KINDERGARTEN

I remember bawling as I left my house for the first day of kindergarten. Pigtails were for babies. My mom took me back in and changed it up.

So, it's no surprise as Caleb and I go to get dressed for the big first day that he directs me in combing his.

"Now, Mom, I want a wave, but a very flat wave."

I do my best to style a flat wave.

We go to look at what new shirts we have to choose from.

"Mom, you have to iron the crunks out of them. They all have crunks."

"I see, well, here's one without crunks."

We arrive and I ask what he thinks about his new teacher, Ms. Stone, a babysitter of mine growing up and Chloe's kindergarten teacher.

"She is so cute," short pause, "and pretty."

The innocence a precious moment.

I sit on the back table observing him. He finds a table to play, greets new friends as they arrive, and chats. And then it hits. My boy's growing up too fast. Look at him; smart, organized, and friendly. He's a doll. Tears well in my eyes and I can't believe I'm verklempt. I've been waiting for school to start to get a break from the little whiner for weeks now! ;) 

                                                        The bell rings, time to say goodbye to mommies and daddies, soon to be regular old mom and dads. My husband, Conrad, and I turn and walk down to the "Boo-Hoo, Ya-Hoo Breakfast."

Two down, one to go.

I pick him up at noon, Ms. Stone ushers him to the car with a thumbs up.

Once settled, I ask how his first day was.

"I learned to kiss my brain."

"Cool! How many kids are in your class?"

"Well, there are 100 boys and 18 girls."

"Wow! That's a lot, how fun! What else did you learn about?"

"Um, I know! I got a spork."

"A spork, huh? That's super duper, Caleb!"

"Yeah, look mom," and there it is, a white plastic spork sticks up out of his chubby little hand. A spork that will be photographed and entered into his book.

My little guy, Caleb: A kindergartner, a perfectionist, an admirer, a buddy, and one who recognizes the coolness of a spork.

Today's Prayer: "He is who he is. Chloe, Conrad, too. We are who we are, and You love us all. Assist me to mother each's strengths and mold them to be the best they can be."