Growing Up!

I apologize for slacking somewhat on posting, but it has been very status quo at our house lately. I have tons of photos from our summer fun and I will dedicate a post to that in the near future. To be quite honest, I just haven't had the right words to express the flood of emotions I have on a day to day basis.

However, this post is dedicated to my Ainsley Elizabeth and the fact that she is growing up way too fast! Monday marked her first day of "big kid" school as she entered half-day kindergarten. Ainsley is still only 4 and will not be 5 until November 17th. She was originally placed in a pre-kindergarten program for any child in our district with a late birthday (Sept. 1st - Dec. 1). However, that program was cut due to budget restrictions so in leu of putting in her 4th year of preschool, we opted to test her to enter kindergarten early. She passed the test and is now in a half-day program in a neighboring school. We tell her it's a special pre-kinder class because our plan is to have her go to full-day kinder next year at our local school. We prefer that she be the oldest in her class versus the youngest.

Because the school she is attending is in a near by neighborhood, she has the chance to ride a school bus. This by far has been the highlight of her first three days! The bus picks her up and drops her off right in front of our house and she is the first one on and last one off. I am normally not a very nostalgic person, that is Marcus's job, but I have to admit that seeing her get on the bus on Monday morning brought tears to my eyes. As any parent would ,we promptly jumped in our car and followed her to school. As worried parents we fretted over everything. "Will she know where to go? Will someone be there to get her to her class? Will she be crying from fear?" We watched her from a short distance getting off the bus and all of those questions were immediately answered when she saw us. She looked at me and said "Ugh, mom what are you doing here?" Can you believe it? Kicked to the curb already! Needless to say, she is doing fine and loving her half-day program. Her new thing is that she doesn't even want me to go outside when the bus picks her up and drops her off. I was given strict instructions this morning to just stand in the door and wave. So independent for only 4 years old.

Looking so grown up!

Outside the house waiting for the bus. She insists on being outside waiting on the curb.

They are getting so big. Emerson is in her 2nd year of preschool.

The first one on that giant bus.

Away she goes - and the rope gets longer :(