Nicholas' First Day of Kindergarten

*Sniff, sniff* Nicholas started kindergarten about 2 weeks ago. I was so nervous about his first day, his beginning of the school year, how it would be for the two of us to be at the same school...you name it, I was worried about it! What I wanted the most for Nicholas this school year was to make friends and have fun. I wanted him to feel comfortable enough to interact in the classroom and play with the other kids. I was somewhat worried (big surprise) that he would get "lost in the crowd" being so quiet and only having 8 other kids in his preschool class last year. So, the first day of school arrived. He was SO excited! Everything was ready...his clothes, his hair, his backpack. We took a few pictures, which he was also excited for (he HATES getting his picture taken!). Then it was off to wait for the bus. This part made me the most nervous because I was so afraid he wouldn't get on or would be super scared once everyone was looking at him. Nope. No reason to be worried at all. He took off running to the bus and never looked back. I was so happy for him and proud to see him so comfortable and excited. Once he was on the bus, of course, I cried my eyes out! Not too bad though, because Maggie was still with me. I held it together long enough to get her to the sitter right after I put him on the bus. (I had to go to school right away to be there all day instead of the half day I usually do.) Once I dropped Maggie off I cried harder. Really let it go. School is right around the corner from our house so I didn't have much time to get myself together before I faced my new first graders. I pulled myself together and went in the school. This was yet another moment of worry. I wanted to make sure that I was not in sight when Nicholas walked by. I was SURE he would see me and want me to walk him to his classroom or stay with me. I waited awhile before I waited in the hall for my own class. As I was turned around talking to someone I felt a smack on my backside. I turned around and there is Nicholas just walking down the hall like he had done it a million times, headed to his classroom. He looked at me, smiled and waved, then kept on going. At that moment, I realized just how much Nicholas had grown up. I felt so incredibly proud of him for being so confident and sure of himself. Of course, this made me cry some more! In fact, as I type this I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. The start to his kindergarten year couldn't have started any better. He absolutely LOVES school and rushes out to the bus stop every morning and even asks if he is going to school on Saturdays! He is so totally himself in school! When I see him he is smiling and happy. Mrs. Haffner even used the word "leader" the other day when describing him. I know I've used this word a million times already but I felt so proud! My little boy is growing up!!!!!

What Stinks?

Tonight Mark was playing 'picnic' with Maggie. She has been obsessed lately with building tents in the living room! Every single day this week we have built a tent and she'll go in there and pretend like she's cooking, feeding babies, and all kinds of pretend stuff. So Mark and Maggie are sitting on the floor while I am finishing up dinner. Mark says, "I'm gonna let a stinker." (Yes, we are not shy about talking about toots in our family.) Maggie says, "Go ahead and let your stinker. I have to let one too!" What 3 year old says stuff like this?? I guess at least she warned him. :)

World Cup Soccer

This summer was the World Cup. It took place in South Africa. Nicholas has never been a fan of soccer. This is funny to Mark and I because he loves all sports but not soccer. We even asked him several times if he would like us to sign him up for soccer. "Nope," he would say, "that is TOO HARD!" So we had pretty much given up. Then the World Cup happened. He was TOTALLY into it! When he woke up in the morning he wanted to turn on the World Cup. He was always completely on top of who was playing who and what game was on when. It was amazing to me how much a six year old could be into one sport. His favorite team was South Africa...or as Nicholas would say it, "South Efrica." I loved hearing him say that! (I also love hearing him call a boy from his old class 'Roverto' instead of 'Roberto.') Anyway, after watching soccer daily for...well, however long the World Cup lasts...Nicholas was finally convinced to try soccer. We will see how it goes. His first practice is in a week!