I meant to write this post days ago... seriously... life is just too short on hours in the day lately... well, it doesn't help when you have to cut it short due to being overly exhausted and pregnant either.
But we did it. We survived the first week of Kindergarten. And I'm glad we did too. Tomorrow starts week two. She loves kindergarten. Her classmates, her teacher, the school...she has taken so well to it. Not wanting to say bye in the morning but just running off to class. My husband takes her each morning and picks her up. He tells me she's so excited to be there. I'm glad she's loving school. She calls it "Big School". No more pre-school or daycare. She's a big girl now.
She gets really upset everyday she comes home and doesn't have homework. She actually starts crying because she's so mad. I told her the teacher wouldn't be giving homework the first week but ti will be coming so don't worry.
At her school, children are required to wear school uniforms and have their hair pulled back. So it's easy to dress her every morning and get her hair in a ponytail. We both took her on her first day which was last Monday {August 13th}. And yes, I cried a little. I don't know why either but I did. I'm a total sap for these kind of things. I cried at her pre-school graduation as well. The pregnancy hormones haven't helped with being so emotional either.
So I believe between the uniforms and the school supplies, just for her first day of kindergarten costs around $300 ... yea, that's a lot. And I am thankful my parents paid for all of it. So school supply lists have really changed since I was a kid. Now, they list the most specific things on there. From the colors of folders they are allowed to have to the brand of notebooks they can only bring. It used to be whatever you liked, you could bring. On my daughter's school supply list, there was a specific type of marker. I searched everywhere for this brand of markers and the only place I found them was at Sam's Club and they wanted $141 for them. I'm not spending over $100 on some markers a five year old will leave the cap off and it dries out after two minutes.
After driving to every store where we live, I finally found some in a smaller pack but it cost me $20 for them. That bit the dust big time... but since it was a specific item on her list, I had to get them. I'm sure they will not last more then a month. But I have my fingers crossed they will.
However, she was allowed to pick out her backpack and lunch box. So this is what she chose {Hello Kitty lunch box & Monster High backpack}:
I took a few photos of her in the car ride to school but here are just a couple of dropping her off. We were not allowed to go with them to their classroom. The school felt it would be too much for the kids and parents so the we had to say our goodbyes in the waiting room and then the teachers would walk them to their classrooms when school started.
So we left and ran some errands and then I had to go to work. Back when I was in kindergarten, there were only two teachers and there was one morning class and one afternoon class. Now, at her school, there are eight kindergarten classes and they go all day. From 8:30am-3:00pm
But she loves it. Over 800 children attend her school from kindergarten to fifth grade. And there are probably around 20 elementary schools in our county will all the same number of students probably. There are lots of kids around here.
Each day at her school, the teacher chooses one child who is the Star of the Day and the other day, my daughter was chosen. And how it works is that every child has to draw the Star of the Day's portrait. Here is how everyone in the class drew my daughter on her day:
And we also finally discovered the library. I know we may be a little late on this but better late then never. I used to go so much with my mom when I was little. So I thought my little girl would love going too. So we found the one near our house and went. Got a ton of books and they were doing arts and crafts story time as well. She got too shy to stay for story time so we went back for arts and crafts. She really loved it so we will go back next week as well. But here is what she made:
This week's story and theme was monsters. So they had to make their own monster. Her's was really scary as you can see. So that was about it. And so we shall see what this next week of shcool holds in store. She may get homework this week....we will have to see.
I'm so happy she had a great 1st week of school! How exciting is it that she actually wanted to have homework!?! Love that she is eager to learn!
ReplyDeleteI'd probably be the same with my kids, all emotional when I drop them off on their first day...whenever kids come in my life :)
Public schools in Miami starts tomorrow, so I have to wake up extra early...not just because of traffic, but because i gotta car pool with hubby, my ride is d.e.d. :/
xo Andie
Andie's Traveling Pants
Love that Hello Kitty backpack. Glad to hear you survived that emotional first week of K-garden. It's a pretty big moment, isn't it? I'm sure you'll enjoy avoiding "what to wear" convos since your daughter will be uniform-clad. Nice. It'd be lovely to see you link this up at {Monday Mom Musings} today, if you're up for it! I'd love to have you, Rebecca!
ReplyDeleteYay for a great first week of school! She is adorable.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda surprised at the school lists too. My daughters was the same for 2nd grade this year with the specific colored folders and brand name composition books and whatnot. My daughters school doesn't have uniforms though so we do still have the issue of what to wear and how to do hair every day! lol
Aww, how exciting -- the first week of Kindergarten! I love her Hello Kitty backpack! Glad the week went well.
ReplyDeleteLove all of these photos Rebecca, it's great to hear that your girl has taken to kindergarten so well and that you've survived the first week, it's sure to get easier after then at least, it's awesome she's enjoying herself though it really is.
ReplyDeleteHi there - found you through Naptime Review! so glad she had a good first day :)
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness, love this post! Jade starts kinder THIS WEDNESDAY. Ahhh!
ReplyDeleteSo I love your blog and had to nominate you for a blogger award :) I hope you will accept it!
http://theharmonbabyfarm.blogspot.com/2012/08/sunshine-blogger-award.html
so exciting! (although that is a little absurd about the markers - seriously). just found your blog from the hop and excited to be your newest follower!
ReplyDeletelove,
elisabeth
ps. drop by and say hi at lavitaebella-elisabeth.blogspot.com when you get a chance!
Too cute...love the blog and it's name. Your newest follower from the Monday Mingle.
ReplyDeleteAnissa from Chasing Hailey
http://chasinghailey.blogspot.com/
I'm sorry, did I just read that your 5 year olds school wanted you to buy markers worth $151?!? What the what?!
ReplyDeleteLove the drawings. :)
ReplyDeleteDarling! I remember getting my first library card and what a big day it was! Of course then I was responsible for the fines then!
ReplyDeletePS what kind of markers?!
I can't get over the fact that she cried for homework! Congrats on the pregnancy too!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad school is going well! I love her artwork.
ReplyDelete