First day of first grade....

She woke up so easily anticipating the daily tasks: get dressed, eat breakfast, do your hair, brush your teeth, walk to the bus stop...

I woke her up just a little early so I could make her a special breakfast. After offering her so many choices of her favorites, all she really wanted was a bowl of Froot Loops! We enjoyed breakfast together talking about how many recess's we thought she'd have and how excited she was to try "hot lunch". She wondered who would ride her bus and if any of the kids she knew in Kindergarten would be in her class. She dressed then we did her hair, she actually let me leave it curly and she wanted a head band. All I could think is that she is growing up too fast! Her little hands were shaking with excitement as she pulled on her socks and her new "Twinkle Toes" shoes she wanted so badly. We walked out the front door a few minutes early so we could take a few pictures of her carefully chosen ensemble and brand new backpack. How can I handle a whole day with out my little girl? My buddy. She eyed the big kids at the bus stop carefully, wanting to prove she was a big kid too, but still staying close enough to me because part of her still needed her mommy. We saw the bus turn the corner, she frantically gave me a few quick kisses goodbye and got in line to board the bus. I think she shouted goodbye at least five times before boarding! What a bitter sweet moment, to watch my sweet 6 year old acting so grown up, climbing the stairs in the bus and choosing a seat so that she could wave out the window. She had the biggest grin and her hands were waving goodbye in speedy little motions. I felt like chasing the bus for another kiss, but embraced this moment of maturity for my daughter.
I waited impatiently all day to ask her all the appropriate first day questions... but once she hopped off the school bus her reply was "It was so boring" and "Mom, I don't want to talk about it!" I know from my experiences teaching preschool, that those responses usually mean, "it's my time away, it's my place to call my own, I'll talk about it when I'm ready!" So I waited some more! She finally did open up and say "Mom, Boedy told me he loved me today". I said, "He did? What did you say?" and she replied with blushing cheeks, "I said.....well, I didn't say anything." She proceeded to tell me how he went down the slide with her and put his arm around her. Her daddy didn't take this news as gracefully as I did! Then she followed with "Mom, all the boys love me, 'cause I'm the prettiest girl in the school." Wow, I thought, at least self esteem isn't going to be a huge factor this year! Then she went on to tell me that they shouldn't call school lunch "hot lunch" 'cause her corn dog was cold, and if she was going to have cold food she should just have "cold lunch" from home. This girl really knows what she wants! That's my girl :)