First day of Kindergarten

Its a bit after 10am..Thomas has been in school for almost 2hrs now!

We both did fine this morning! I cried when I got back to my car (and a little while I walked him to his classroom..I saw my friend Mary crying walking out of school ~ that started my tears!).

Thomas put his lunch in his cubby, his bookbag on the hook and sat in his chair to start coloring (his absolute favorite thing to do)! I took one more picture, gave him a kiss, chatted w/his teacher for a minute and than left. As I walked out I picked up a poem that his teacher had left for the parents (next to a box of tissue)...I will share the poem (but change the "her" to "him")

He started school this morning

And he seemed so very small

As I walked there beside him

in the Kindergarten hall

And as he took his place beside

the others in the class,

I realized how all too soon

Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw him as

He first learned how to walk.

The words that we alone made out

When he began to talk

This little boy so much absorbed

In learning how to write.

It seems as though he must have grown

To boyhood overnight

My eyes were blurred by hastily

I brushed the tears away

Lest by some word or sign of mine

I mar his first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with him

And keep him by the hand

To lead him through the places

that he couldn't understand

And something closely kin to fear

Was mingled with my pride

I knew he would no longer be

A baby by my side

But he must have his chance to live,

To work his problems out,

The privilege to grow and learn

What life is all about.

And I must share my little boy

With friends and work and play;

He's not a baby anymore-

He's in Kindergarten today!