Real School... Almost

How does it go from this:

Christa - 15 months

to this:

Christa - 5 years

 ....so quickly????

Needless to say, we all survived Christa's first day of Kindergarten yesterday.  I must say, I think she picked out a very stylish outfit for her first impression!  Aunt Alicia should be proud.  Although I did have to talk her out of wearing her new Keds with crew socks - just didn't go with the leggings :)

 I changed things up on Cline and moved the photo session to the front porch instead of the trees by the driveway, where I normally take "first day of school pictures."  He noticed, and let it be known there would also be pictures taken at the "traditional" spot!  I thought the porch looked better, and the first day of Kindergarten is a big milestone, so memorializing it with a nice backdrop seemed worth the extra steps.  Plus, I'd remembered getting great 15 month pictures there, and wanted to compare for years to come.  My sweet husband is a creature of habit, though, so it doubled the picture-taking workload that morning!

 Although, I must say, we had quite the photo session!

 Cline all but insisted on being the one to drive her to school.  We had to take two cars because I ripped the bumper halfway off of the minivan, and it needed to be repaired.  (Not my fault, and the owner of the Chinese restaurant building will be getting an ear full about the metal spokes that need to be sawed off of their concrete curb bumpers)!  So, we split up - he took the minivan because Christa wanted to ride in her booster seat, and I drove his truck.

 Mommy and Christa

 Mimi generously offered to stay home with the two little girls so that Abby Kate didn't get upset about not getting to stay.  (Her class started a day later).

I had several "on-site" pictures I wanted to get.  We had several stops to make on the way to school, including swinging by Aunt Bethany's house so we could lead her to the school.  (Chas, Bethany, and the cousins just moved to the area over the summer, so they're still learning their way around town).  Lala wanted to give Christa a "lucky buckeye" just like Cline took on each of his first days of school.  So a stop at the school she works at was in order, too.  We arrived at Christa's school right on time.  But by the time I found Cline and Christa and got my pictures, we were pushing the edge of being "late."  Christa was anxious to see her friends all morning, and finally said, "Mom, I'm ready to go into my class already!"

 So a quick kiss from Daddy....

 .... and that was it.  She was officially out of the "preschool" phase, happy as could be.

 I think it will be harder next year when she's at a big school that goes all day, all week.  This is kind of an "in-between" class.  It counts as "real" Kindergarten if you want it to, but it's still at the preschool, and it's 4 half days a week.  I felt the tiniest lump in my throat as I walked away, and felt so thankful that our morning was everything it should have been.  I'd gotten up early and made her chocolate chip pancakes and managed to get out the door without frenzied yelling.   I love her, and know she loves us.  We would miss each other, but she's got the confidence and desire to go out into the world and do what she's supposed to for the day, even if I can't be there with her every minute.  And the same is true for me!

When we picked her up, we celebrated with a treat at our favorite bakery!  I have a feeling it's going to be a great year!