1st Day of 1st Grade

What a roller coaster of a week! I had a hard time saying good bye to summer. I loved our lazy mornings with breakfast sometime after 9 and morning swims. And when I have a little more control over Luke's world, life seems a little more manageable and obstacles seem a little smaller. But we can't live in summer fantasy world forever. Reality is calling.

And just days before school started, Luke was consistently pretty bored with my list of summer entertainment options. It was time.

Tuesday morning we were up bright and early and ready for a brand new year.

Luke selected his patriotic Life Is Good shirt. His teacher is Canadian. But I'm sure she appreciates his patriotism. :) The shoes are brand new. He's pretty sure they make him run faster and jump higher.

First big kid back pack. Last year he carried the standard issue kindergarten tote, designed to spot a kindergartner from many yards away. He's a big kid now.

Ready to go. Probably the only day we'll be ready early.

Getting ready to enter the classroom. Starting to look a little nervous.

We met his teacher last week. She called each student and setup a time for us to come by, see the room, and do a little reading. Lamar and I listened as Luke identified letters, sounds, sight words, and read two books and then answered some comprehension questions. Mrs. H declared him a great reader. I enjoyed hearing their conversation and realizing once again how far he's come. Then Mrs. H took his picture. Luke asked to see her camera. Then Mr. Audiovisual reviewed all her photos and showed them to me.

But the classroom seemed a bit more intimidating on Tuesday morning when filled with students.

But he found his spot and got right to work. He looks only slightly mortified that I'm photographing everything.

Despite the great kindergarten year he had, and despite being at a wonderful school full of loving teachers and staff, I was on pins and needles every moment of his first half day of school.

But 3.5 hours later I picked up a very happy 1st grader (the sun was just really bright).

Last night Mrs. H sent all the parents an email with a class photo from the first day. The kids were rocking out with cardboard guitars they'd made. Luke was front and center in full rock star mode. Perhaps just a bit too comfortable for the first day.

But a few nerves had returned this morning and Luke was full of questions about lunch. He had anxiety about lunch most of last year. This morning as I dropped him off, I saw one of the special ed aids in the hall. She asked how Luke was doing and I mentioned his apprehension. She said, "I'll be praying that he has a great lunch today." Love our school!

I pleased to report lunch was "awesome" today. So, 1st grade. Here we go!