First Day of Kindergarten
Is it really true? Have 5 years come and gone? Is my first born leaving me EVERYDAY now? Oh, how I can't believe this is the case. But time passes, children grow older and they too have to move on. Today (July 26th) was the first day that Alayna met her teacher. It was the "testing" day for Kindergarten. Her teacher is Mrs. Knudsen. So here is the story of Alayna's experience leading up to her "testing" day.
Story: Sunday night Jared and I were doing our nightly ritual, tucking the kids in, talking, singing, etc. I was taking my turn at Alayna's bedside after family prayers, when she started to cry. Now, this wasn't your average 5 year old crying, this was real emotion. I knew it was real when her two little hands covered her eyes, and continued to wipe down her face over and over again drying her tears. I immediately hugged her and encouraged her to tell me what the matter was. She replied, "I don't want to go to school the day after tomorrow!" I asked her, "Why?" She then said, "Because I don't want to be tested...(a small shudder and sniffle) I don't know
everything!" (with a big sigh of relief once it was said). My first reaction was to laugh, sadly I did, but I had her snuggled up next to me in my arms. I giggled and explained to her that is why she is going to school. She isn't required to know everything, that's why she is going to
learn. I continued to talk with her about how, daddy went to college to learn to by a "doctor" (that's what the kids call him!), and he didn't know how to be one until after he was taught by his teachers. In the moment of explaining I thought to myself, I was doing a good job explaining, she was calming down and we were doing well. My thought was quickly proved wrong when she let out another big sigh and tears when she said, "But what if my teacher asks me to write my name in cursive!!! I don't know how to write in cursive!" (boo hoo hoo) I once again had a good little laugh and just hugged her and told her she knows everything she needs too for Kindergarten! We also discussed how when she comes home we will have after school snacks. She explained to me "Mom, the Madsen kids (her cousins) can open the fridge and get anything out of it they want! Even little pickles...Can I have a pickle if I want one?" I laughed again! "Yes, you can have a pickle if you want!" What a funny girl, worrying about every last detail.
We continued to talk through the entire process, day to day things and how she really is going to love it. Jared eventually joined in on the conversation and gave her some encouragement and that was that. I must admit that this memory will be a lasting memory for our little girl, having such high expectations of her self when entering Kindergarten!
Once the official "testing" day came, she entered with confidence and LOVED every minute of it. As soon as she left her teacher and classroom she exclaimed to me, "I got them all right! I did so well, mom...it was so easy!" I asked her the different "tests" she had to do and she said, "They weren't tests mom they were games!" I realized in that moment that when Jake enters Kindergarten we are going to tell him he gets to go play "games" with his teacher and not take a test! But then again I don't see Jake having any issue with anxiety like his sister. I did ask Alayna what the trickiest "game" she had to do and she said, "I read a book and I could do it, but when my teacher took the pictures away and only kept the words it was hard...it took me awhile but I still could read it." I couldn't agree more with her, that is the level she is on. Either way, this "game" day made her MORE excited to return back to school. She just had to wait a week before she could go!
Here is the REAL official Kindergarten day! August 3rd, 2010 (Tuesday) at 12:13pm...This is the day she was finally able to ride a school bus. I love how excited kids are when this happens. (Thanks Kari again for the cute sign idea!) Alayna was so thrilled to have her hair grow long. For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile I have mentioned in the past that Alayna will not and has not allowed me to cut her hair. About two years ago she said, "Mom, you can't cut my hair because I want it to grow long enough to have two braids coming down when I go to Kindergarten!" So there you go! She did it. She got her wish of two years, her two darling braids. Personally, I think she is one darling girl. She has a smile and fun personality that just lights up a room. We love you!
Really, do backpacks need to be this large? Or maybe she will grow into it? Either way I loved the view from the back.
She wanted to pose by something pretty...so here you go, her hiding in the trees in our front yard.
Now, tell me this isn't a girl ready to take on Kindergarten? I think so! I LOVE this picture for her smile. She was SO HAPPY! It was
finally her turn to ride a school bus! Okay, so here is another little story about her the night before her first day. Monday night was family home evening, so we spent of coarse more time talking about school, making good choices, having good friends, doing the best you can, etc. We had a great time talking and as usual having fun. Anyways, bed time came once again (are you catching on Alayna LOVES to talk at bed time!) anyways, we knelt in family prayer once again and Alayna asked if she could say it. She said the MOST sincere prayer she has EVER said. She asked Heavenly Father for comfort and to bless her to have a good day at Kindergarten, to help her have fun, to be happy, to be safe on the school bus and to not miss her mommy too much, etc." Her prayer continued on in this fashion saying such sweet things that I did have to open my eyes to catch a glimpse of her. She was poised so reverently and really asking with such intent. You could tell she got it. She
knew how to pray. As a mom, you just hope with all your heart they
get this moment in their life. She did. I loved it! After her prayer she lunged into my arms and started to whimper, (yes, it's a girl thing...full of emotions!) I asked her what was wrong and she said she was "
a little scared for tomorrow." I told her how proud I was of her and how if she is scared she can say another prayer just like the one she had said at anytime to help calm her fears. She said I know. I then said, "What is something else you can do to not be scared?" She said, "I can remember that Jesus is always in my heart with me!" Jared and I looked at each other and pretty much, "oohhed and gooed" over her! It was the
most adorable moment ever. We just love this little girl.
