Kindergarten

September 2nd was monumental in our home as it was the first day of Kindergarten for Peter. I can't believe it's already come to this! The first day wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think it's because Elsie had the melt-down for me. Peter and I rode our bikes to school, and I put Elsie and Kimball in the Burley. Elsie saw Peter getting ready and thought she would wear her back-pack as well. I kept reminding her all morning that only Peter was going to school and she got to stay home with Mommy. When she tried to follow Peter into the school with back-pack and all, I realized the concept had not hit her. She cried and cried, and I comforted. Peter didn't even want me to walk him to his class - he was too big for that. There, not so bad.
The first day wasn't so bad, nor the second day either. On the third day the teacher had them meet in a reading lab before they went to the classroom. I was not fully aware of this, or where the lab was. In the confusion, I lost Peter. I got nervous, thinking he was lost in this big school and could be in any classroom. Finally I found him, and he was right where he needed to be, doing what he should. About half an hour after coming home, I burst into tears. I guess I finally realized how big Peter was, how independent he's getting, and how I need to let go a little bit. As a mother, I'm always preparing my kids for the future: kindergarten, 1st grade, teenage-hood, mission, college, marriage, etc. I guess a mother should be excited when these monumental markers come and your child succeeds. However, as the days fill up with chores, errands, and fun times, I forget the days are coming and going, and can never be relived. So, when Kindergarten came smacking me in the face, I was shocked. Could enough days have passed already for this? Could he really be ready? Have I taught him all I should? Yet, I'm proud of Peter and all that he has become in these past 5 years. He shares, he's thoughtful, he's obedient (usually), he's super inquisitive, and he's a great older brother. I couldn't ask for more. Motherhood can be so heart wrenching and so fulfilling all at the same time.