Today was Kyle'e FIRST DAY in 1st Grade.
He's been anticipating this day for over a year, when he realized that he missed the cut-off to start last year.
Early in the Summer, he graduated from his Goddard School (this time for good...) Kindergarten class. That was quite a day - we were so proud of his progress and happy that he had made so many friends - and had such an impact on his teachers. It was a very emotional day for all of us...
Since then, excitement had been building toward today. Kyle, Dylan and Ashley all attended the "Y" camp again for the summer and had a blast. They really enjoyed all of the activities and the field trips (for the boys), too.
Last week, we were fortunate enough to take the California vacation that we had to postpone due to Ashley's medical issues upon her return from China. We can't believe that was (2) years ago! The upside is that we really think they all appreciated the trip even more, since they were two years older and were not completely jet-lagged from a 12 hour flight from Hong Kong.
We had a wonderful week <Check here for Pictures after we get a chance to load them up>. We spent time in San Diego, saw the Zoo, did Legoland, and visited LaJolla, then we went to Los Angeles to Disneyland & D.'s California Adventure, and had a fun time everywhere (excepting a small number of mini-meltdowns).
We flew home on Saturday and had Sunday to recover (and to let the excitement build even more for Kyle).
Back to First Grade...
Mom took today off from work, to make sure he got to school and settled in.
He was all chattering as they left the house for the 2.5 minute drive to school, but Mom noticed a strange decline in the level of chatter as they got closer to school - until she shut the car off - that when I think it hit him (and there was an awkward silence). They walked together up to the sign in desk, and Kyle began to well up - it was very overwhelming -- new place ("I don't know where to go...") - new kids ("I don't know who'll be my friend - I don't even know any of them.") - new teachers (this isn't Goddard School) - and no Dylan and Ashley...
Once she signed him in and looked down to his little face the dam broke for him...and soon for her as well. He didn't want her to go and she didn't want to leave him like that - so they were immediately assisted by a very nice teacher who, along with Mom's help, was able to help him pull it together. He was able to say good-bye to Mom, and he walked away to his first first grade activity: coloring.
Mom picked him up a little early and he seemed very content and pleased with himself that he was able to redirect his day to be a very good (and memorable) one. By the end of the afternoon, when we reunited at dinner-time (over Mom's Mac & Cheese), we was confidently chattering again, telling us about all of the great stuff he did, about all of the new parts of his school, about his new friends and classmates, about his new teacher...and paying special attention to explaining 1st Grade to Dylan and Ashley.
And so it goes...Kyles's over the hurdle, he's on his way, he'll be fine.
As for me & Mom...we'll never be the same.
What an absolute joy it's been to watch him grow into the little person he is.
Thanks for visiting.
Dad
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