The End of an Era

Leah is started full-day kindergarten tomorrow.  Yes, 6 months into the school year and only about 9 weeks to go, she and I have finally decided that it's time.  She is excited to start spending more time with her classmates and her teacher, to eat in the cafeteria, to enjoy recess and getting to do specials- math, art, science, gym, and music.  I am excited for her to gain a little more independence- she is such a funny, sweet, smart little girl, and she is very shy around adults- at times it is nearly impossible for her to get the words out of her mouth when she is speaking with an adult.

Her fabulous kindergarten teacher told me that Leah is "in love with Mommy"- she loves to talk about me and tell and write stories about me (heaven help me as to what she might be disclosing!).  I love that she loves me, and she has always been my special little sweetie, but I'm excited to see how spending more time away from her might help her gain confidence about who she is.

At home, we are looking forward to getting Emma down for a nap when she needs it (she falls asleep on the way to pick up Leah every single day), for Adam and I to get a little more one-on-one time, and for Leah to be all the more excited to be home when she is with us.

Still.... I'll miss the lazy afternoons of make-believe, reading, coloring, napping or resting, baking, crafting and homeschooling- my attempts to make up for what she has been missing at school (although her teacher tells me she is ahead in every academic area that she has been tested).  It will be harder to squeeze that same time in once Leah is getting off that big yellow bus (that still tugs at my heartstrings daily) at nearly 4 in the afternoon.  It's the end of an era... at least until spring break starts in 3 weeks!  Then we'll be glad to have our sweet little tiny with us again!