Last Thursday was bittersweet. On the one hand, I knew that you were ready – ready to move on to a new school, ready for new challenges, ready to be a big kid. On the other hand, you love your preschool, your teachers and your friends. Walking to school on the final days, I would catch you singing a little song to yourself about how you were sad and how you were going to miss your friends and teachers. That broke my heart.
We talked about your new school over the summer. We talked about how it would be different. You made a card and drew a picture for your new teacher.
On the morning of the first day of school, you woke up excited. We picked out a nice shirt for you to wear – but not a picture day shirt you insisted (i.e. polo shirt). We packed your new lunch bag and backpack, and took some pictures with Everett. We discussed what time we needed to leave the house in order to get to school at 8:50am on the dot.
After Everett left for school, I found you lying in your bed having a conversation with Bunny and Baby Bunny. Baby Bunny had been your companion every day at preschool and you were telling him that he would have to stay home. You looked at me and said, “Mommy, I’m really excited about school but I’m also nervous.” My heart swelled and I told you that that was OK and that it was normal to feel that way.
You took my hand and we walked to the door. As we stepped onto the elevator, I started getting sad. Usually, I don’t get emotional at times like these but I did this time. Maybe it’s because I knew that you were ready, to be a Kindergartener.
When I came back to pick you up, your teacher opened the door and I saw that you and your classmates were sitting on the rug, your little heads peaking up above the bookshelf. All I saw was a huge, sparkling smile on your face. You ran out the door and said, “Mommy, I love Kindergarten.”
{Linking up with Alison and Galit for Memories Captured}





















I can’t believe he’s already in kindergarten!
Wonderful that he loves it – yay!
Thanks for linking up with us.
Alison recently posted..Memories Captured – September Link Up!
Oh my gosh, you are quick!
Thanks for prompting me to capture his first day of Kindergarten. I can’t believe it either.
Awww that made me a bit teary! How Beautiful! I’m glad he loved it, kids are so sweet the way they sing and talk to themselves.
It is so super cute when they sing songs to themselves! He caught me watching him and he got a little embarrassed but it was the sweetest thing. I too am so glad he loves it!
Absolutely adorable!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Buzz: Tap Water Is Bad For You
awwwww LOVE this. You are such a loving, sweet mom!
Jess recently posted..20 miles: fought, and surrendered
Thanks Jess! He totally amazes me and surprises me sometimes. I’m not sure where he came from but he’s the sweetest thing – most of the time!
That first day of kindergarten is so special! In my town, there is one central kindergarten and then the kids split up for 1 – 4 primary schools so I had another new beginning with my son AGAIN this year for first grade. His first day reminds me a lot of what you wrote about! What a beautiful memory captured!
ilene recently posted..I Got Your Back
Oh no! I can’t imagine having to do the first day at a new school again! It was really special and he knew that it was a big deal and I think that he felt proud of himself. It’s been pretty sweet.
I just hope Baby Bunny was OK at home without him! wink wink
May recently posted..The Story of How I Didn’t Poison My Husband
We were all happy to come home and find that Baby Bunny had survived the day OK. I do think that he more fun at home than at school since he had Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and an assortment of other “friends” to play with!
You just put a tear in my eye! It’s so bittersweet to watch them get older. I often want to freeze time and keep mine just where they are at any given moment.
misszippy recently posted..Glycogen depletion run update
I agree – I too would like to freeze time when they are being super cute and sweet. I don’t know what it was about him starting Kindergarten but it made me realize all the more how quickly this time will pass.
I hadn’t cried once today…until now. Jasper’s talking to his baby bunny and then his warm welcome just did me in. He is such a sweet boy, Christine. You are a wonderful mommy and in shows through him!
Kristen recently posted..Body Care Introduction and Giveaway
Jasper’s conversation with Baby Bunny killed me. It was the cutest, sweetest thing ever. I know that he was doing it to reassure himself but his heart is so full of love sometimes which is such a stark contrast from his curmudgeon of a little brother
Oh my gosh…seriously? I DO have a tear in my eye! Callia sat next to Nicky on her first day of school and told him that she couldn’t go to school with him anymore and that it was OK for him to miss her. I don’t think he really cared, but it was soooo cute. Sigh. It goes so fast.
Michelle recently posted..NYC Century Bike Tour – 35 Miles of "Watch out!"
Awww! I love that – when the older one tries to reassure the younger one and tells them, “it’s OK.” I actually surprised because I think that Everett is a little sad that he and Jasper at at the same school this year. They used to see each other during recess sometimes and one or both of them would report back that they saw each other at school.
CHRISTINE! I’m seriously CRYING right now. Your words are so sweet and you captured the innocence that our little ones have.
I’m so glad that he had such a successful first experience…that is all we can hope for!!!!
Hope you guys had a wonderful weekend!!!
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Best Week of Pregnant Running (38 weeks)
Thanks Michele! I had no idea that this post was going to make people cry! You are absolutely right – the innocence of our kids is pretty damn incredible. We had a good weekend and I hope you did too!
I was not expecting to come over hear and start tearing up! Beautiful post… what a sweet little guy. I love the part of the story where he’s telling baby bunny he has to stay home.

Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Core strength: Can we skip the crunches?
Me too! I literally stopped in my tracks when I overheard him talking to Baby Bunny. He’s been most concerned about Baby Bunny all summer.
awwww!! that is so sweet!!!! I love that he loved his first day! I remember LOVING kindergarten, so reading this really brought me back to that time. so cute!
jobo recently posted..Scratching the surface.
I loved Kindergarten too! I too am so happy that he is enjoying school so far. I can only hope that this continues!!
Thanks for the tears lady!
Beautiful post! It’s so bittersweet to see our babies growing up and becoming more independent.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Chasing the Runner’s High
It’s pretty amazing to watch them become more and more independent. I was so amazed when he was little and started becoming more autonomous but it’s a completely different story watching them function and real little people.
Sweet sweet post! So glad he loves Kindergarten!
Jen {at} take2mommy recently posted..Cookie’s Kids: Your One-Stop Shop for Kids’ Fall Fashions
Thanks Jen! I too am glad that he loves it and loves school in general.
Happy Kindergarten! My baby started this year, too. He’s been in preschool, so it isn’t that huge of a shift, and we’re all loving it here. Glad your little guy is, too!
Jester Queen recently posted..A Modest Proposal (No Babies Will Be Eaten In This Blog Post)
WAAAAAHHH
why are they growing so fast?!
xoxo
Miz recently posted..Im going GONG HEALING.
I’ll echo the other comments…that image of your son talking to his stuffed animals was too precious. They are still so sweet at this age. Enjoy it. I know it doesn’t seem like it…but he is still terribly young.
Jamie@SouthMainMuse recently posted..Saturdays shifting away from the beach.
My little guy just started kindergarten too. Bittersweet indeed. xo
Lisa Rae @ smacksy recently posted..Last Night
This is a beautiful post! I’m actually teary!
Ruth recently posted..Live. Simply.
Oh, how I can relate. My oldest just started kindergarten and it has been strangely bittersweet. I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal, but it sure was/is.
Christie recently posted..An Amalgamation of Memories
Ohmyheart, I *so* understand the bittersweet here!
We’re so happy for them, and yet.
Yet.
We know what a BIG transition this one is!
Your little guy is pure adorable, and your Mothering Heart? I’m sending all sorts of love towards it!
Galit Breen recently posted..Memories Captured September Linky!
So sweet, that conversation with his bunny! I´m glad he loves kindergarten.
Mirjam recently posted..Nature’s breeze