Bella's First Day of Kindergarten

August 21, 2013

Today was Bella's first day at Kindergarten.  She woke up excited after being pretty nervous up until this point.   Jeff and I both took the day off work.  Jeff made the girls pancakes for breakfast.

We took the first day pictures outside.

  And then headed to the daycare so Bella could ride the daycare van to school, because that is what she will normally do.  Miss Anya at daycare told us Bella is going to be the only girl riding the van so far this year.  She said that means Bella will get special treatment and always pick what seat she wants :)

Bella with Miss Anya - the van driver (and Evie's preschool teacher)

After the van left daycare we drove straight to the school so we could meet her there.   We met her at the dropoff spot and walked her to the kindergarten entrance.   There she lined up with all the kids.   As the line started to move into the school was about the part that I got the most emotional, but held back the tears.   I didn't really see anyone else crying so I was able to keep it in myself.

This was the part that almost got me!

Jeff and I went to the cafeteria with other new parents for muffins and to chat.   The principal was supposed to come in and give us the all clear when everyone was settled in, but he just sort of came in and walked around.   I don't think any of us really knew what we were supposed to be doing, but it was nice to chat with friends and familiar faces that we've met recently.

Jeff and I went home and hung up some pictures and home decor we haven't gotten to.  We also tried to unpack some more in the basement.  Around lunchtime we went for lunch at HuHot.  (The last time we went with the girls it was sort of un-enjoyable, so for now that is a restaurant we will only go to without the kids)

School had early dismissal, so we went back to the school at 1:55.   We met Bella outside as she waited for the van to pick her up.   She was all smiles.   I tried to get her to take a picture with her teacher, but she didn't want to.

The van came and got her and Jeff and I went back home to continue work on the house. Later we went and picked up the girls and took them to Orange Leaf as a first day celebration.

Afterwards, Jeff and the girls played basketball outside and Bella also decided she wanted to ride her bigger bike without training wheels.  She was quite wobbly, so that will take quite a bit of practice.   Evie did great riding Bella's old bike.

I'm just going to write down tidbits so I don't forget:

• Bella's teacher mentioned to me after school that Bella is very shy.  I wasn't surprised.  I'm pretty sure she'll open up as time goes on.
• Bella said she didn't use the restroom all day long.
• Bella said she wasn't sure how to buy milk at lunchtime
• Her friend, Harper, from gymnastics is in her class.   She told me Harper got hot lunch today and that she slept next to her at rest time.   Bella said she laid her rest towel on the hard floor, but Harper got a mat.   She also told me we should call her 'Harper H. from gymnastics' so we don't get confused with her friend Harper from daycare.
• Bella told me she saw Trevor (Petersen) in the lunch room, but he didn't see her.
• Bella said she saw her friend Carson, from daycare,  on the playground.   I asked her if they played together. She said 'no' but she "found" him lots of times.   The way she said it I'm half wondering if she was chasing him.
• Bella said her favorite part was recess.
• Bella thought Kindergarten was 'open' on Saturday and Sunday.  I'm not sure if she was happy or disappointed when I told her it wasn't.