Well, there she is. Big girl, off to her first day of full-day kindergarten. We're no strangers to first days of school 2011, 2012, 2013. But, this year is a big deal! (Every year is, isn't it?!)
We've spent a while getting everything prepared--clothes, school supplies, name writing, organizing closets, etc. Monday was the highlight. Ed and I took her out to lunch--Red Lobster (her pick)--and then I took her shopping. We went to Target and the thrift store. We got all the clothes she will need for her first semester, shoes, socks--everything she needed for a complete Kindergarten wardrobe. And she brought her birthday money along to buy a barbie playground for herself, a doll for Adelaide and a princess makeup wardrobe for Evelyn--and saved the rest.
She was extraordinary company the whole day. It was so fun to see what she chose for her new clothes (she picked a LOT of leopard print!) I enjoyed spending that time alone with her, hearing about what she's been thinking and feeling about school, and just being so proud of how big she's gotten, her nice manners, and how clever, kind and generous she can be.
She's going to have a great year!
She has a new heart print back pack, a matching umbrella, a butterfly lunch box, and a closet full of new school clothes that she picked out.
She chose this dress for her first day. It was the first thing she picked out when we went shopping and she says that her favorite pony, Twilight Sparkle, would wear exactly the same thing, if she were a human going to kindergarten. (Which is a pretty glowing endorsement, obviously!)
We got up this morning and had the breakfast she requested--apple waffles and turkey bacon. She got dressed and ready for school. We took a few pictures and we all popped right over to school to drop her off.When we got there, she marched right up to her teacher and said good morning! Mrs. Ramey asked Matilda how she was doing today and Matilda answered that she was feeling a little nervous. Mrs. Ramey said she was a little nervous, too, but that they would have a fun day. Matilda perked up at that. Then she saw her friend from day camp, Adalee. They were so excited to be in the same class, they gave each other a huge hug and chatted together while they waited to go into the building. Minutes later, a friend Matilda met at the playground play date a couple days ago, Meela, also arrived--I can tell she'll have no trouble finding girls to sit with at lunch or play with at recess.
Parents weren't allowed inside the building today, so, when it was time to go, Matilda just picked up her huge supply pack and marched in line into the building to start her first day! She is so ready.
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Ed and I went together to pick her up. She had a GREAT day! She chatted on and on about her art class, her two recesses, stories they read, games they played and the friends she is already making. Her teacher is lovely and she is off to a spectacular start! We got milkshakes for everyone to celebrate a fantastic first day. No homework today... for her. Ms. Ramey sent me 2 forms to fill out and some light reading--the class handbook and a poem that made me cry. Twice.
Now we just need to decide if she's ever going to ride the bus or not!
