Off she goes ...

Today is the first day of Kindergarten for Jules and it was full of excitement and some trepidation. Last night she was bursting with excitement as she made her lunch, pushing me out of the way to make her own sandwich and packed her teddy bear in her bag for teddy bear week. This morning when I woke her up, the first thing she said was "mom, since the school bus drives sort of slow do you think I can sleep on it?" Apparently she wasn't so excited about getting up at 6:30. Our morning went well, breakfast with banana bread we made yesterday, brushing teeth, hair, getting dressed ... all things we have been practicing and adding to our morning since we have always been able to drop the girls at Marcie's in their pj's and she did the whole morning routine. Lily isn't one to be left out so she is doing everything right along Jules. We got outside with plenty of time for a couple of pictures before heading to Marcie's. The walk to the bus only takes a couple of minutes and Jules wanted Marcie and the little kids to walk with us this morning so we headed off to the bus stop where there were lots of other kids. Jules kept to herself while we waited and after a little while the bus came, it was running a few minutes behind which didn't really surprise me. I was surprised though at the ease with which Jules gave me a hug and headed off to the bus! Lily and I blew her kisses as I tried not to cry.

Lily was excited on the walk back to Marcie's and talked about how Jules is going to go "listen to Gregory" and how next year she is going to go "listen to Gregory". Jules' teacher is Mrs. Gregory and Lily has taken to just calling her Gregory. She is convinced that she is going to school next year, although she has a few years.I left Lil at Marcie's and headed to the school to be with Jules. By the time I arrived she had already gotten off the bus and was standing with the other kids in her class. I enjoyed the moment of just watching her, she was taking it all in and not quite ready to jump in and talk with other kids. When she saw me she headed straight over and waited with me until her class was heading in. Her trepidation started to show at this point when she didn't want to let go of my hand and walk in with the other kids. Eventually I convinced her to do that and met her in the classroom. Because her bus and some others had been running late her class had already started their morning activities. Jules found her seat and put her backpack away before she wrapped herself around my legs again. I wanted to cry with my little girl but had to continue to be excited as I helped her go over to the reading rug to sit criss-cross applesauce with spoons in the bowl (cross legged on the floor with hands in your lap). Moments later, with a sort of heavy heart I blew my little girl a kiss and walked back to my car.

I know that Jules will have an amazing time at Kindergarten and I am so excited for her. I can't wait to hear her stories tonight. I will bottle up these moments because they are coming too quickly. While I have never been home with the girls I have always had the knowledge that they are just down the road at Marcie's and know the home that they are spending their days in. This is a weird feeling to not know what Jules is doing at any given moment and that from here on out her days are her own. I am so excited though for her to make new friends and memories.

Good luck, Jules, you will do great in Kindergarten. I am so proud of you!!!!