And so it begins

To my new Kindergartner,

I walked in your room the day you started Kindergarten and just watched you sleep for a couple of minutes. Your innocent expression of just sweet dreams and slumber filled my heart with love. I looked at you and saw the sweet baby we brought home, the toddler I would snuggle with at night until you fell asleep, the preschooler whose body was growing into a real kid yet still kept the curls and chubby of a baby, and now my big boy. All thinned out and starting to thicken up with muscle. I saw each of "you" in that face, and it made me so happy.

We have come a long way. I tell everyone that I thought we would never make it. From walking to talking clearly to jumping with both feet to fine motor skills to potty training (UGH!) to writing to reading to behavior to seeing, all those obstacles YOU surpassed with flying colors. I'm so proud of you, my heart is just so full.

And now I send you into a new world. A world of new beginnings, new friends, new obstacles, new personalities, new pressures. But you are a NEW you (with glasses!), and I know you can handle all that this world will throw your way.

I'm sad that you go every day. I can't "wash away" the schooling off of you and make you become my baby those days I have you home. You are now required to have your "school hat" on. Every.day. And it will be tough - it's tough for all of us - but you will quickly find your spot, your schedule, your routine, and make it shine.

I hope the teachers love you as much as I do. I hope they see the sweet boy that I love. I hope they can move past the stress of dealing with 20 children at a time and just love you for you. You won't get that forever, but when you do, embrace it with all you have.

I didn't cry because I know you can do this. I'm not scared, because YOUR confidence is so contagious. You can handle it. It's okay. And I'm okay.

I'm so proud of you. (I think I've said that about 20 times.) This is a big step. But you walk with your head up and your shoulders back, so those steps don't seem so big.

So go get 'em G.

Love,
Momma