Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack and I attended an open house for incoming Kindergarten students.  As we walked up the school’s sidewalk, dozens of “Jack memories” flashed before me.  Memories like bringing him home from the hospital, watching him walk for the first time, getting his first boo boo, saying I love you and those exhausting days/nights trying to figure out his sleeping routine.  How is it possible that Jack will be five years old and beginning Kindergarten soon? As cliche as it sounds, time flies by when you’re having fun.

Prospective students and their parents gathered in the auditorium.  We all said the Pledge of Allegiance (which Jack shouted proudly) and were educated on the Kindergarten syllabus, awards and many other informational facts.  Selected students from the school sang their school song, and we watched a slide show of the Kindergarten class accomplishments.  I was happy to see Jack very interested in what the teachers and students had to say.  I know he is super excited about Kindergarten next year because he often says he is ready for “big school.”

We were able to tour several of the classrooms, along with the library, cafeteria and gymnasium.  Quickly, my own memories of Kindergarten came to mind.  Unfortunately, my Kindergarten classroom no longer exists.  I would have loved to show Jack the classroom I attended.  Our tour was fun.  Both Jack and I saw what every room looked like and also how to find our way around the school.  It was obvious the amount of reading, writing and hands on projects the students are working on, since they were plastered all over the walls, desks and hallways.

Jack loved the desks and the “tree house” like reading nook.  One of Jack’s concerns was getting lost.  I reminded him he had no problem finding his way around preschool and the same would go for Kindergarten.  He thought the school was “totally awesome” and wanted to start tomorrow.  From a momma’s perspective, I can’t tell you how happy I was to hear those words come out of his mouth.  I’m grateful for everything he has learned at home and through preschool.  I can only hope he excels in his educational goals over the next fifteen years and beyond.

From Monday Mom – Melissa:
I have been involved with GrowUpLearning since they piloted this website: so today is a bittersweet day for two reasons. First, this will be my final blog entry. Second, today is my son’s kindergarten registration.

Next week there will be a new Monday mom blogger: a mom who is just about to start her exciting journey into motherhood. Since GrowUpLearning is designed for ages birth through 5 ½ years, my sweet Brady is just getting too old now. So thank you for reading about our triumphs, failures, struggles, and love. I plan to continue reading the blogs to find out what all of these little ones are doing (and their mamas).

Now we are getting ready to head to our 2-hour kindergarten registration. It will be the first time that Brady will be heading to a public school, taken away from the safe arms of mama, and tested. They are given a variety of tests, much paperwork needs to be completed, and we get to meet the staff. While I am sad to see this phase of Brady’s life end, I am excited about all of the changes coming up. Brady is going to have a new step-daddy in six weeks, gain two sisters (he has always been an only child), he will get to watch the process of a new house being built from the ground up (literally), he starts formal schooling in August, and we will be taking two great family vacations. Okay, well, ask me afterwards if they were “great.” I am staying optimistic. While all of these changes will take time for all to adjust, they are all GOOD changes for all.

So to all of you just starting this journey: enjoy the ride. To those single parents out there who feel alone: hang in there and focus on what you do have in your lives. Some days are hard and lonely. To those of you like me, whose children are moving into kindergarten or beyond: it is okay to cry, just wait until the school bus leaves. Best wishes to everyone – off to register my little man for his next chapter of this crazy journey we call life.