First Day: First Grade

August 15, 2010

It seems just three weeks ago that we attended Katie's kindergarten graduation and got her all hyped about how great the summer was going to be....

And the time flew and we found ourselves at the first day of First Grade. While Melissa still experienced some back-to-school jitters, I was so relaxed about the first day that I didn't even feel the need to attend the First Day ceremonial escorting of my daughter to class. We had visited Katie's class on Friday, met her teacher, Mrs. Still, and watched Katie chat easily with her for a few minutes. I was confident that all would go well today.

When I arrived home from work this evening, I noticed that Katie was as excited and cheerful as I've probably ever seen her. She willingly told us about her first day of class. Even though her first "homework" assignment was to tell her parents about her first day of class, I feel that she would have wanted to tell about her day, whether it was assigned or not.

Melissa noticed that Katie was playful with her all afternoon and wanted to be with Melissa. And I noticed what can only be described as a joyfulness to Katie's spirit all evening long.

Following our reading of "Millions of Cats," and Katie's uncharacteristically cheerful bedtime preparation rituals - normally so belabored and irritating - we found enough time left in the evening to play a few minutes of video games. And when Katie heard it was almost 8 o'clock, she instantly turned the game off and sprinted for her bed (Who are you, child!).

As I walked away after having helped her with her prayers and had kissed her goodnight, I heard Katie exclaim "First Grade!" Melissa said it was just a random and gleeful cheer from our daughter.

Her little cheer was music to our ears.