He had no hesitation, no worries, no fears- just pure excitement that never wavered the whole summer, after meeting his teacher, seeing the classroom and then the first day. I know a lot of this had to do with being so used to going to preschool for full days but I'm still surprised how excited he was to go on a school bus and elementary school with "big kids" with no trepidation.
And of course our little Grant started in a new classroom at preschool with new 3 year olds that were starting for the school year. He was NOT happy watching Auden get on the bus without him but eventually he calmed down and was happy for Daddy to take him to school via bicycle. He ended up having a great first week as well which was great because we did not think he'd do well without his big brother there at first. Success all around this week, hope it continues!
The Kindergarten crew at the bus stop. Auden is one lucky boy!
There he goes!
Poor little brother feeling left out.
All good now, bye Daddy and Grant!
Of course Auden's confidence didn't stop Mommy and Daddy from being nervous his first day, just hoping his day was going well and he'd get off that bus as happy as when he got on. I would say that was an understatement- he literally jumped off the bus and exclaimed "I can't wait to go back tomorrow!" with the biggest smile on his face. And then he said the same thing the next day and next. I'm sure the "newness" is going to wear off at some point, but right now I'd say this kid LOVES school and his first week couldn't have gone better. He lucked out and got all the neighborhood girls in his class that we are close with, as well as sitting next to a girl from his preschool class and a boy from his old soccer team. So, he knew almost half the class already, ha. He has a new teacher that is fresh out of Penn State but she seems very confident and great for the kids with a small class size of 18 kids.
Walking home with next door neighbor Acacia after a successful day. These two make your heart melt. It feels like yesterday that they were 2 years old playing together when we first moved to our house.
It's amazing to think our first baby is a big Kindergartener now. You can't help but to have flashbacks in your mind as he gets on that bus of everything you've been through and he has accomplished in 5.5 years. You think of holding a 3 pound baby in the NICU getting blood transfusions, having a heart condition, riding in ambulances, a first tough year of eating issues and reflux, delayed speech, etc. and it just seems unbelievable that here we are. He is sweet, sensitive, yet adventurous, head-in-the-clouds thinking about everything animal and science related thing he knows, bright-eyed 5 year old ready to take on the world. We are so grateful for and proud of our big boy.
Speaking of accomplishments, Auden had quite a summer. He made the "Mini-Stars" swim team at our swim club which meant that he got to practice 3 mornings a week for a month and compete in two swim meets at the end. It was so cool to watch him get so much stronger at his freestyle stroke from practicing so consistently. He loved it and already can't wait to do it again next summer. He also is our little diving board machine and has NO FEAR when it comes to jumping off things in the water. As soon as he passed his diving test he asked if he could go off the high dive, I made him do one jump off the low springboard first, ha. By the end of the summer he was asking when he can go off the crazy high platform at the indoor pool- he is nuts when it comes to this stuff- braver than his mommy, that is for sure! He's been doing great dives and even trying flips off the low springboard. I have a feeling the diving team may be in his future:)
Coach Sophia with the 5 year olds for their first meet! Auden was the youngest boy on the team!
Passed the diving test: 2 freestyle laps across diving well, floating on back for 2 minutes, then treading water for 2 minutes. Easy peasy after all the swim team practice.
Cannonball to end the summer!
