Violet started Kindergarten yesterday. Two years ago when she started at Bear Hugs, her teacher, Miss Jen, told me that I would be amazed at how much she would change, and she was positive Violet would go to a regular Kindergarten. I didn't admit them then, but I had my doubts.
We all walked with her to the bus stop. Later she would tell me that riding the bus was her favorite part of the day because she got to do it twice.
She met Josh, the other kid who gets on at her stop. When she saw him again today, they were like old friends. He is in 4th grade, mind you.
Violet: Hey Josh, how do you find a lost rabbit? You make a noise like a big carrot!!!
Josh: heeeheeeheee
EEEEE! Here it comes! Here Comes The Bus! Yes, it's a short bus but Violet is quite happy with it. The aide is named Bernie, the driver is Cheryl, and her seatmate is Kimberly. She is first on the bus and she sits by the window. Oh, and it is Van 4.
Violet waves goodbye to Jason and Stella and off they go.
Someone is not too happy about all this. Aw, don't get your panties in a bunch. Stella goes to school, too (though not on a bus, much to her dismay).
Her first day was a full week before Violet's. Violet and I drove her to school so Violet could be the big sister and show her what to do.
Violet: "And you go down the path this way, but don't go on the wall and don't go on Mr. Rob's grass..." as though Stella has not done it a thousand and one times before when we dropped off Violet. Stella has been chomping at the bit for about a year to go to preschool.
Stella settled herself right in and started on her 'work'. Violet gave her a hug and kiss goodbye. What this picture doesn't show is the roar of crying toddlers. Stella was one of the few who wasn't bawling. Even Miss Jen's daughter Kellsie, who has been in every class since she was born and lives upstairs, had eyes brimming with tears. It was downright awful, but it made my leave taking that much easier (and quicker, definitely quicker!) Stella was the one crying at the end of the day as I was dragging her away.
I can't believe my kids are so big. I find that the time during which Stella is in preschool goes by ever so quickly (I have a lot of bon bons to make up with dontcha know).
What throws me is the days when Stella and I have nothing to do. No schedule, no driving every which way to therapies, no lunch on the run. It is very, very weird, and I think we are going to get used to it pretty easily. We all heart Kindergarten.
