And so it begins...

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09/08/2011. The day my life changed forever. The day I became the Mommy to a "School -aged" Child. As I'm typing this post I find myself at a lack of words. What direction do I take with this post? Part of me is overwhelmed by the change. Part of me is excited. Part of me is sad. Part of me is in denial. But most of all, I am proud.

There is never a child that can touch your life so deeply as your first born, because with all their firsts, come your firsts. I'm also starting to realize that there is never a child that can touch your life so deeply as your last baby, because with all their firsts, come your lasts. As I'm sending one off to Kinder and another is leaving "babydom", I have never been more aware of this fact. My heart is currently in three pieces, and two of them are walking around outside of my body. Part of me wants to pull those pieces back in and hold them here, within these four walls, forever. The other part of me knows that they are amazing people and I need to share them with the world.

On 09/08/2011 I shared with the world - or at least the Hillsboro Public School System. :)

Every step of the way the past 5 years I have looked back and just been amazed, felt blessed, and enjoyed the feeling of my heart bursting with pride. Every time this happens to me I feel I will never feel this feeling again. I will never be as in love with her as I am in THIS moment. THIS happiness. Not true. Every time I reach a major milestone with Abby, I'm surprised by my level of love for her. Amazed by this wondrous child that I have been blessed with. This day was no different.

Here she is, my Kindergartner:




She was VERY excited and I feel it showed. I was so happy to capture these moments and faces!

We took a few more photos "for mommy". I needed to get in some cuddle time!!!




Then it was "off to school". We all piled in the car, kept our smiling face on, and headed to school. Here she is. Could she look anymore grown-up, yet so small, at the same time?





They filed us all into the cafeteria and we found the "K" table. There we sat - or stood rather - there we stood. And hovered. They didn't want us to leave, yet we had no purpose. We all chatted and smiled and laughed and introduced. We pretended that we totally knew what was going on and that we were totally okay with it. Ahem.

Finally, the principal dismissed all the classes one at a time. He waited until the very end to dismiss the Kinders. Then. Then that blessed, wonderful man asked us to escort the children to their classroom and get them settled. Thank the Lord - because I needed to leave her at a desk. A desk contained in a room with four walls and a door. I needed to know where she was going to be!

As we made that walk I was so proud. Abby was one of the few walking in line behind the teacher. Abby was walking with her class. She as not holding my hand. She was not pulling back. She was not fearful. At that moment I was VERY thankful for Preschool. She was READY. She could do this. More importantly, I could.

Abby found her cubby, unpacked her backpack, found her table, and was seated at her chair before Travis and I (bringing up the rear) even made it into the classroom. She was ready.




I could do this. I really could. I could totally leave her in this room. She was excited. It was very similar to Preschool. It was fine.

Then it happened. I leaned over to give her a kiss good-bye.
Me: "I love you honey. Have a great day, and Daddy will be here to pick you up at the end."
Abby: "But Mommy, Rachel is riding the bus home. Can I ride the bus home?".
Me: PANIC!!!!

I was NOT prepared for that. But, I WILL say, I handled it well - I think. Actually, I have no idea. It was all a blur. I will spare you the blow by blow of changing the "transportation plan" at the last minute. But, needless to say. She rode the bus home!!!

Here she comes:




Here she is acting all silly because we are ALL there to greet her.




Here is the money shot - and of course it is blurry - errr!




And here she is all acting cool and jumping off of the bus.




Then she fell in the street. It was awesome. Mostly because it made me laugh on the inside. I was a good enough mommy I didn't laugh out loud (this time).