First Day of First Grade

How the heck did this happen?  I can't believe Chatty is starting 1st grade today.  It seems like yesterday she was just learning to walk and talk (yes there was a time when she couldn't talk - amazing huh?). 

Being the wonderful mom I am, I woke her up a little early so Mr. ESPN could take a few pictures of us together before I left for work.  Chatty was excited for her first day and didn't mind getting up a bit early to make mommy happy.   Not only is it the first day of school, but she got to ride the bus and lost another tooth (three in a row up top are gone) and received some cash from the tooth fairy.  Great way to start out a new school year!

Yes the backpack looks huge

Me and my baby!

Bia had just woken up - amazingly her hair wasn't too bad

Not sure what is up with Chatty's smile

Dazed and Confused

Dear Chatty:
Yesterday I had a lovely parent teacher conference with your Kindergarten teacher Miss Johnson. She couldn't say enough sweet things about you. Miss Johnson said you are a born leader, transition from one activity to the next in an appropriate manner, willingly participate in all activities, is always happy and greets her with the biggest smile everyday, plays with everyone in the class, helps her peers, intelligent (at or above levels in all subjects/areas), to name a few. According to Miss Johnson you are a pure joy to have in class. Wow - I was so proud!

Fast forward to this morning when you were in major meltdown number 29 (or 59, it has been so many I have lost count) this week. What happens to you when I drop you off? Do you turn into another child? I mean seriously, the Chatty that was at my house this morning could not possibly be the same Chatty who is a prized pupil in Miss Johnson's class everyday. What do you do with her at 3:00pm every weekday, stuff her in your backpack and not let her out until you get back to school? What can I do to make sure she appears at my house during non-school hours? Your Dad and I are willing to try almost anything (within reason) to get prized pupil Chatty to make a regular appearance at our house. Let me know ASAP! Thanks.

I Love You,
Mom

Our Fearless Leader

Last week I had a day off and volunteered in Chatty's classroom. Since I wasn't going to work Chatty was able to ride the bus to school. She was super excited (as was Bia who packed a backpack with her blankies, puppy and monkey to take sissy to the bus stop). So we get to the bus stop and Chatty patiently waits for JR (neighbor across the street) to get there. He gets there and shortly afterwards the bus pulls up. All the kids get in line to get on and the following happens:

The afternoon bus (the only one Chatty had ridden up until last week) is #122, but apparently the morning one is #119. I didn't even look at the numbers, knowing all my neighbors kids who ride the bus everyday (including JR) were getting on and going to the same school as Chatty. A frantic Chatty yells, "JR this isn't our bus, our bus is #119, this is #122, we can't get on" and pulls JR away from the bus. JR looks a little bewildered but says "OK" and follows Chatty's lead. I calmly assured Chatty this was the correct bus and told her and JR to get on. As I am leaving the bus stop I am relaying the story to my neighbor and she says "Oh she will make a great wife - already giving directions and telling the boys what to do." Then another neighbor (a husband) says "Yep and like a good husband JR followed right along!"

Then when I get to school Chatty's (fabulous) Kindergarten teacher tells me how much she enjoys having Chatty in her class and what a natural leader she is. I was thinking to myself, if only you saw her in action at the bus stop this morning! Besides saying great things about my kid, her teacher has the patience of a saint. God bless her, she is amazing with those kids! We are very lucky to have her!