Kaitlin was really excited for Kindergarten round up. She has tagged along to school, helping in Kindergarten class, and other events. She has played at recess and is familiar at school. The staff in the office know her and a few teachers as well. I remember taking Matthew to Kindergarten round up. Warily eyeing the staff, the teachers...sizing them up and wondering if I could trust them with my precious boy. Asking about what happens when he gets off the bus? Yes, I realize he is walking all of 15 feet into the school in a row with all of the other kids, but who makes SURE he gets inside? I was so worried. Handing this child, for whom I had carefully guarded all of his comings and goings, over to strangers was simply against my instincts as a mother. Yes, there had been pre-school. But it didn't feel like this.
For Kaitlin, it was a whole different story. I'm no longer suspiciously eying the staff. I've grown to love the school we attend. I've worked hard at befriending Mrs. Duley (pictured above) who is the attendance secretary and the school "grandma" in a sense. Mrs. Duley won my affection when I observed her calling a little girl over to her desk, asked her to stand with her arms to her sides, then told her that her shorts were too short and that they should not be worn to school again. When the girl walked away, I approached her and said, "As a parent, I want to thank you for enforcing the dress code." She smiled and said, "It's my thing!" And we've been friends ever since. I have to pester Mrs. Duley a lot with our comings and goings from school and she has been great. Andrew gave her flowers on the last day of school and said, "Thank you for taking care of us." She replied, "I love to take care of you."
She spotted Kaitlin in line when we arrived a the round up, called her by name and said, "I have something for you!" It was so sweet to see her so welcoming to Kitti. Being that this was my third Kindergarten round up, I knew to go early, and NOT follow the instructions on the sheet to head to the cafeteria, and instead went backwards to the Kindergarten room where we'd have the place to ourselves. Which we did. We had a nice chat with Andrew & Matthew's previous teacher and Kaitlin got to see the baby chicks!
Then we headed to the cafeteria where all the specialists were set up. The librarain looked at me and said, "You must be Matthew's mom. He looks just like you!" Kaitlin loved being the participant in this day rather than the tag along. It was quite special.
The thing she was MOST excited about was the bus. We live in the walk zone, but our kindergarteners have a mid-day bus (and then I pick them all up from school). We are the last stop on the route and so it's just a little 3 minute ride up to the school, which is the perfect, thrilling length for a 5 year old. She has watched both Matthew and Andrew take the bus and has stood on the corner as we've watched it zoom away.
But not today.
Today, Kitti rode the bus. However, the poor thing was not feeling well, but I didn't realize it. She had mentioned her tummy hurting but then would seem fine. I think she was so excited for the day that she rallied. And until we got on the bus I had no idea she was sick until she sat so quietly on the bus. I asked if she was okay and she said her tummy hurt, but I still didn't realize how bad she felt. Since infancy it has been hard to tell when she is sick, she just keeps smiling and rallying through.
I love this picture of her. It brings back memories of this same ride with the boys. A practice run for their little step of independence that is to come.
Kindergarten is a big deal. It's dipping their toe into the waters of the big world before jumping in. I am not the least bit worried about Kaitlin and her transition next year. She is ready for school. She is confident and social and I have no doubt she will make friends and will just easily fall in step with the structure of school.
I think it will be hardest for me...I am not ready to stand on the corner by myself and watch her climb the bus stairs, look for her face to appear in a window and wave to me as she drives away. I'm not ready for a quiet walk back to a quiet house. The thought of it brings tears to my eyes. I know I'll adapt and probably even grow to love my quiet time. But the thought of it now puts a lump in my throat.
We got off the bus and ran to the van, changed clothes and took Kaitlin to ballet. It was parent viewing night.
We arrived and Kaitlin went out to dance. They started with tap....
Kitti ran to me and sat down in my lap and said her tummy hurt. I took her to the bathroom thinking that was it, and sent her out to dance again...
She ran to me again and asked to go home. It's not like my little performer to not want to put on a show, so I knew she wasn't feeling well and took her home in the middle of class. She ended up throwing up the next morning as we were walking out the door to take the boys to school. I felt terrible as I really had no idea she felt that bad. She ended up missing the 2 days prior to the last day of school. It was definitely a bummer, but I was glad she made it to Kindergarten round up.
