First Day of Kindergarten

Madison had a big day today. It was her first day of school at both schools. Madison will be going every afternoon to Countryside, Kennedy's school, as she calls it. She will also be going two mornings a week to St. Marks for a math and science class. She is very excited about that one because our Pastors wife, Bonnie Barber, is one of the teachers. After two years of doing five half days for preschool, she was ready for something more. This seemed like a great addition to her Kindergarten. It gives her a little something more but still leaves her a few morning a week free to sleep in and have play dates with her new friends from Countryside. I know she will have a few new ones already when she gets home today. She is the one that makes friends easily. Madison was so excited to go to school until a few days ago. This morning she got out of bed and came to eat breakfast. She wasn't eating, so I sat down next to her and asked her what was wrong. Wrong question! She put her face in her blanket and started crying. She said she was scared to go to school. After a nice long talk from both Greg and I, she was ready. I am sure it helped that she started her day off with Mrs. Barber. A familiar face is always nice to see in a new situation. Things got mixed up with the buses, so this week I pick her up and take her to her other school. However, next week, the bus will pick her up at St. Marks and take her to Countryside, so it will truly be two FULL days for me too! She thought is was pretty cool to eat lunch at St. Marks with some of the other kids. Lunch Bunch is apparently pretty fun!

First Day of Kindergarten. Mackenzie the ham can't be left out of a single picture.

Trying to act all sad!

There's her cute smile!

By the tree outside of St. Marks Day School.

Outside Countryside waiting for the buses to arrive. Her teacher told all of the kids to bring in their favorite stuffed animal. She brought in Snuggles her horse that she was bribed with at Shawna's wedding.

The buses were very late today, so the girls waited on the benches outside the school. I can't imagine why they would be so late! Imagine all the kids riding the bus for the first time and most of them probably scared and some crying. Mom's taking lots of pictures of them next to the bus, getting on the bus, buckling them up, crying as they wave their kids off to Kindergarten. I can picture the scene. In fact, I am sure I was that scene at one time. Now do that for each kid riding. Oh, boy! I am sure it will be much better tomorrow.

Madison somehow made it to the front of the line even though when they first lined up she was about fourth in line. Anyway, here is a, not so great, picture of some of the kid in her class. It is really nice, the kids get off the bus and the teacher is waiting for them. They have a door in their classroom that goes directly outside, so the kids don't have to go through the somewhat confusing hallways. At the end of the day, each kid riding the bus will have a fourth or fifth grader that will pick them up from their class and walk them to their bus. Most likely it will be someone on their bus so they will help them get on also, before the other kids are allowed on. Not that I am a worried/nervous Mom, but for those that are, these are some great safety features they have for the little kids.