I May Have Gone Overboard...

Last night was Parent Orientation Night at Tanner's school. I have been so excited about Tanner starting Kindergarten and I told Jake from the beginning that I would be volunteering when possible and being a Room Mom. I want to be as involved as I can because I believe it shows Tanner that I am interested in what he's doing and want to be a part of his life. It's important to invest time in your kids and show them you care. I remember all the kids whose moms were the Room Moms when I was in elementary school, and it was those kids who seemed to have a stronger sense of self-confidence. I truly believe that the involvement of their parents in that aspect of their lives was key to their self-esteem development, so I have always said that I would do that for my children. Whatever we can do to help that, right? Especially in today's world.

Anyway, his teacher had a table full of sign-up lists for the year - I signed up for the Halloween, Holiday, Valentine's and Water Day parties, the Easter Egg Hunt, as well as volunteered to do some mural artwork in their classroom (the teacher begged the artistically-talented parents to step up to the challenge). I start that tomorrow. So I'm definitely going to have a busy school year ahead (no doubt it was going to busy even WITHOUT Kindergarten obligations!) But I'm completely fine with that...if all this hard work now will help Tanner to thrive in the future, it is definitely worth being a little frazzled and hectic from time to time. ☺

Kindergarten Rocks!

Tanner (and Mommy) made it through his first day of Kindergarten today! The morning was a little crazy and rushed, but we made it through a mess of traffic and people and managed not to be tardy on the first day! I decided to drop Breckin off at daycare first so I could have 100% attention on Tanner for his big day and the big [read: dreaded] drop-off. We walked to his classroom and he put his backpack in his cubby. I asked him if he remembered his assigned seat from orientation last week and he did! The teacher greeted us with a warm welcome and hug (I really like Ms. Powell, she seems like a great personality fit for Tanner). I took some pictures, and then gave him a big hug and kiss good-bye...he didn't seem scared...he didn't beg me to stay (which is great, though I sort of longed for him to at least pretend he wanted me to stay longer). He did say "I love you, Mommy" without being prompted by me saying it first and it melted my heart. My little boy is really a big boy now. All day I couldn't wait to pick him up and hear about his day. He told me about all of the songs they sang and the games they played. I was so glad to hear he loved it. :)

Here are some pics I took before I "let him go":

The Mascot is a Sea Turtle!

My Silly Sweetie

Looks So Grown Up

Outside the Classroom

Ms. Powell & Tanner

His Seat for the Year!

My Studious Little Man

Embarking on a New Adventure

Tomorrow is a big day.

Tanner and Breckin are going to their first day at their new daycare. This will be Breckin's first time in a daycare center ever. I hope that he loves it. Tanner will be going their for his after-school program 3 days a week.

Tuesday will be an even bigger day than tomorrow.

Kindergarten is finally upon us. I've long-dreaded this day. I'm going to be walking Tanner down the hall to his classroom...taking TONS of pictures...and crying tons of tears (hopefully will be able to hold them back until I get in the car.) The following things will likely run through my mind all day:

"Is he going to be nervous?"
"Is he going to make friends easily?"
"Will he be able to find his way back to class from the bathroom?"
"Will he listen to his teacher and follow the rules?"
"Will he get on his daycare bus OK, or feel completely lost because I'm not the one picking him up?"
"Will he wish I was there with him, or be completely fine without me?"

That last one is probably the most worrisome. Isn't it sad when our kids decide they don't need us anymore? Hopefully I have a little longer than Kindergarten, but I know that day is coming...probably sooner than later.

However, I'm excited for this new chapter in our lives. Aside from Tanner heading to Kindergarten, we are also taking further steps in our Christian faith (attending a Life Group, committing to attending regular Sunday services, etc.), moving toward a better financial future (we even both just got new cars to suit our growing family! Jake now has a large enough truck to fit our entire family, and I have enough room to fit our entire family and a few friends!) Things are just finally going really well and the future looks bright. I have signed up to be a "Room Mom" for Tanner's Kindergarten class...excited to see what fun that will bring!

So here's to a good school year - hope all you other mommies of school-aged children have an awesome year!

It's Becoming More and More Real...

Today, Tanner and I went and bought all of the school supplies on his list, along with a new backpack.

Yep. My first-born is officially ready for Kindergarten.

It's exciting and scary for me at the same time. I am glad he will be going to such a great environment and learning all sorts of new things and making new friends. I am excited to see his first art project he brings home from school and help him with his first homework assignment. I hope he thrives in school and learns to love it.

It's scary for me because I still see him as my "baby"...it's so hard for me to picture him finding his way to his class each day and making his way to the daycare bus for after-school care all without my help. It's also scary because I'm one of those moms who pays too much attention to the bad news out there about kidnappings and bullying. Both of which have haunted me in my nightmares these past few weeks (I'm a real mess!) It's so hard to let go and allow him to enter the world of self-sufficiency. Not imagining how he will get through each day without needing to hold my hand. All I can hope for is that I've raised a boy that will make smart decisions, have self-confidence and socialize well.

Goodness, I sound like I'm sending him off to college.

Ugh, don't even get me started.

Countdown to Kindergarten: 17 days...

One Month Away...

All of Tanner's khaki shorts and polo tees for his school uniform showed up via Fedex today.....

I don't think I'm going to handle this very well...

It's Official: He's a Big Boy

I'm taking Tanner to register for Kindergarten today! [insert Mommy sobbing here] I can't believe it. Come fall I will have a "school-aged" kid...I knew this day would come, but I didn't think it would feel so soon...it seems like it's all gone by so fast. My little baby boy is now a big boy, officially. It's so exciting, but so sad at the same time. I know he'll love it and do wonderfully. I can't wait to hear him talk about all he learns and the new friends he makes. I can't wait for him to bring home his first homework assignment! It's going to be yet another adventure to embark upon in this mommy life of mine.