Kindergarten 101...Make that 102

Today was Katie's first day of Kindergarten...again.  We're having a "grow" year and having Katie do Kindergarten again this year.  So today was actually her second first day of school.  I won't go into a long explanation of why we decided to hold her and how hard of a decision it was.  Instead, I'll give you the short version.  Katie just turned 6 years old...she was the youngest Kindergartner last year...academically she was high...she needed a year to gain self confidence and mature (eventually it would've caught up with her)...we decided to do it in Kindergarten or not do it at all.

Katie on her first day (right before Hurricane First Day of School hit)

What a difference today was.  She walked right in, found her cubby, found her desk, looked around at her friends at her table, said "hi", gave me and WM a big hug and kiss, hugged her brother and sister goodbye and sat down and started coloring her coloring sheet.  Waved to me as we walked about with a big smile on her face.  Last year we left with her crying.

Katie at her desk...how cute is she??

I can't wait to watch my girl blossom.  She's always been the youngest in her class, even throughout her day care and pre-school classes.  She was always at least 9 months younger than most of the kids she was with.  It'll be interesting to watch her be one of the older ones.  I can't wait to watch her be the leader I know she is.  I think we'll see great things from her that will last throughout her lifetime.  It's amazing what gaining a year of self-confidence can do.

Patrick giving Katie a bye bye hug.

Did I come home and stew and worry about things?  Absolutely...I worry that her classmates from last year will see her in the hall/lunchroom/recess and say mean things to her about her not going to 1st grade, I worry that she'll get bored and misbehave or become a "know-it-all",  I worry that she won't make close friends like she did last year.  I know that most of these are useless worries, but it's still the concerns I have as a mommy.

But I was so proud of her today.  My hope is that today I saw a small glimpse of the great things to come.

I was proud to be her mom!

And even though I hated the monsoon that hit, right as it was time to go to school, I was glad that it disguised my tears...tears of pride for my little girl who is growing up.

Growing up too quickly, I might add.