Charlie starts Kindergarten

Charlie started Kindergarten!!! Here's how that went...

Charlie would prefer to stay with me all day, everyday (or Lili or Nana), rather than ever go to preschool or camp. Even towards the end of the school year in Pre-K, he would still regularly say that he didn't want to go to school, he didn't like school, he just wanted to stay with me, etc. Between that, and how anxious he is overall, I was very nervous about how well he would do on the first day of Kindergarten.  We had a sort-of dry run a few weeks before the first day, when Charlie went to a four day Kindergarten camp. It is hosted by the school and it gives the kids a chance to meet their teachers and get to know the building before school officially starts. It's just a few hours each day, so it was a great introduction to school before the long days start.

On the first morning of camp, he told me several times that we was nervous, but he was doing well until we got in the car. Then, he lost it. He cried and cried that he was scared and he didn't want to go. By the time we got to the school, he was able to get himself together for carpool drop off, but he did not go willingly. Each day got a little better, but he is stubborn. He refused to admit that it was fun and that he was fine. He told me that he was scared and nervous the whole time. 

A few days before school started, we went to open house. That's when the parents go in and meet the teacher, find out their bus route/time, and get any last minute instructions. I asked Nana to go with us. Having taught at Charlie's school for 25 years, she knows everyone there. I wanted them all to know that Charlie wasn't just any kid. He is Sue Holbrook's grandson! It worked. Every where we went people would stop us and say, "Sue! What are you doing here?! Oh is this your Charlie?! He's going to be at school here now?!" The PE coach even looked down at Charlie and said, "I've seen those deep brown eyes before! You look just like your Daddy." Mission Accomplished.

So finally, the morning had arrived. My friends are all crying because they are sad their babies are growing up. I was just praying we got through the morning with no tears from Charlie. Daddy woke him up bright and early at 6:30. They were tired. 

Charlie got up and got dressed with no problem. He came downstairs for breakfast and a few minutes before we needed to leave for the bus, he started saying he was scared and didn't want to go. No tears though. It was raining, but luckily the kids had their own umbrellas. Daddy isn't in the picture, but he came too. 

And then the bus came. The three kids who live across the street were with us. They jumped up on the bus and Charlie refused to budge. I literally pushed, pulled, and finally picked him up and put him on the bus while he fought me with all his might to get back off. It was awful. Kyle and I walked back home with Holly feeling horrible for him.

It sounds like the bus was the worst part though. A few hours later, Nana got this text from a friend who works at the school. It made me so happy and so thankful for our connections at the school!!

That afternoon, our beloved neighbors (Luke, Lilly, and family), who moved the week before school started, were able to come meet Charlie at the bus stop. It was great because it took his mind off of how tired he was! He got off the bus, and just about collapsed on the ground. Then he saw Luke, and perked up!

Once everyone was off the bus, we met some friends at the clubhouse for ice cream for the kids...

And much-needed beers for the Moms.

We all survived! That night, Charlie and I snuggled and watched TV, both exhausted from the emotionally draining day!

Since then, Charlie has done much better. He still complains here and there about not wanting to go to school every day, but for the most part, he is doing a great job. Daddy wakes him up each morning at 6:30. He puts on his clothes, makes his bed, and brushes his teeth before he comes downstairs. He eats breakfast and we walk down to the bus stop around 6:50-6:55. Kyle doesn't leave for work until 7:30 now and it has been really nice for the whole family to spend some time together in the mornings. I'm so impressed with how easily Charlie gets up and gets ready each morning. 

 Each afternoon, Charlie gets off the bus around 2:45. I was able to get a video of him the second day. 

So overall, it's going great. The first day was tough, but it's only gotten better since then!