Levi's First Day of Kindergarten!

Today was a big day for our oldest. Levi started Kindergarten!

 Pictures from his (late) Registration

I'm still in a bit of disbelief. How did we get here so very fast?! For the last several weeks Levi has been asking me often, "how many days until I go to Kindergarten?!" He was so excited! The weekend before school Levi had a special, solo sleepover at Pop and Moe's house. While there, Moe took him shopping and he chose his first day of school out fit complete with shoes. None of us could believe he would choose something so grown up and preppy! Earlier that week we went shopping and he chose his backpack and lunch box which are both solid blue, which was a again a surprise. We started off the day with Levi's choice for breakfast, and Daddy was even home to send him off (he usually leaves for work long before we get up). Joel and I took Levi to school and walked him to his class where he walked right in with out missing a beat like he had done it a million times. He didn't seem even the slightest bit nervous! Joel and I on the other hand were feeling very strange about the whole situation! I'm a bit worried about how much Joel will miss his best friend and constant play mate this year (especially once baby takes away my attention) and unfortunately he was a bit emotional and even cried a little when we dropped Levi off. Hopefully once he starts preschool he will adjust quickly to our new normal.

Levi's special breakfast of choice, grapes, toast and cheesey eggs

Walking in on his first day!!!

Joel was pretty emotional...Levi was very sweet to his little bro :)

Thankfully, Levi's first day went very well and he was just as enthusiastic when I picked him up as he was during the weeks prior. When I asked him how his day was he said, "It was a good day, a very, very good day!" He was grinning ear to ear and a chatter box all the way to the car. He did mention that they didn't really learn anything today, but just talked "a whole lot about rules," but he also said he had fun during art time and "got really sweaty playing on the playground at recess." His teacher seems very sweet and Levi really likes her. After meet the teacher he told me, "I like Ms. Petrone, she is so nice and pretty!" So far, I agree. I'm praying for her, and feel blessed to have a mom of 3 boys teaching my little guy who is a very busy, typical little boy. At least I know she knows what normal boy behavior is! :)

We are moving soon (more on that later) so Levi is attending school in what will be our new neighborhood. I didn't think I knew anyone at this school, but today I found out that 2 families from our church have older kids there, and one of his friends from preschool is in Kindergarten there as well! It was nice to see some familiar faces :) I can't wait to get more familiar with our neighborhood and the families we will meet through our new home and the school.

Philip and I have been praying for Levi often as he starts this new chapter in his life. It is weird to let go of some of the "control" we have over his life, and watch him learn to make his own decisions with this big increase in independence. We hope he does his best every day, excels in school and reaches his full potential in all of his school activities. But most of all we desire for him to make good choices, treat his teachers and class mates with love and respect and be the special boy God made him to be. He has such a good, tender, caring heart and we pray he continues to grow and develops into a young man who treats people as a Christian should while doing his best to achieve his goals. It's a tall order, but I know he can do it with God's help (as well as with lots of prayer and guidance from his parents who will also seek God's help!).

 

All ready to start class!

I also pray often that Levi makes good choices as he makes friends, I have several friends from Kindergarten and elementary school with whom I am still close, and I hope Levi can be as blessed as I have been to have life long friends with whom he can depend on to share the same values, beliefs and ideals as our family. I'm excited to start this journey with my little love, but I'd be lying if I didn't mention that I am also feeling nervous, scared, worried, old, and generally a hormonal emotional mess. Mostly I feel good about Levi starting school, and the timing is really nice with a new baby on the way, but I just can't believe my baby already has one toe out the door and into this great big world! I can't wait to see where all God will take him in the years to come!