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Kindergarten Finally…

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First Day of Kindergarten Finally….

As I opened my eyes, sunshine and warmth streamed through the room, as well as the sound of my name being called out.

“Mommy!”

I looked over at the clock to see that it was only a little after 6 am and still pretty early yet for a Wednesday morning.

In checking to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, hallucinating or imagining this, it was Emma, who was had a giddy excitement for the first day of kindergarten calling out to me.

She didn’t need to be up though for at least another hour or so and after checking on her to find, she was smiling from ear to ear.  Yet, I had her stay in bed and rest up for the first day – her big day.

When it was time to get up, she had fallen back off to dream land and had to wake her.  She woke happily and ate, got dressed and was ready for her first day without much ado.

I couldn’t believe how easy it was to get her off and running for the first day.

Seriously, for the baby who made so much noise and fuss with colic, the little girl going for her first day for school was anything but noisy or bothered by much about what the day was to hold in store for her.

The night before, we watched the Frozen ABC special (what would you expect from the kid that is Frozen addicted) and colored a sign for her to hold up in pictures.  She might have gotten a bit of blue marker from helping me with this activity, which was supposedly washable, but after scrubbing her hands with soap was obviously labeled incorrectly, but I digress.  Still, she had fun and that was all that mattered.

Emma 1st Day of Kindergarten

Proudly holding it up to let all know she finally made it to the first day of Kindergarten!

Once she was indeed all ready, she headed outside for the time had come to finally be off for her first day.

I was informed that even though she could be driven to school for the first day, she was having no part of this.  

See, she is a big girl now and the big yellow school bus that fascinated this tiny pre-schooler, who may have been small in stature when she first started pre-school two years ago had this huge and confident presence even back then, telling me back then that she couldn’t indeed wait to take the big yellow school bus and no longer have her mommy drive her to school.  

I will be honest, it seemed so far off when she spoke of this and tried my best not to think about it then, but here we are in the present now and the reality is here and happening now.

Emma waiting at the Bus Stop

And the wait was on for the big, yellow bus…

So, what did I expect?  

As she walked onto the bus and all I could see was her frozen backpack distending upwards, I held my breath while a small part of me let my first born navigate new unchartered waters with her first ever real big yellow school bus ride.

Emma Getting on the Bus

And upwards she went…

I looked to see if I could see her face as the bus took off for school for that first time for Emma, but she still is so petite that you couldn’t even see her little cherub face staring out the window, just the top of her head.

The bus finally pulled away and we did what was allowed for us by the school and followed that yellow bus all the way to school.  

Recapping #successful first day of #kindergarten finally for Emma last week’s #backtoschool

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The school, thankfully, allows for all parents to meet the kids up at school to see them off to their classroom for the very, first day of the year (all grades not just kindergarten).

We made it just in time to watch as Emma came happily skipped and sprinting off off the big yellow school bus – winning so far – with the first bus ride resulting in glorious smiles…

All Smiles Coming Off the Bus

Thank god for bus ride smiles!

And then, it was time to walk on by and join her kindergarten classmates to enter the building as an official kindergartner..

Walking into Kindergarten for the First Time

Finally off she went into school for the first time as a full fledged kindergartner!

I left a piece of my heart there in this moment and day.  As I left her, she was happy and completely in her element – kindergarten finally!

I immediately made sure my phone was on and not one phone call from the school that first day.  Texts from Kevin and family to see how all was going, but nothing from Emma.

My girl, as she has been telling me all summer, is a big girl now and on one hand, so proud of her and on the other, wish I could make time stand still for just a moment.

Great News!!!

I want to thank all that voted for me for the VoiceBOKS Stay-at-Home Moms for 2014.  I actually was ONE of the TOP 10 and am so overwhelmed by all the votes and support I got for this. To read more about myself and the other Top 10 SAHMs, click here.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Jhanis says

    Aaaw. Such bittersweet moment! Atta girl Emma! And you did well too Janine. 🙂
    My three year old has been insisting that she is a big girl now and should ride a school bus too. LOL

  3. Tara Newman says

    So exciting for all of you! I love how their backpacks look 12 times too big for them. By the end of the year they will have grown and will fit them a litltle better. Bitterweet this motherhood thing is…bittersweet.

  4. Bev says

    Aww, so exciting! Emma looked like such a proud kindergartener. I hope the rest of the days are as easy to get her up and going as the first one!

  6. Karen says

    That’s so great that she had such a good first day of school. I know when the time comes for my daughter I am going to be a bundle of nerves, especially about the bus. I don’t know why that scares me the most! I love her Frozen backpack and lunch bag!

  7. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    CONGRATULTIONS for getting in the top 10 blogs!! Way to go!! I told you everyone loves your blog. Anyway, I am glad Emma had a wonderful day at school and everything went o.k.
    She looks like a big girl getting on that bus.

    Have a great week!
    Blessings,
    Diane Roark

  10. Seana Turner says

    She is such a little peanut – the backpack is almost as big as she is… she is just ADORABLE! Sometimes they just surprise us by their independence. What a blessing to have such a positive first day experience. Many more firsts to come! (that owl name tag was too cute for words….)

  12. Lisa D says

    Glad all went well with her first day. I remember Mom telling me about Maria getting on the bus the first time. The bus driver was afraid they would fall so she insisted they all take their backpacks off as they got onto the bus. lol They are so big but before you know it those backpacks will fit perfectly. Hopefully Lilly will see what Emma did and not be scared next year when it is her turn. Hopefully they both keep liking school as they get into the higher grades. Love to everyone.

