Nora is a Kindergartner

One sticky hazy humid morning in late August you started kindergarten. It happened in a whirlwind. There was some anxiety and un-sureness from you. I was ready for a hard year with lots of emotional reactions. Your two teachers were ready, knowing that you put too much pressure on yourself to know what to do ahead of time and you become upset when you don't know / can't predict / imagine what the expectations or outcome will be. You have a complicated psyche but one that I understand well. 

I let you go (pushed you in) with tears in your eyes. I was met by my colleagues comforting me with, "Are you ok, Mom?" and "She will be fine." 

But, 90 seconds after pushing you in the kindergarten door crying, your teacher popped her head out into the hallway where I was greeting other Lower School students and exclaimed, "Nora's doing great! All smiles!" 

I peeked in and there you sat at one of the tables with two friends laughing and chatting away. No worries. No sadness.

And that is so you Nora. You build up a situation in your head and then you sit down and everything is fine. You find your confidence and you blossom. 

What I wasn't expecting was how fast and how easily you have blossomed into a kindergartner. You have matured and taken leaps I couldn't imagine just a few weeks ago. Although, I should have seen the writing on the wall, when one August morning, I quickly showed you how to tie your shoes and talked about finding the bunny hole. Daddy too, showed you a few days later. You attempted a few times. But I didn't want to stress you out or cause you worry before starting kindergarten. Until one day out of the blue about a week after showing you how it's done, you tied your shoes. A fluke, probably. Then you did it again. And again. Then all on your own, you figured out how to double knot your laces. You started kindergarten knowing how to tie your shoes proficiently and it has been glorious not tying your shoe every morning.

Kindergarten has been alot like learning to tie your shoes. You just sort of absorb it all and apply it. We are 4 weeks in and already you are already working on 1st grade math level. You are reading and writing and singing and drawing realistically and imaginatively. You are making up stories and games and trying new things fearlessly. I am so taken aback at not only how fast you have adjusted but also how you simply devour information and ideas.

Tonight we chatted alot about class and homework and books and friends. Daddy was dealing with Lucy. We snuggled and sang and talked. You are so sweet and so loving and such a joy. Tonight at least. You talked about what you want to do with your life. On Mondays, you are going to be a doctor. On Tuesdays, you will be a kindergarten teacher. On Wednesdays you will be a veterinarian. On Thursdays you will be a makeup artist and Fridays you will be a librarian. Finally, on Saturdays, you just want to play dress up. And I know that this scenario for adulthood is quite unlikely, but Kindergarten is all about possibilities and dreams. It is about play and discovery. It's about finding a love of  learning and growing to love yourself and others. And, let me just say, if anyone could pull off 5 careers and still have a day for dress up, it would be you Nor.

Because if the rest of your life is anything like the first month in Kindergarten, you will be unstoppable. 

You came home with this sticker on your jumper after the first day of school. I wanted to take a picture and save the sticker in your "baby box" but you immediately tore it off when you jumped it the car and ripped  it. Neurotic me, found a jpeg image online and added your name. I don't think the reality of having a Kindergartner struck me until I saw you wearing this sticker. 

First Day of School 2014

Your classroom is in the building with the clock. To the left of the white columns on the first level. I love thinking about you in your classroom learning and playing.