The Scientist

And summer is coming to an end... I don't think we even made it to the beach, not even once, this summer. To kick off back to school, here's a backtrack to last school year --> I looked through all the papers, projects, etc that the parents received at the end of the school year and came across this gem of a notebook. Emilia's first science research notebook!

And I thought Kindergarten was all play. This kid knows more than I do about every day animals that live in our sandy shores.

Kindergarten : A Big Kid

My big kid.

The week leading up to the FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN was all nerves for me, the mama. One would think its not that big of a deal, since E has already been in pre-K/daycare for a few years now. BUT this transition did feel very nerve-wrecking. What if she didn't like the school? What if she gets bullied? What if there are too many students and my kid won't get the attention or the help that she needs? What if the bigger kids at school deal drugs to the little kids? What if she gets lured away by a stranger? What if?? What if?? What if she wants school lunches (unhealthy) now instead of eating what I pack her? As you can tell, my stress and anxiety levels were topping the charts.

I spent the latter half of summer drilling her over stranger danger, acquaintance danger, heck.. even people you know danger. We practiced playground bullying scenarios and how she should handle it, simple self defensive strategies to keep her safe. etc. Then there were simple things.. we practiced her opening her lunch thermos by herself and drilled her on being responsible for her own things now. We go over healthy eating and what I consider is healthy. I know its Kindergarten, but you know, it seems like a big step for more responsibility and independence than from Pre-K daycare.

Long story short, what do you know, the day went smoothly without a hitch... who would have thought? =P

E was definitely ready for Kindergarten. She already seemed like such a big kid the way she went about the morning of the first day of school! She woke up earlier than the set wake up time and came to wake up the parents. She had picked out her clothes the night before and gotten herself changed and ready.

I prepared her food for the day, healthy snacks and lunch, and reviewed with her on how to open the thermos again, and how I organized her food. And yes, even though she's only 5, she rolled her eyes at me and said "I know mom. You told me already."

Banana, Strawberry, and Kale Smoothie.

Lunch box with a "1st day of grade K note".

Proud mama.

All of us went to see Emilia off for her first day of school, including Liam. First thing they both did was run off to the playground. Nope, no school jitters here.

Daddy's girl.

One of the first kids into the classroom to find her name tag and sit down.

Most of the kids were wide eye and curious. Afterall, this was new to them. A few kids cried and their parents had to comfort them. Parents lingered around to take photos, and finally the teacher said to the kids "Wave goodbye to your parents". She waved to Ryan, Liam, and I, no problem. Emilia was definitely ready for school. I, on the otherhand, had a hard time leaving. Luckily I had Ryan there to drag me out.

School has been pretty smooth sailing so far. She loves going to school and tells me how great her day is.. even though she doesn't remember what she learned or who she played with. And as for my healthy food for her, she's been eating them. She makes her own decision on whether to take the daily snacks that the school provides (usually some kind of crackers), and sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn't. I'm happy that she likes the green smoothies I make her, enough to request for them!