  14. Carrie Groneman says

    What a FUN post! Boy, I remember those days – bitter sweet. Have a wonderful day my friend and truly, as hard as it to let them go, you will be amazed at the cherished memories to come. Carrie

  15. Rosey says

    Aww look at her so cute for her first day. And I laughed at not being able to see her face in the bus window. They seem so little to be in school, don’t they? 🙂 Glad she got up so easily and was excited.

  16. Bill says

    The memories continue to pile up. I would have gotten teary-eyed when she got on the bus. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this big moment with us.

  17. Alexa says

    That must have been so scary to put her on a school bus for the first time!!! It’s an exciting and emotional day! Looks like she was thrilled! Yay Emma!

  18. karen says

    congrats babe!!! WOOOHOOO

    How exciting for Emma…what a great journey and experience. Anthony just loves it and today now starts full day…he gets to have gym today! WOOOHOO

    I was sad, now I’m so excited and happy to have him start learning and growing.

    I know Emma will rock!

  21. Pure Grace Farms says

    How precious. I am sure a very bittersweet moment for you too. Thanks for sharing Emma’s special day with us.
    Blessings,
    Shari

  22. Jen says

    Oh my goodness, what sweet photos! Getting on the bus for the first time, oh my! Thanks for sharing her special day with us.

    P.S. We have now watched the making of Frozen show 2 times 🙂

  23. another jennifer says

    Love it! She looks so cute and happy. Biz went off to his first full day of kindergarten today. Can’t wait to get him off the bus. He was nervous at first, but he was excited to do today. Yay!

  26. Dana says

    Love the huge backback on such a petite little girl! I’m so glad she had a great first day, and I hope it made you feel a little better to know that. Soon you’ll both be kindergarten pros 🙂

  28. Kim says

    Oh – I’m so glad that she was so happy and excited – that makes it at least a tiny bit easier for MOM when there aren’t any tears. I hope she is enjoying every day and all of her new experiences just as much as that first one!!!

  31. Tamara says

    That photo of her walking in.. is that with other kindergarteners? That’s how Scarlet looks next to her classmates! My cute peanut! I love our girls!
    Scarlet said her second day was even better than her first day. Whew. I still have not even remotely come close to being used to this life.

  32. Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says

    We waited so long for this moment, we almost didn’t want it to come but its here!! She looks super adorable and you know I know exactly how you feel, my kid has been in school for 2 weeks now and I still feel weird! I don’t know when its going to get better!

  34. Rea says

    Aww Janine. This makes me think of Reiko too. I’m never gonna be sure how to deal with it but you did great!! Even with the breathtaking moments, I’m sure it’s hard for you. And it’s funny how moms get more nervous than their kids, isn’t it? And wow, kids have big bags! Lol.

  35. Aunt Gloria says

    I had tears welling up as I read this. It’s tough watching as the kids move on….even though we are happy they are progressing as they should. My heart is with you Janine as you watch Emma take steps to independence! Glad she’s doing so well….and hope you are getting used to the new routine. Eventually, you will have more time for yourself and that’s the bonus! Love to you all……xxxxxooooo

  39. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    Emma looks adorable! I am also happy her first day went well. I am having a difficult time with my son being a senior. Times flies by so fast. It was truly hard to read this post. My eyes are full of tears. I will miss him so much when he is at college. Get lots and lots of love and hugs because she will be a senior in high school very soon. Times flies for mothers.
    Blessings,
    Diane Roark

  43. Chris Carter says

    Oh Janine!! What a gorgeous post full of all that a mama’s heart could be for that first day of Kindergarten!! I love that girl and her beautiful spirit and excitement to be a BIG GIRL!!

    What an incredible new beginning for THE BOTH of you!! Bittersweet, I know. But I think more sweet than bitter, yes?

  45. Brittnei says

    So glad you won! I voted! 🙂 Look how adorable Emma was! I relived the emotion and excitement I had about school each year with her when you explained how she was and how she felt. I’m glad she enjoyed her first day. 🙂

  46. Elizabeth says

    Janine, my little ones started kindergarten this year as well. They were so excited and came home so happy! It was a stretch for my mama heart, but it was wonderful for them!! Love the sweet pics of your girl!!

  47. Denise says

    What a cutie! Kindergarten is harder on the mom, but your kiddo will LOVE it! Hey, thanks for visiting the Mommy Needs a Timeout and linking this post with us last week. We’re doing it again on Wed. at 8pm Eastern–we’d love it if you drop by again! Find us at BeerandGluesticks.com

  48. Denise says

    Janine:
    You won our Rafflecopter drawing at the Mommy Needs a Time-Out linky party! You’re in the Time Out Chair! (Don’t worry, that’s a good thing.) This post will be featured in our newsletter and on 9 blogs tomorrow when the new party is announced!

  49. The Pinterested Parent says

    Perfectly geared up with her Frozen backpack & off to her first day of kindergarten, could it get any cuter? How are you holding up mama? You have to do it all over again with Lily next year. Oh my! It is so sweet how excited she was for her first day. I bet she had some great stories from her first day.

  50. catherine gacad says

    what! i want a recount. you should have been #1!

    this post brought me to tears. your little baby is all grown up. such a confident girl and happy to go to school. she done raised her right 🙂

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