It all started last week. Last week, my friend Awkward Mom (that is her blog name, she is very funny and I will link to her kindergarten adventures so you can compare) attended a
kindergarten meet and greet. Her experience turned out pretty good, but it also made me nervous about our school meet and greet scheduled for the next day. I took my gigantically preggo self, 5 year old Chazzy Chazz, and 2 year old Dessy Dess. When we arrived the pointed us towards the kindergarten section after handing us two popsicles on sticks. The kids were thrilled by the popsicles for about 5 seconds before they remembered that they don't know how to handle popsicles on sticks. I can't decide if this is because I have failed them as a mother, or if it is because I have succeeded hugely. I am afraid of food on a stick, because I don't want a sliver in my tongue. However, how will the children learn to file the stick into a shiv if I never give them that opportunity? I used to do that all the time when I was a kid. Anyway, I was stuck holding two melting popsicles as we found the teacher. She was very nice and made a big deal about Chazz having a good name. Then I went off to meet other moms and let the children play on the playground. I didn't meet any new life long friends. One group of women talked to me a little bit about how I looked like I was about to pop, but as soon as I pointed out our kids might be in the same class, they stopped talking to me. Another woman started talking to me, but only to tell me about her home daycare. Overall, that one was not a great time.
The next kindergarten event was the last day of daycare. Chazz has been going to the same wonderful daycare (Grandma's place) since he was 6 weeks old. They have taken amazing care of my children and I feel that they really love them. On Chazz's last day, he took cookies and was very excited for his last day. The wonderful Ms. Connie took Chazz and Maika (the other soon to be kindergartner) to Chuck E. Cheese. They had a wonderful time, but everyone realized at the end of the day that they would miss each other and it got emotional for everyone. I have pictures, but they refuse to upload.
We had a wonderful low key Labor Day weekend, and then it happened. The big day came. The
first day of kindergarten happened. We did great. The Chazzster doesn't like sandwhiches, so unfortunately I couldn't make any of the cool things displayed on pinterest. Instead I cooked some dinosaur shaped nuggets the night before and put them in his lunch. We took the adorable first day pictures on the porch. Chazz put his arm around his sister's shoulders and when I said, "close up on Chazz" she put her arm around him. They were adorable. We walked to the bus and Chazz got on like a trooper. Dessy Dess lost it at that point. I don't think she cared about missing her brother. I think she cared that she didn't get to go on the bus. She had her back pack on and everything, she was ready to go. I sent her off to daycare with daddy, and I headed to the school. I got there just in time to catch the Chazzster getting off the bus. We found his class and he wiggled in through the crowd. I was going to leave, but I saw that all the other parents were staying. At my gigantic size, it was not easy for me to wiggle into the room, but I managed. Chazz was already on top of things, hanging up his backpack. I showed him the spot with his name tag where he was supposed to sit. He sat down and just started coloring with the crayons and paper they had left at his seat. I asked him if he wanted me to stay a while, or get out of there. He said, "Get out of here." That was fine. I can take a hint.
As I was leaving the room, a woman I recognized walked in with her daughter. I think she is from swimming lessons and I think that they change next to us in the locker room. I was happy to see a familiar face, but it is a little weird to think that our kids have seen each other naked. When I picked up Chazz from the bus stop, I think I saw the same woman drive by with her kids. SO maybe she is also our neighbor and I never realized it.
Overall, starting Kindergarten was a success. Chazz came home with nothing but good things to say. He made at least one friend, if not more. He loved all the recesses they got. He loved lunch and snack time. He came home with a mountain of papers for me to fill out. His only semi complaint was that music class just had a bunch of songs. I am wondering what he expected that to include.
Tonight is the PTO snow cone party. It kind of sounds like torture to me. Maybe I can play the "I am pregnant and delicate" card and skip the whole thing.
Did your first days go well?
