Kenan's first day of Kindergarten

Kenan started Kindergarten today! All the anticipation leading up to this lead to a case of the first day jitters this morning. He told me that he was really nervous. He said "I've never been on a school bus before" even though he'd been so excited to ride for the last 2 years. He was concerned that he wouldn't find his teacher and that he didn't know where his classroom was. While getting dressed, he worried about not being able to fasten his pants at school after he goes potty. And he said he would miss me very much. Oh Kenan, mommy is going to miss you very much too!

Yesterday I got teary eyed about the thought of him going off to school all day long. He said, "mama, I'm only going away in the morning and I'll be back after school and run and give you a big hug when I get home! I love you mama!"

Last night he didn't want to stop hugging me because he would "miss me so much." He told me that he was bringing me to school with him so that he could play with me.

After much reassurance and me tucking kisses into his hand* he was dressed and ready for his first day of school! The bus comes at 8:31 a.m. and all the kids were ready to go at 8:00 a.m. So we went out and took pictures.

When he got to school he got off the bus and was so excited because there was a girl that he met yesterday on the same bus! They held hands the whole way into the school and the whole way to their classroom it was adorable!

I cried throughout this morning, but when I start to get sad I just start to pray. Whatever I'm thinking at the moment about Kenan's day or Hannah or Timmy I try to turn into a prayer. I really thought of all the kids, I'd jump for joy the day Kenan was off to school, but really I'm not. He's growing up and I know it has to come. He's a challenge at times, but he's such a joy to have around most other times. I sometimes look back and know that I'd do things differently with him. I would react differently to somethings, but then I think I loved those years with him at home and how special they were. I don't remember a lot of the "bad" times. It's amazing how that is so true! I was always told that the "bad" times will be soon forgotten and the good times will stick with us forever. I never really understood that until my kids started off to school. I was also told to enjoy those early years because they go by so fast. When I'd hear that, I'd say yep, they sure do! But until Hannah started Kindergarten, I never fully understood what it meant either.

So, as I look back on these last 5 or so years with Kenan at home I can truely say I've enjoyed 99.9% of those moments and that other.1% I have forgotten.

*The Kissing Hand