1st day of Kindergarten

So, today was the first day of kindergarten for A.  I set the alarm for 7:30 to make sure that everyone was up, showered, and ready to go on time.  I reminded the kids that we couldn't be late for kindergarten like we were at Jowonio.  I woke up at 7:25 and shut off the alarm because I always feel bad actually waking up my kids figuring if they are still sleeping, they must be tired.  By 7:45, A was suddenly wide awake and excited to get ready for kindergarten.  C slept in until 8.  So, got them each ready, clothes on, teeth brushed, potty, breakfast (which really just means cereal and/or granola bars and sometimes fruit) and then they could watch a show while I got ready.

I was feeling the pressure because it was now 8:20 and I wanted to leave by 8:40 to ensure we got to school by 8:55.  I didn't want to be late, especially on the first day.  I rushed my shower and getting ready and off we went.  A asked me repeatedly to make sure I had his lunch (I did) and his backpack (I also did).  C brought her backpack filled with baby dolls as she was going to my sister's house for the day (thanks again AC). 

We are driving down to get to school when I see the cones.  CRAP!  The road is apparently a one-way road during school hours.  Not to fear, I'll just park and we'll walk a block to school.  A was NOT happy with this as we parked right outside the school on orientation day.  I explained why we parked where we did and that we'd try something new tomorrow so we could park in a different spot.  He was appeased.
 
As we get to the door, I ask him if we can take his picture.  He was NOT in a picture taking mood and did not comply.  I mentioned to him that we could take his picture in front of the big school sign, he rejected that idea. So, I settled for a picture of him by the building with a very sad face.

Inside we go and Ms W says hi to him.  He responds by hiding and burying his face into me.  I was worried that this would not be a good day.  But, we showed him his cubby and he again asked about his lunch (perhaps I should figure out something else for breakfast, but he isn't a breakfast guy).  After being reassured his lunch was in his bag, he went to play.  I went and told him he had to find his name on a table and sit for table work.  He was confused and looked at me puzzled asking, "Mom, did they already have play and learn?"  I reminded him that this was different than Jowonio and that they started their day with table work, not play time.  After about 1 min, he told me he was done with his table work and I explained that he had to sit until his teachers told him he could get up.  He accepted that.

However, that didn't mean he couldn't talk to his table mates, right?  He tried introducing himself and asking others what their names were.  But, the kids at his table were feeling shy and didn't respond.  I told them their names though which helped them all seem at ease.

Finally, it is time for me to leave.  I was worried about how it would go, but I put on a happy face and told him I was going to leave to go to work.  He asked me who was picking him up and again, about his lunch!  I gave him a hug and a kiss, reminded him about where the bathroom was and to be a listener.  He told me he would and that I should be a listener at work and then we said our goodbyes and left.

I heard nothing more until 3:30 when I got a call from his teacher.  It went like this. 
Ms D: "Hello, this is Ms D.  Are you picking up A?"  

Me: "Um, he is supposed to be in the afterschool program at school."
Ms D: "Oh, we thought you hadn't signed him up for today.  Oops, we'll bring him down now."

Of course, then I worried that he'd thought I'd forgot him so I went there to pick him up.  He was happily playing in afterschool.  When I got there and he saw me his first words were "I LOVED IT!"  When asked what he did that day at school, he told me he went to the library, ate lunch and had 2 cookies for snack!  BUT, the best part of his day. . . . "Mom, they have a SCHEDULE!  A really big one that is stuck up on the wall!"  His former Jowonio teachers can attest that the schedule was very important to him and I can report, it still is!

So, all in all, a successful first day. 

~G