Wow....I can hardly believe my Kylene is old enough to start kindergarten! I know that everyone says this but my how time flies!! My sweet girl has been looking forward to this day for a long time. All summer long, she would eagerly tell anyone who would listen that she would be attending Hutchings Elementary this fall. This morning it was no surprise when she woke up an hour early and obediently dressed, ate breakfast, and sat still while I combed her hair. I knew she was ready and she knew she was ready....I just wasn't sure I was ready. When the clock read 8:20, we stepped outside and snapped a few pictures of our elated kindergartner. We hurried across the street to wait eagerly at the bus stop but when the massive yellow form of transportation pulled up, there was NO WAY Kylene was getting on. The reality of the enormity of what she was taking on was finally sinking into her five-year-old head. Fear and a sudden twinge of uncertainty crept in and going to school didn't seem like such a good idea anymore. Luckily, Alan was able to drive her to school on his way to work that day so she climbed into his van and tentatively buckled her seatbelt. After arriving at the school, Alan abruptly guided her to her teacher, gave her a quick kiss and hug, and said good-bye without looking back. I know for sure I wouldn't have had the strength to do that, especially because Kylene was screaming between sobs, "No Daddy! Please don't leave me! No Daddy....Nooooo!" Completely unaware of this at the time, I was having my own reality check. After a good cry, I went about my morning thinking nonstop of how empty my house felt! This feeling caught me off guard because I was certain that once she started school, the house would feel the same. After all, she was my most independent child and she has always been proficient at self-entertaining. I found myself glancing at the clock more often than necessary throughout my day. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked her up from the bus stop but once she unzipped her backpack and gleefully explained her wonderful day, I felt much more at ease. Hopefully on her next day of school she won't be so afraid to ride the bus to school.....we shall see!
