How did we get here already? Annabel is officially in Kindergarten.
It took her forevvvver to fall asleep on Tuesday night – “I’m too excited to sleep” – so I was worried about how Wednesday morning would go. School mornings are starting a full 75 minutes before her preferred wake up time. But when her alarm went off (a Taylor Swift song, of course), she hopped right out of bed and said, “YAAAAY SCHOOL!”
She ate every drop of breakfast, didn’t protest during her hair brushing, and got herself dressed and ready with time to spare…man, I hope every morning goes like this.
Annabel and James thought walking to the school was the greatest thing ever. “I just can’t get over that we can walk to school, Mom! I love it!”
It was so cute to see all the other kids streaming into the school. Everyone looked so happy and excited. I still remember my first day of Kindergarten, and that was over thirty years ago. I told Annabel, “You’re going to remember this day in thirty years, when you’re my age!” And she replied, “Thirty years? That’s sooooo old!”
Annabel is in a Kindergarten/First Grade combination class. There are 22 kids in the class, with only seven of them being Kindergarteners. I think this is going to be a good thing for her. We waited with Annabel while her teacher lined up the kids to enter the classroom. When it was her turn, she confidently told her teacher her name, then walked right into her class without a glance back at us.
Meanwhile, James was like, “AHNNNIIIIIIIIIEEEEE!” Poor little guy is going to have a hard time adjusting to his best friend being gone every day. A special only-child breakfast date helped ease the blow.
After school, Annabel and James were so happy to see each other (AHNNNNIEEEEE! JAMESIE!), it would have warmed my heart if it hadn’t already been sweating from the heat. After getting some one-word responses to my questions (“How was school?” “Fine.” “Did you make any friends?” “Yeah.”) I decided to wait a few hours to let her decompress. That proved to be the right move, and eventually she started to share info on her day. Highlights included:
~Learning the rules, like walking with “sealed lips.” LOL
~Raising hands when they want to talk.
~Getting a star for good behavior. YAY
~Drawing a picture of what she did this summer. She said she drew a picture of Hawaii and not playing Nintendo so PHEW.
~A girl was sent to the “thinking area” for throwing books. Drama!
She also said that she made friends on the playground with “a girl not in my class.” When I said, “What’s her name?” she replied, “I don’t know.” So I said, “You should ask her tomorrow what her name is,” and she responded, “Or I’ll just make another friend…there are a lot of kids to choose from.” Okay then.
I can’t believe that little six pound baby is already in Elementary School. Slow down, time.
Kristen says:
Such an exciting time! I’m looking forward to all of the school stories she will come home with. My oldest is starting 7th grade tomorrow, OMG – junior high! Make sure to take a picture of Annie on her last day of elementary school in front of the school sign like you did above. I did and it was unbelievable to see the change in 7 years. Just crazy! Good luck on day 2!
Alison says:
I’ve never heard of a combo class! What’s that like?
Alison says:
Also the “thinking area” reminds of that twitter account Los Feliz Daycare LOL
Heather says:
Oh really? I was in a K/1 when I was in Kindergarten, too. It’s usually for numbers purposes (too many/not enough kids in a grade to make another full class). According to the letter the school sent home, they pick the kids who are “strong independent workers, organized, like learning, and are strong socially.” There are (usually) not as many behavior issues in combo classes, plus strong teachers and good students.
Damita says:
I was in a combo class is second grade. It was second/third grade, but I think we only did it for a few weeks or one semester. I do know that it wasn’t for a whole school year. I think they may have just been piloting the concept back then in 1980.
Debbie A-H says:
I love her confidence. You go, Annie!
Margie says:
I’m 38 and boy, I remember that first day. I also remember my teacher. Ms. Rundzhier. I love that woman. She changed my life and oh boy, I just adore her. Way to go, Annie.
Jana Frerichs says:
YAY! I love this. As crazy as this sounds, I’ve been looking forward all summer to reading about Annie’s first day of Kindergarten. Thanks for sharing your family with all of us.
Kristen says:
I will be interested to see how you find the split class. I have twin boys starting 5th grade in a week). One of them has been in a split class (he has always been the lower grade in the split) every year except 3rd grade. At first, I didn’t think it was such a bad thing, but in the higher grades, not so much. For example, for 4th grade, both my kids were in 4/5 splits with 30 kids in the class. The teacher not only had to grade/ and provide feedback to 30 kids, but also had to design two different curriculums. Plus, we ended up with more subs, because for example, the teachers went on the one week 5th grade outdoor ed trip, so for that whole week, we had a sub…
Heather says:
Interesting! I think in Kindergarten it will be okay, since the Kindergarteners and first graders have different schedules (recess, lunch, etc). But it will be interesting to see how the year plays out. Right now I am focusing on the positives, like the older role models in her class!
Kristin says:
I have never heard of this split grade concept. Its very interesting. I can see where it would be beneficial in K. They have kids to look up to and show them the ropes. It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on it at the end of the year.
Auntie_M says:
I did an internship in a K-1 split for 2 years in college and loved it. I think because the teacher had been doing it for so long, she really had the process down. It was also interesting because the school was a year-round school but we had the best schedule (August off & 6 weeks at Christmas were what I really remember!)
