Kindergarten?!?! Already??

So, speaking of time flying, why is Landon already going to kindergarten??  This summer, Landon attended a program for incoming kindergarteners called, "Jump Start".  It's basically a program to get kids accustom to what will be expected of them.  I signed Landon up based on a recommendation from his preschool teacher. She thought he would really benefit from the program, since it takes Landon a little longer to do things, and also get used to new situations.  We were hoping he would get used to the way things went, so when school started, he would be an example for other children.

The program lasted three weeks and was only for four hours a day.  That's a little over half the time he would actually be in kindergarten and about the same amount of time he was in preschool.  He got to eat lunch and breakfast while he was there.  I ended up packing his lunch since he is still working on biting things and he has some foods he can't eat yet (like carrot sticks, for example).  So I figured it would be easier if I just packed it for him. He got a new "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" lunchbox from my dad for his birthday, so he was excited to get to use it.

The first week of the program was hard.  The first couple of days, he did really great and didn't cry or anything...the next three were a mess.  We wouldn't even get near the doors of the school and he would break down in tears!  I would ask him what was wrong and he would tell me in between sobs, "You have to leave!".  It broke my heart.  His preschool teacher was one of the teachers in the program.  She actually had to unglue him from me everyday.  The last two weeks were the complete opposite.  He was a champ and would tell me when I dropped him off, "See you after lunch!".  :)  It made the whole process so much easier! I spent a few days that first week worrying about him and hoping that wasn't how he would be in kindergarten!  Mrs. Ackles (one of the preschool paras) reassured me that it was completely normal and it was probably because they were expecting more out of him than in preschool.  That made a lot of sense to me and it comforted me.  I knew all those teachers wanted what was best for Landon.  Plus, we all know that Landon needs a little pushing sometimes. :)  The rest of the three week program flew by and Landon became more independent everyday.

So, when today came, I wasn't as worried as I thought I would be.  I knew he would do great!  Don't get me wrong, I was panicking on the inside, but not because I was unsure about Landon...I was mourning the idea that my boy was growing up!  Today was a start of early week mornings with only 4-5 hours to spend with him after school before bedtime.  I hope that time won't be filled with homework!  Do they give out homework in kindergarten??  I guess I'll find out! :)  I'm sad that for the next 12 years, Landon will spend the majority of his time with his teacher and classmates.  I guess you can say I'm jealous of them. :)

On this morning's menu...waffles.

Showing off his new shirt...it's so him!

Sydney gave me a big "cheese" as I was putting Landon in the car.  She was excited for her breakfast date with Mason. :)

So, today was not as bad as I thought it was going to be.  Neither one of us cried. :)  Thank goodness!  I think I was spending most of my time trying to seem excited so Landon wouldn't worry!  If I hadn't, I definitely would've cried.  When Landon walked in the doors of the school with one of his teachers, I sat there for a minute with Sydney and thought, "What next?".  I didn't know if I should wait there...what if he needed something...or the teachers had a question...or he wanted one last hug?  It took me a minute to realize he wasn't coming out and that I could go.  Talk about a hard moment.

Standing outside the school.  He's so big in this picture! Tear.

The little boy on the left is Jonathan.  Jonathan was in Landon's preschool class and they were best buds.  Landon picked him out of the crowd and said hi to him without any prompting.  He loves Jonathan.  I was sad that they didn't get in the same class...maybe next year.

Mrs. Ables helping Landon up the stairs.  She is going to be helping him get to class so Landon doesn't get trampled by the other kids.  

This is where I had to keep it together and put my brave face on.  He turned around and started pointing at me.  Mrs. Ables is explaining to him that I'll be back later.  That was hard.  Doesn't he look scared?

By the end of the day, Mrs. Ables was one of Landon's favorite people.  She said that he was telling her that he loved her.  My boy is such a flirt.  He knows how to work it. :)  Speaking of flirting, Landon made a friend today.  Not just any friend, but a BEST friend...named Chloe.  Oh boy! :)