First Grader, Front and Center!

By far, this was the fastest summer in history.  Jam packed with so many activities (obviously, keeping me busy from posting any blog entries....as I've been reminded by several friends and family members!) ~ activities I will soon document, but tonight....the most important:  Kristina is officially in First Grade!

It took about 20 minutes to arouse our angel from her deep slumber this morning but once awake, the excitement in her step was evident.  Jon and I both took today off from work so we could escort her to school.  As we approached the school's gates, she saw her YMCA Director and yelled "I'm a First Grader today!"

Reading a book before going to sleep

Eating her favorite:  waffles and pancakes...carb loading for school!

Leaving for school with daddy, dada, papa...depending on her mood.
Today she was clingy...so it was dada.

Our big girl!

 

I'm so proud of my little angel.

 

When she caught up to fellow first-grader and neighborhood boy, Adam -- they raced to school together!

 First stop was the Kindergarten playground.  Instructions were to meet in her old classroom so her former teacher could announce to each child who their First Grade teacher is.  Kristina enjoyed seeing friends she hadn't seen in awhile but especially loved getting back on the Monkey Bars...even if only for a few moments.

That's our girl...catching up with the boys at the monkey bars...

...and then literally hanging out with them!

 As the bell rang, all the children filed into class and they took their originally assigned seats on the carpet. Kristina's spot was front and center (hmmm, maybe because she was quite the talker???).   Parents filled the sides and back of the classroom.  Mrs. F asked all the kids what they did over the summer and Kristina proudly announced "I went on a cruise!"  When asked "to where?", Kristina came up with "Ummm, just on a boat."  It was a little more than just a boat...but that's for another blog entry!

Mrs. F welcomes all the students back and calms their nerves about moving on.  Can you find Kristina?  This was her spot on the carpet all last year.

My heart began to pound as Mrs. F began to read kid's names and their new classroom.  There are 4 First Grade classes and one was preferred and one was not, two were wildcards.  When the 3rd classroom's names were called, they called out "Kristina" --- and it was for the teacher we had hoped for!  I felt tears come to my eyes and had to restrain from performing a Happy Dance right there in front of everyone.   ;)

We proceeded to Kristina's new classroom and were warmly welcomed by Mrs. K.

The school gives the teachers 10 minutes to welcome students and parents....and then parents have to leave.  We're thankful for this...some schools don't allow parents in the classroom on the first day - dropoff only!

Kristina and dada listen intently on what Mrs. K has to say.

 

After 10 minutes of introductions, finding her new desk (yes, up front and center), etc., it was time for the parents to leave. But this was too soon for Kristina. The bottom lip quivered, the tears silently fell -- and all I could do was to kiss the saltiness from her cheeks and encourage her to sit with the friends she already knew. Kristina had a death grip on me. I waited for Mrs. K to take notice that I wasn't able to vacate without some intervention, at which time she put her arm around Kristina and one other little girl having a hard time, and we were out of there. Sigh.

 

 

Kristina's new "home" -- the desk right up front!

 

The intense clinginess commences...

Two moments before meltdown...

At 1:23pm, Jon and I awaited outside the classroom door as class was dismissed.  A happy, joyful little girl ran up to us saying, "I had a great day, my teacher is sooooo nice!!  I like her alot!"

She ran down the ramp and couldn't wait to show us her folder FULL of homework for ME to complete (oodles of releases, emergency info, etc.).  Took over 90 minutes.

Very proud of her "Super Star" sticker and goody bag she received from Mrs. K.

Daddy's little girl

No tears now!

Operation First Grade Entry:  A Success!  And Kristina summed it up with a hand held high awaiting a high-5 exclaiming "and we all had a Green Day!"

Our toothless Angel Grin!

 

First Grader Stats:

Height:  46"

Weight:  42 lbs.

Size:  Wears 6x, but gradually starting to grow into 7s

Shoe size:  11

Bedtime:  8:30pm on school nights (but sometimes falls asleep by 7pm!)

Favorite foods:  Chicken Noodle Soup, Nutella sandwich, anything chocolate, buttered noodles with lots of parmesean cheese, cucumbers (peeled), sugarless gum

Favorite phrase:  "Are you kidding me?"

Favorite song:  "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift

Favorite Video:  Barbie and the Pop Star  (And constantly sings "Here I am...."!)

Favorite Book:  Dr. Seuss' Go! Dog, Go!

What she wants to be when she grows up:  Popstar on weekends, and a teacher and mommy during the week.

Loves to:  pet/cuddle with Dogs, color, use tape to wrap up anything, do her nails (over and over and over), sing in the shower, be held by mom in the am (although I see this quickly coming to an end as she's just getting too heavy for me...), play on the iPad, be first in line EVERYWHERE, dress in layers, .....and my favorite.....:  sneak into mommy and daddy's bed around 4am!