So the next morning, I went running early in the morning. I love this time because it's SO peaceful, quiet and just me. (I can't even run with music anymore it's so peaceful!) I'm able to run with beautiful scenery all around me, and just
think. It's simply the BEST suggestion I have for anyone out there needing some "alone" time. Anyways, as I was running just thinking to myself, I had this thought as I looked at the mountains with the sun just peaking up behind it, "Is she ready for this?" It was almost like a mini-mom moment, "Is she ready for this miniature mission in her life?" I felt like this is her mini-mission in life. Her next step, the next phase of growing and maturing, out on her own...with out me right by her side. As I pondered on the question that entered my mind, "Is she ready?" I reflected on the last night. As I ran, I had a quiet peace in my mind, I
could answer the question.
Two things were proven to me, and confirmed by the Spirit that night before.
1. She
knows how to pray to her loving Father in Heaven.
2. She
knows that she is never alone. The Saviors Spirit can always be with her.
After that quiet spiritual moment, of answering the question in my mind. I
knew that she was ready, because the Spirit had confirmed that in my heart. Now, that I look at the darling picture above of her getting on the school bus, it's like I can see her armed with her "spiritual armor"- she is ready to move forward, she's ready to start her journey. I couldn't be more pleased with our first child. We love her dearly! You will make the BEST kindergartner out there!!!
My good friends...missing Camille, she also left before we snapped the photo!
Now, tell me this isn't a girl ready to take on Kindergarten? I think so! I LOVE this picture for her smile. She was SO HAPPY! It was finally her turn to ride a school bus! Okay, so here is another little story about her the night before her first day. Monday night was family home evening, so we spent of coarse more time talking about school, making good choices, having good friends, doing the best you can, etc. We had a great time talking and as usual having fun. Anyways, bed time came once again (are you catching on Alayna LOVES to talk at bed time!) anyways, we knelt in family prayer once again and Alayna asked if she could say it. She said the MOST sincere prayer she has EVER said. She asked Heavenly Father for comfort and to bless her to have a good day at Kindergarten, to help her have fun, to be happy, to be safe on the school bus and to not miss her mommy too much, etc." Her prayer continued on in this fashion saying such sweet things that I did have to open my eyes to catch a glimpse of her. She was poised so reverently and really asking with such intent. You could tell she got it. She knew how to pray. As a mom, you just hope with all your heart they get this moment in their life. She did. I loved it! After her prayer she lunged into my arms and started to whimper, (yes, it's a girl thing...full of emotions!) I asked her what was wrong and she said she was "a little scared for tomorrow." I told her how proud I was of her and how if she is scared she can say another prayer just like the one she had said at anytime to help calm her fears. She said I know. I then said, "What is something else you can do to not be scared?" She said, "I can remember that Jesus is always in my heart with me!" Jared and I looked at each other and pretty much, "oohhed and gooed" over her! It was the most adorable moment ever. We just love this little girl.
Seriously, what part of this picture isn't adorable? None. Well, other than the fact this is how much Caleb enjoyed his time spent at Bear Lake. Oh, how a one year old just doesn't appreciate a vacation.
Here is the Perry Family gang. I grew up coming to Bear Lake every year for the BEST reunions out there. As the families have all GROWN with MANY children, we haven't had the opportunity to return as "cousins" for a few years. Thankfully, we spontaneously planned this trip and several of us were able to attend. It recommitted all of us to attend each year here on out. We loved every minute of it!!! We tried new ice cream shakes at a local joint, they had ice cream with a real slice of pie in each shake. I tried the caramel pecan pie shake...and YUMMY! We also rented two wave runners for several hours. This was AWESOME! It brought back memories as a kid of how much fun we used to have out on the lake. I must admit that my daring adventurous side has increased. I wanted a thrill...could this be a result of being a mother of three and needing some extra FUN in my life? Probably, not. But either way, I had my crazy cousin AJ give me a run for my money and it was great. He couldn't match my thrill seeking adventure so his dad, my uncle Alan gave it a shot....let's just say that I found myself backwards on the wave runner holding on...that did it. A few minutes of that, crazy turns and high speeds...I was DONE! I fell off a few times and got wet. All in all I stayed healthy and had a GREAT time. I can't wait till we come up again!
Oh, my baby is getting so big! He is around 14 months now and I can't believe how cute he was so long ago!!
