A First First

Caden’s first day of first grade...sigh. This is no easier for mom and dad than Kindergarten...harder I think. The big deal this time of course is Caden is starting full-day school for the first time EVER. This is how it will be from now on, most of his waking hours in school now. I will say only this (and this is dad speaking), I hate that this is the reality. School is going to be the lion share of his life for a long time. It is almost heartbreaking for me to see this little kid being forced to grow-up like this...‘nough said...I am on board and will be excited with him.

And he is very excited. We had his meet the teacher night and it was a good primer for what was to come. I think it made us all (sniff), feel a little better (sniff). So, his first day of school...mommy lost it. Had to be said. I cried some (on the inside), but mommy had the hard sobs for a good hour afterwards. And I don’t blame her for a second, it was a tough morning. Caden woke up ready to go, but there were some nervous tears and lots of nervous laughter. He was excited to get his new batman shirt on and get on his bike and go. And go we did...all of us on the bike and right to school, a good half hour too early. But that’s okay, we got to play on the new playground and get in the groove. But what seem liked seconds later, the bell rang (well the bell was broken, but the announcement came) and Caden lined up looking strong and ready to go. And just like that, he marched in confident as ever into the rest of his life leaving his parents (amount 100’s of other parents) in a stunned (sobbing) silence.

So dad went to work, mommy went on a teary bike ride with a concerned Molly as we tried to pass the time until pick up...6.5 hours from then (BTW, shocked he goes to school almost as long as I go to work). 2:15 rolls around and we bike back to school too fast for our own good. We were pacing outside waiting for him to be released (really pathetic actually), and bell rings (it worked!) and out he comes first in-line and?....he was so happy. So happy. And even more than happy? So tired. He looked like he could pass out right then and there.

The questions poured out from mom and dad like crazy...what did we learn?

-He has three recesses...morning, lunch, afternoon

-He eats lunch with his class in the cafeteria (and today he did not eat nearly enough to power himself through the day)

-He learned where the bathroom was (and used it)

-He sits a table with Eliza, Owen and some poor kid who was absent today!

-He like his teacher, Mrs. Evans, a lot

-He has a special crate for all his things

-It was really long

-He was picked first to do the mystery bag (he filled a bag with four things that describe him and the class had to guess who it was)

-He drew a picture of himself on the first day of school

-He had to skip swimming lessons cause he was so tired

-He is ready for day 2...wow

Anyway, as I am prone to do, below are two pictures: first day of Kindergarten and first day of 1st grade. Click on either picture to see more on this day, or remember back to one year ago. So proud of you Caden.

Caden, accessorized and ready for 1st grade