First Day of School - First Grade!

There are definitely times in your life when you realize your kids are growing up way too fast. Going back to school seems to be one of those times for me. I thought Zach was growing up way too fast when he went to preschool. Then it seemed even worse when he went to kindergarten. Well, he started first grade on Thursday and you can imagine how much it seemed he was growing up! All day at school - it can't be already! But it is and he was so excited!

Mrs. Winter is his teacher this year and after meeting her at back to school night, we were so happy with her and her classroom policies. She's very organized, ready to work, and always willing to make it fun.

Zach had trouble sleeping the night before the first day because he was just so excited. He's like me and craves a schedule and being challenged intellectually. Summer is so unscheduled and with the way work has just been so crazy and busy for me this summer, there definitely hasn't been much stimulation. So I think he was more than ready to head back to school to start learning again.

Hailey and I walked him onto the playground to make sure he knew where he was going - he easily found the line marked with his teacher's name and was so happy to be the first one in line.


After the bell rang and it was time to go in, he followed his teacher and had a smile on his face the whole way.


What a big boy!


Hailey and I followed with a few other mothers at the end of the line to make sure he made it and was settled into his classroom. He made it just fine and wasn't anxious for us to stay any longer, so we started to go. Well, needless to say, Hailey had a REALLY hard time leaving - I practically had to drag her out of the classroom. Then when I got her into the hall, she started crying - A LOT! I had to pick her up and carry her all the way to the car with her sobbing. Poor thing, she wanted to stay so badly! Notice I didn't say she wanted Zach to go home with us, she wanted to stay with Zach - I think she could have cared less where I was. I teared up just a little bit as we were walking out of the school, but having to concentrate on her kept me from thinking too much about leaving Zach there. So I guess maybe it was a good thing.

I had some shopping planned to keep both of our minds off of Zach being at school and it seemed to work. She and I had fun and by the time we got home, we were both just fine. We did have a little bit of a tantrum (Hailey, not me) in the afternoon when we didn't go and get Zach and bring him home before lunch, but I think in another week or so Hailey will be used to the time and be ok.

It's hard to think that Zach is now in school a full day instead of just half day like in kindergarten - that means he'll spend more time at school than at home and awake with me. It's so hard to let go, but he's having such a fun time and I wouldn't want him to not have all the fun he's having. His newfound joys are 3 recess times, eating lunch at school, and getting to play on the big kids playground (not the fenced in kindergarten playground). He's loved every minute of it and I love to have him come home and tell me all about his day at school.

You're getting so big Zach, Dad and I love you and are so proud of you!