I love Kindergarten!

Published on September 12, 2005 By HC1240 In Home & Family

That's it. The last of my children has entered the world of academia (ok, if you consider coloring and being read to academia). People have been asking me questions all week: Did he cry? Did YOU cry? How does it make you feel to have your baby go off to school? How does Noah like school?

1. He didn't cry. He found his friend Mia and the two of them have been inseparable ever since, requesting each and every day if one or the other can come over to play. Without much more than a wave over his shoulder, Noah trotted off into the next phase of his life. No, that's not exactly true. He did sign "I love you" on his way into the classroom.

2. I did not cry. Truth be told, I got home and clicked both heels together in the air. LOL. He's the last of three, and for the first time in 5 years I had a two and a half hours of uninterrupted silence. My housework was done by ten! And the house actually STAYED clean! I had time alone to read Scripture, meditate and pray. No. I didn't cry.

3. My emotions are mixed. I didn't realize how much Noah had grown up until I saw him dressed and ready to go: pleated trousers... button down collared shirt... loaded with backpack. Somewhere along the line he went from toddler to young man, and I'm a bit melancholy over the fact that I can't put my finger on exactly when that happened. It feels like I missed something somehow, and yet I know I haven't. I was blessed to have been able to stay home with Noah full-time for all of his life. With my girls (16 and 10), I was a single mom, and not afforded that luxury. It's been a joy to spend each day with Noah, getting to know him, watching him become the person he's become. And still - time seems to have slipped past elusively. On the other hand, I look forward to what the days ahead hold for me. More time to study and focus on my relationship with the Lord, more time to tackle housework that I've put on hold for what seems like an eternity, and the possibility of re-entering the work force.

4. Noah loved the first day of school, but not nearly as much as he loved the second day. We drove him to school Tuesday, but on Wednesday he got to ride the bus. I've never seen him so excited! LOL... His exact words were, "I can't believe it's finally here! I've waited for this day my whole life!" - and so he has. Each year he has sat at the window and watched his sister get on that big yellow bus, just itching for his turn. I asked if it was everything he thought it would be. "Yes, and I even kept hitting my head against the window when they went over the bumps!" There ya have it. All is right in the world of five-year-old Noah.

My favorite thing about kindergarten is the way my son greets me when I go to pick him up each day. In spite of the fact that I have been home with him most, he is still a daddy's boy. He adores his father and if Joel is around, I'm chopped liver. I can deal with that, I guess (although if I said it's never bothered me, that would be a lie). Ah, but at the end of each class, I receive my gift. I watch the hallway, waiting for his teacher to lead the class out, single file. Since I have the advantage of being there first, I spot him immediately. I watch him searching the crowd of parents, seeking just one thing - ME. The way his eyes light up the second he sees me is worth a dozen hours of playing second fiddle to his dad. With a burst of enthusiasm he spreads his arms open as wide as they'll go and he runs - yes, runs - as fast as his little legs can carry him. "Mama!" he yells as he throws himself against me and hugs me with a fierceness that takes my breath away. Yep. That's my favorite part of kindergarten.

Comments (Page 1)

Chaos Manager

on Sep 12, 2005

Okay, so there are a few moments that you miss as a homeschooling family.

Glad to see that joy is there. Just wait 'til he's in middle school. "Maaahmmm! Do ya have to walk so close to me? The guys might see you!!"

Keep up the good work with him! He's going to appreciate it. Eventually. Probably about the point that he's got his own kids.

I know I was that way. Never appreciated what my brothers and I put my mom through. Now ... I'm living it.

Cheers!

KellyW0498

on Sep 12, 2005

My last son out of 3 boys just went off to kindergarten and his name is Noah too! I now have a son in high school, middle school and elementary. It looks like that will be it for you to next year. Crazy.

I had mixed emotions on his first day. He also became a little man seemingly overnight.
Time flys by. Most the time I'm o.k. with that.
nice blog.'
Kelly

HC1240

on Sep 12, 2005

Okay, so there are a few moments that you miss as a homeschooling family.

I homeschooled my oldest girl for three years... but she had a year of kindergarten first. I enjoyed homeschooling, but once I became a single mom I couldn't work AND homeschool. In the end, she turned out well... I have more confidence in our public school system than I had originally. Just got an awful teacher that first year, I guess.

