Kindergarten

Kindergarten. She's been so excited and I've been basically ignoring the fact that it was coming. I already miss her, and can't help but feel that this is just the beginning of the end. The beginning of the end of my complete involvement in her life. Have I prepared her enough? Have I loved her enough? Will I be able to be a good enough mom to her through this next phase of her life? But she is such a wonderful girl and is so ready for this next adventure, and so- with hope and prayer and faith, we are going to make the most of this new adventure together. 

My friend, Abby Corbett, said it perfectly so I'll steal her words: "To go through this transition painlessly would take away from the past 5 years of sacred work and the incredible bond between us and our firstborn. So, we will cry a little today and maybe some tomorrow too, and as always we will enter this new phase of parenthood hopeful and prayerful. All our love to you, Lydia, on your very first day of Kindergarten. We are so proud of you and can't wait to see all the things you will learn and do." 

Lydia has Miss Johnson for her teacher, who seems really nice.

The night before her big first day we laid out her clothes and David gave her a Father's Blessing to help prepare her for this big step in her life. He also gave me a blessing to help me feel prepared and peaceful. 

The next morning David made her a special breakfast with the special "It's your A Day mug" and we asked her to take pictures with us, then she was headed off on the bus!  She gets to ride the bus and leaves at 8:50 in the morning and gets home at 12:25 (for 9:10-12:00 school). She held hands with our neighbor Lily and was just so big and excited getting on the bus heading out on this great new adventure. 

I'm really glad that she has some good friends from the neighborhood who will ride the bus with her. They are good at taking care of each other, and I hope it stays that way. It's been good for my mama-heart because she's come home several times talking about someone who didn't have anyone to sit with on the bus and how she moved over to sit by them. We've spent a lot of time talking about making sure everyone has friends and how to be a kind friend. 

We are so proud of you Lydia! We hope that you will be able to learn a lot and be successful in your classes. We hope that you'll learn to work hard and be kind. We hope that you never lose the happiness that glows from within your sweet self. This is a new adventure for you, and it's going to be great. Always know that no matter how far you go, we will be right here for you.

**Brief update: Lydia comes home every day saying "Kindergarten is SO great!" Like, every day. It's darling.**