The next adventure

This week was Emma's first week of kindergarten. THIS WEEK WAS EMMA'S FIRST WEEK OF KINDERGARTEN! How in God's name did this happen? What a surreal and amazing experience it's been. Emma has been incredibly brave and I am just overflowing with pride. It's one of those rewarding moments when all the hard work and dedication you've put into parenting pays off. (Don't get me wrong, I don't need a payoff. But parenting is hard work -- I'm not going to lie. It just feels so good to see your child use the tools you've worked so hard to give her.)

I've pretty much been on emotional overload all week. We all have, I think. And it's been hard to focus on anything other than Emma. (Like Lindsay -- who officially transitioned to the toddler room this week! A toddler and a kindergartner -- WOW!) My head was spinning so much, it was really hard to make sure everything went smoothly. Every minute of our routine has changed -- from new backpacks to new rules and teachers to separate pick-ups and drop-offs. But, it's Friday. We made it and really, everything has been just GREAT. Here are some highlights:

• There were no tears from Emma on the first day. And I didn't let her see mine.
• There were minimal tears on the second day. (I took a day off for her first day, but on the second, I had to catch the train. So, I couldn't stay with her as long.)
• When I picked Emma up from her new after school program, she didn't want to leave.
• When we pulled into the driveway after her first day, she said: "I wish it was tomorrow. I can't wait to go back."
• When we got inside and started unloading her backpack, she asked if she could "practice" for kindergarten. (i.e. Do her "homework.")
• There were no tears on the third or fourth days for either of us.
• Emma has been talking non-stop about the whole experience and sharing every last detail: "Mrs. Izzo wore a blue dress today and I sit at the orange table. I made new friends named Lauren and Chloe. Lauren sits at the blue table. Is your favorite color orange, Mom? Mr. Getchel read us a book today. I have an invisible bucket to fill with good thoughts. There are no seat belts on the bus, Mom. And we can go to the bathroom whenever we want." And so on... This is the opposite of what I expected. I assumed I'd get a lot of "I don't remember" and "I don't know" responses.

Like I said, though, this transition has been an emotional one for me. (And it's all about me, right?) And the few weeks leading up to the new year were chaotic. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a planner. I like to think ahead. I make lists, I keep a detailed calendar, and I do everything I can to cover every detail and to be prepared. But I don't know what happened. This whole kindergarten thing has really thrown me for a loop. Everything worked out, thankfully, but barely. I have never procrastinated so badly in my life (well, maybe freshman year in college). Want to know how bad it was? (Probably not, but I'm telling you anyway.)

• I didn't officially sign Emma up for her after school program until 8/29. (Yes, that's less than a week before school started.)
• I got a nasty email from the Easton Public Schools Business Manager saying that if I didn't pay for Emma's full-day program by 8/31, she wouldn't be able to go to the following week. At the parent orientation, I had to -- hanging my head in shame -- hand the principal a check, tell him I was delinquent, and ask him to inter-office it to the business manager. 
• I didn't order Emma's first day outfit until mid August. (Usually I order Thanksgiving dresses around then.) 
• I didn't call the school to tell them about Emma's before school plans until 8/30. 

What is wrong with me? Why can't I get my act together? It's a classic case of denial, I tell you. Worse that I've ever had before. Emma might be ready for this, but I am certainly not. I am just not ready to let go. But, I know I have to. And I will. And I am. In a few short weeks, it'll be old hat. And yet again, we'll be ready for the next adventure.

And just for fun...

Here are a few of the most ridiculous (and not-so-ridiculous) kindergarten-related moments that made me cry this week:

• When I woke up on Monday 8/27 and realized that it was Emma's last week at Learning Ladder.
• When I was picking out granola bars at Target. Because, well, I knew that they would be consumed by Emma in kindergarten.
• When I printed out the hot lunch menu so Emma and I could go through and circle the days she wants hot lunch.
• When I looked up Emma's bus number online. (Buses are scary, people.)
• When at parent orientation Emma's teacher asked each parent to write a note to their child to leave on his/her desk for the first day. Yup, a simple note from mom. I mean, what could I possible say that conveys how much I love her or how proud I am?
• When I hugged my very brave and beautiful 5-year-old goodbye, turned around, and left her outside her new classroom.

So, there you have it. One successful week down. 467 to go. (Seriously.)