First Day of School

It was Ariana's first day of kindergarten yesterday. My oh my, has she grown.





She really wanted to ride the bus this year, so the bus it is. We returned home on Saturday to find her bus info in the mail. Um, she was scheduled to be picked up from the bus stop at 6:10am. WHAT? That is entirely too early for a five year old. We live just 3-4 miles from school and she's supposed to ride the bus for over two hours? We were pissed to say the least and were trying to find alternatives. For now, it wasn't a big deal since I can drop off & pick up, but if I go back to work...we'd need other arrangements.

I took her to school yesterday with the plan of calling the bus company and saying she wouldn't be riding. Jason called and it turns out there was a mistake. Her pick up time is 8:04am. That's a bit more reasonable. So, we walked to the bus stop this morning and off she went.

Riding the Bus

Well, she's off and riding. Ariana talked all morning about riding the bus today, and kept asking me if it was time for the bus to be at our home yet. I was so proud of her, she got right on. No issues whatsoever. I was nervous as last week, we hopped on the bus at school to show her the inside and she pulled the shy act on me. Today, she was full of confidence and excitement to see her friends. She didn't even want to say goodbye or give me a kiss, "Mom, I need to get to school." As the bus pulled away and I turned to walk back to the house, I couldn't help but tear up a little. My sweet baby girl is growing up.

PTC

We had parent-teacher conferences for Ariana on Monday evening. She's doing well. Her teacher went over the list of things they watch for and she's hitting the marks appropriately. She's got a nice circle of friends, and is writing her letters (upper & lower) very well. Lately everything is this word starts with " ". When we are driving around she's spelling words she sees along the way.

One of her favorite things to do at school is to visit the library and do arts & crafts. She also likes to play kitchen and puzzles. The classroom also has computers that helps the kids learn to read, which she enjoys doing.

She continues to have issues with being hard on herself, but it's improving. It helps her to see her friends asking for help. Ariana starts taking the bus to school on Monday. She's excited about it and can't wait to sit with her friends on the bus.

The big yellow bus

We decided at the beginning of the school year that I'd drop off and pick up Ariana from school each day. Well, it looks like she'll be riding the bus if I get that job. So, I'm thinking we'll get her started riding the bus to school for now. She really wants to ride to school with her friends, and plus it allows me to let Phoenix sleep midday rather then breaking up his naps into two shorter ones am & pm. The bus will take her to school and I'll pick her up. Perfect. This bus only has the 4K kids on it, so no worries about bigger kids.

Should be easy, right? So why do I have a small set of anxiety over this? She's growing up way too fast. She's in that stage where she is so independent yet still wants to occasionally snuggle with mom. She's moving to a little girl into a young girl.

First Day of Big School

Ariana had her first day of "big school" today. She starts 4yo kindergarten this year. After preschool last year, she's pumped and ready to go! She didn't want me taking all sorts of photos, so I snapped these first two and then was told to knock it off. ;) (Mom, the papparazzi) I got a fun photo of her cheesy smile after school and included a photo of one of her art projects today. The big highlight was snacktime where she had chocholate milk and a cookie. They sang a song about a crocodile and a monkey, and got to play outside.





My little girl is growing up. We are so proud of her and of who she has become so far. This little girl has opened our eyes to behold new experiences with a child's view. To find delight in the clouds, the bees buzzing in the flowers, and so much more. I hope she stays true to herself as she grows up, and follows all of her dreams into the stars. To dance to music even if others cannot hear it. To sing without abandon so the angels can hear her voice. I hope she believes in herself and that she can do anything she sets her heart and mind to. And I hope she knows and remembers that she is always loved.

My baby girl is growing so fast.