We Made It!

And just like that, our youngest started kindergarten!  People keep asking me if I am sad that my youngest is starting school.  The truth is I feel like we just crossed the finish line of early childhood, and we. made. it.  Phew!  Those early years are precious and so much fun, but they are also exhausting, especially caring for young children and working full time. I will not miss schlepping three kids to day care, going to a full day of work, picking them up and doing the crazy dinner/bath/bed routine repeat x 5 each week.  But I definitely will miss those chubby cheeks, the sweet kisses, toddler giggles and the like.  Fortunately, they all still climb in my bed every night and we read together, which I love.

For her part, Julia is so ready for kindergarten.  With a fall birthday, she is one of the oldest in her class.  And she has watched her older brothers do school.  On the way in on the first day, we were toward the end of the line of kindergarten kids, and it didn't occur to me until several kids around us burst into tears as they got closer to the classroom door that the end of the line is where the kids who are apprehensive about going linger.  Julia looked at me like "where are you taking me, exactly?" I quickly told her that while she has been going to preschool for two years, this is the first time that some kids are away from their parents and she will have to be a helper to made them feel better. That seemed to sound okay to her.  After her first day I asked her if she liked kindergarten.  Her response was "Like it?!?  I LOVE it!"  Sounds like we are off to a good start.