FIRST day of FIRST grade!

FIRST day of FIRST grade!

I'm not going to lie, I was struggling. I was DREADING this day, and praying that Summer would never end...but it did and this day came. I had a little cry a few days earlier and I think that helped to get that out of my system. I was sick all night and had a hard time falling asleep. We were prepared. Lunch packed, back pack ready, clothes picked out and ironed. Abbey woke up bright and early, about 7:00 and we started our day. She and I had breakfast together, and then we got her all ready. She looked darling and was SOOO excited to get going. The time finally came, and after a quick photo shoot we were off. We walked to her classroom and Mrs. Robinson greeted her and gave her a name tag. She then sent her out to play on the playground until the bell rang. I walked out with her and watched her play. She ran into her friend Erica Rigby, and they were both a little more at ease after seeing each other. They played hopscotch until the bell rang. Abbey gave me a kiss and a hug and confidently ran over to line up with her class. She didn't seem nervous at all! She waved goodbye and walked inside...and Jo and I left, not to return until 3:30 {6 1/2 HOURS LATER!!!} 

My heart ached more and more as the day went on. I was so nervous about every silly little thing. Would she find her friends at recess? Would she have someone to sit with at lunch? Would she make friends with the kids in her class? Would she be tired or worn out? Would she hate it? 

After a long and QUIET day {Makayla played at Andee's most of the day} we left to go pick Abbey up at about 3:20. When we got in the car, Makayla said, "That wasn't very long!" I'm glad she wasn't missing her too much and that she had a friend to play with all day. She might be whistlin' a different tune when Andee heads off to kindergarten next week...

I pulled up and I don't think I've ever been more excited to see my baby girl! She was all smiles and said she had a wonderful day. She didn't seem exhausted. She found all her friends at recess and lunch and had a lot of fun! PHEW...what a relief. She is such a bright girl, and I have no doubt in my mind that she will completely excel in FIRST grade. 

Here I am, on day three, writing this blog and my heart still ached this morning as she rode off on her bike with Carter, Hunter, Jace, Keira, and Jaxon. She looked all too grown-up. First grade is a HUGE milestone. Never again will she be in anything other than ALL day school. {Until I convince her to stay home and let me home school her!!} I knew it would be a hard day for me, watching my baby girl head off to school and not return until late afternoon. I knew it would be hard to entrust her to her teacher, to let someone else spend the majority of their day with MY baby. It's hard for a mom to let their children grow up. BUT I know it is also a BIG step for Abbey. She will grow and learn so much this year. I'm grateful for the opportunity to send my children to school. I know this isn't something every child has the opportunity to do. I'm grateful to live in a community where I feel safe sending her to school, and letting her ride her bike with her friends. I'm grateful to know she will be watched over and taken care of by her teacher, who is wonderful. I'm grateful for answered prayers each day she comes home safe and happy! We are very blessed and I will continue to count my blessings every day while she is gone, to help me remember how very blessed I am!