Week One Down

The much anticipated first week of Kindergarten is done!  Only 39 (or something like that) to go!  I was lucky enough to be invited for the first day so Jack and I made a day of it.  We dropped his brothers off at school and raced back home just in time to meet the infamous bus driver.  We weren't taking the bus on this day but I wanted Jack to see him and for him to see Jack - and boy am I glad we did!

We still had a little time to kill before the 10am start so we headed to Caribou for a very grown up beverage.  A coffee for me and a very berry smoothie for Jack.  After an in depth conversation about where bugs go when they die and what they do up there (of which I explained that bugs have their own heaven because they are not invited to the people heaven), we headed to Jack's new home away from home.  He was excited and raring to go!  We made our big debut and the festivities were all coordinated very nicely.  After crafting a Clifford the Big Red Dog project together (see below), Jack and his classmates were escorted off to do something fun while Ms. F talked to us parents about all the boring stuff.  Upon their return, we did a scavenger hunt and visited the playground and lunch room.  We left at Noon feeling very excited - in fact, Jack didn't want to leave at all - I think he would have camped out until the next morning had he had the choice.

That's a good looking Clifford!

It took everything in me to just stand back and watch - he seemed so little.

This slide rocks!

  Next up - Some Mommy/Son bonding.  We made our way to the mall to pick up new school shoes for Jack, went to lunch at a good 'ol fashioned diner, did a little clothes shopping, hit the rides, and most importantly, got Jack's portrait drawn (as you can see above.)  Cute, right?!?  Looks just like him (albeit it does look a tad creepy in photo form.)

Wednesday was the first full day of Kindergarten, which meant the first bus ride home.  The bus ride was really the only aspect Jack was nervous about.  He didn't understand how he was going to find the right bus and get off at the right stop - he seemed to be pretty convinced he'd end up in California.  I assured him there would be helpers and I'd be waiting at the stop but nothing seemed to convince him, he just needed to experience it for himself.  Here comes the bus (btw - gorgeous day, or what?!?)

 And here comes the kindergartner.  The driver had to say his name about 4 times before it occurred to Jack that this was his stop.  He was literally glowing as he approached, and I don't mean from the sun.  It was immediately apparent what a great day he had and boy did he have a lot to share.  He started with his bus buddy - I nice young fella from his class named Malkup.  I said "Malcom?"  Jack: "No, Malkup."  Ok.  Jack and Malkup made a deal with each other that they'd sit together everyday.  How comforting!  By the way, come to find out his bus buddies name is indeed Malcolm. :)  

Jack continued to tell us about his whole day.  Another BIG highlight was the foot long hot dog, with two white packets of ketchup, and the fact that he got to eat it WHOLE!  I've always cut his hotdogs in half the long way so to Jack, this whole hotdog was the unofficial, or maybe official, leap into bigboyhood.  There was nothing he didn't like about his first day of Kindergarten and couldn't wait to go back the next day.