I think what will be great for Annabel, being as bright as she is, is that she will pick up a lot of extra knowledge from the 1st grade curricula. While much will overlap, not all will & it is there that she will find some benefits.
Katrina says:
I had a Kindergartener who was in a first grade/Kinder combo class. Best year ever!! Then I also had a daughter who was in the 5th grade and in a 4th/5th grade combo class, and she didn’t like it one bit. First of all, her 4th grade teacher was also her 5th grade teacher. Turns out he hand-picked students to be in his combo class, and that’s a compliment to my daughter, and she liked the teacher just fine. But she was hoping for a “change” in environment for her last year of elementary, and there she was with the same teacher, the same classroom, for another year. She didn’t like being with 4th graders because she had to repeat some of the activities that she did the previous year (things like the 4th grade Revolutionary Play, Walk thru California, etc) when she should have been doing more of the 5th grade activities. I think it’s better to be the younger of the two grades, if you are going to be in a split grade classroom.
Nellie says:
Love her style and her intellect – what a magnificent child you have! Kindergarten sounds to have started on a beautiful note and hope it continues all the way down to the very last day of the school year.
Glenda says:
Amazing Annie!!! Love her outfit! Love her confidence! I did the same with my kids… give them time to decompress, change clothes, relax, snack, and then they started telling me all about their day on their own. So much fun to see things through their eyes! Annie will continue to make new friends… “there are a lot of kids to choose from” lol my fav line. Go Annie!
Kristin says:
She is just so cute!! I hope she has a wonderful year in Kindergarten!!
Auntie_M says:
So glad she enjoyed her 1st day and hope she continues to love school! Poor James, though, without his best bud! I think my favorite bit, of course (!), is Annie’s pragmatic attitude about friends. Yes,she could learn that girl’s name OR just choose another nameless friend! The school year is young and there are soooo many children to choose from! One mustn’t limit oneself! LOL
Now, the big question: how did you do sending off baby Annabel to kindergarten and only having James at home? Weird…nice…meh…happy…mixed feelings? Fess up!
Heather says:
Totally happy! I gave Mike a high five as we walked away. This is the good stuff in life!
Katrina says:
I think it’s easier with the first “baby” and harder with the last “baby” – not that I’m there yet, but I’m just supposing. I’ve sent nine children off to their first day of Kindergarten and have never shed a tear, but more like you with the high-fives. Yay! I think it might be a different case when I know I’m sending my last baby off to Kindergarten…and I have no baby to go home to. But then again…the quiet house and free time might be nice
twingles says:
After the first few days of my boys going off to kindy, we were walking back from the bus stop one day and my DD said “I’m angry at the boys” LOL I knew where this was headed – she was mad they were leaving her every day. Boy was the house quiet.
My advice on getting info – don’t ask questions that are easy to answer with “yes” or “no” – try “what did you make in art today?” “what did the kid sitting next to you eat for lunch” “who else has a little brother” and things like that.
Jeanie says:
She looked so cute, and it’s awesome that she was able to remember all those rules. I can still remember what kindergarten SMELLED like, lo, those many, many years ago. (I hope you told the lady in the restaurant booth behind James to put away her damn cell phone.)
Jordan says:
goodness that girl is beautiful (and looking more like her mama in my opinion ). Love her 1st day outfit. Love how the decompressing helped her open up- it usually works! (I finally started telling my parents how my days really were… in college. ha!)
So glad her first day went well (hopefully James will be ok with it after the first few days!). She will thrive in school, and is off to do amazing things!
also apparently I’m really tired cause I can’t do 2-2 tonight. (I put 2! I’m an english major gosh dangit lol)
Allie says:
I haven’t checked this blog in a while, but seeing kids going back to school in my area made me think that it must be time for Annie to start kindergarten. So nice to see that you all are doing well! Annie looks so much like you in that picture in front of her school. James has really grown, too!
Heather says:
Thank you, Allie!
Lauren G says:
Congrats! good luck Annie.
Wendy Constantinoff says:
So pleased to hear Annie’s day went so well. From what I have seen of Annie in her videos I am sure being with first graders will be good for her and stretch her.
Over 30 years ago my daughter started in the reception class age almost five without a backward glance and a “you can leave me at the top of the steps in you want!” She hasn’t looked back since
Katrina says:
On our first day of school, Aiden (same age as James) ran around the house to all the kids’ bedrooms, calling out each name. He had a full summer with them all home with him, so after the morning drop-off, he was confused. He came back to me and asked, “Mom…where Aria?” and I said, “At school.” then he asked, “Where Andrew?” and I said, “He’s at school, too.” and he went down the line asking for each sibling. Finally he said, “No! No school!” and he was mad. LOL Poor little guy. I should have taken him out to breakfast like you did with James.
DefendUSA says:
Late to this party…but, my first middle child had a combination class when he was a kindergartner. This was a fabulous class because each kid had different strengths and it helped them all be less intimidated with what weaknesses they had to overcome and forged a nice, friendly environment. Love.