I know I was that way. Never appreciated what my brothers and I put my mom through. Now ... I'm living it.

... my friend's mom loves to laugh at me dealing with my teenage daughter. I'll be completely exasperated with something one of my kids has done and she just chuckles, muttering about poetic justice under her breath. Apparently Jodi and I weren't angels growing up.

nice blog.'Kelly

Thanks, Kelly!

HC1240

on Sep 13, 2005

Noah and Mia on the first day of school...

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 13, 2005

Okay, so there are a few moments that you miss as a homeschooling family.

I dunno...can't say that I miss it, particularly! (lol!)

HC1240

on Sep 13, 2005

I dunno...can't say that I miss it, particularly! (lol!)

Did you homeschool your kids, Gid? Or were you homeschooled?

foreverserenity

on Sep 14, 2005

That's really great HC. They grow up so fast! He's a good looking young man too!

Chaos Manager

on Sep 14, 2005

Did you homeschool your kids, Gid? Or were you homeschooled?

If I remember right, Gid homeschools (or did). I'd have to go digging back through his 'blog entries to make sure.

I dunno...can't say that I miss it, particularly! (lol!)

Eh, I don't really miss it either. Especially since my 5 year old (who started his Kindergarten work this year) called me at work to tell me that he just finished reading his first book!!! Yeah! It was hard to tell who was more excited, him or his mom!

We figure, worst case, she'll have a headstart on Kindergarten next fall. Best case? She's a year (or more) ahead of where she's "supposed" to be.

Gotta love kids that are excited to learn.

Noah and Mia on the first day of school...

Looks adorable. Better watch it, though. Mia's already got that "He's mine" look on her face.

HC1240

on Sep 14, 2005

That's awesome! I remember Noah's sister (Jasmine) coming home from kindergarten the first day upset because they didn't teach her how to read that day.

. Noah's got a good start... he sounds out words on his own. When *I* tried to get him to learn letters and phonics he wanted nothing to do with it. Give him a stinkin' leap pad and he's all over it... go figure.

It's even more interesting when you toss my daughter (turned 4 in April) in to the mix 'cause she's learning everything he is. She begged and begged to be able to start, so she's learning everything he is (with no problems ... We figure, worst case, she'll have a headstart on Kindergarten next fall. Best case? She's a year (or more) ahead of where she's "supposed" to be.

That's wonderful!

Looks adorable. Better watch it, though. Mia's already got that "He's mine" look on her face.

... one of my girlfriends saw the pic and said the same thing! She does look a bit possessive, eh? Actually, they got together for their first playdate Monday and it didn't go so well. She wanted to play "kitchen" and he wanted to play with the computer. It seems they couldn't agree on anything. Trouble in paradise.

Chaos Manager

on Sep 14, 2005

It seems they couldn't agree on anything. Trouble in paradise.

Gee, that sounds like me and my wife on a number of days.

We've been happily married for almost 11 years now, and loving every minute of it.

Moderateman

on Sep 14, 2005

watch that mia girl , she has a gleam in her eye. that spells trouble for your son. lol

HC1240

on Sep 14, 2005

Gee, that sounds like me and my wife on a number of days. We've been happily married for almost 11 years now, and loving every minute of it.

Glad to hear it! Congratulations on having love that lasts.

What fun would life be if we never disagreed over anything? Personally, it drives me nuts when someone can't ever decide on what they want but instead say, "Oh, whatever you think..." I like to get my own way as much as the next guy, but I also love that my husband has a mind of his own.

watch that mia girl , she has a gleam in her eye. that spells trouble for your son. lol

LOL... doesn't she, though?

InBloom

on Sep 14, 2005

I didn't catch this article the first time around, but I am glad I did.

It is great that your son is adjusting to school so well. Kids his age are like sponges, absorbing every little
thing they learn and every little experience they have. He is adorable, btw.

InBloom

on Sep 14, 2005

double post

HC1240

on Sep 15, 2005

Kids his age are like sponges, absorbing every little thing they learn and every little experience they have

Don't I know it! His vocabulary amazes me. Example: We were snuggling in bed the other day and his dad came and told him it was time to get up. Once he left, Noah says, "He disturbed me." I said, "What?" He repeated it... "I was sleeping so well and he disturbed me!"

He is adorable, btw.

Thanks!

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