We Survived K

I can not believe that today is Ainsley's last day of kindergarten. I feel like it was just yesterday that Philip and I were walking into an unfamiliar school, to an unfamiliar classroom where she hung up her backpack in a little cubby with her name on it and walked to a desk with her name written on it. Then upon leaving her there, without me, how the tears began falling and the sobs began. Philip was embarrassed and the seasoned parents were chuckling. I felt like she had just gone from the hospital bed she was born in, to college in the blink of an eye. It was a rough day for me. 

When we picked her up that day she complained that the day was just too long. I concurred. The next day I was allowed to walk her to class again but on the third day I wasn't allowed to. Which at the time I thought was stupid and so I stood at the glass window of the cafeteria watching her walk until I couldn't see her anymore. I think this was the hardest part for me, was sending her into the care of someone else. For 5 years she had been with me, and therefore I knew everything about her days. Now here she is spending 7 hours with people I don't know doing heaven knows what. And forget trying to get information from her, she just wouldn't tell me about her day. the first few weeks I felt lost and honestly I felt like I was in mourning every time we did something without her.  So we started counting down days until her next day off. We flushed ice down the toilet for snow days. We made the most of the afternoons and weekends. And eventually, it got easier. She started making friends. She asked for Emma to come over after school. She wanted some of her new friends at her birthday party. And she also started getting invited to birthday parties. Her assistant teacher Mrs Carter told me she couldn't believe it when she heard someone being loud and it was Ainsley. she said " I wasn't even mad I was so happy to hear her!". At school functions kids would run up to her and hug her. and my heart swelled at each of these things. Because it was like the Lord was giving me a big hug. Because how hard have I prayed for her this year. For her heart, for her friends, for her teachers. and God is so faithful and answered my prayers in so many ways. 

Emmas mom texted me this picture today from lunch time:) 

Ainsley has grown so much this year. Not only can she speak Spanish better than Philip or I, read a book, and scored great on her tests all year. But she has made some great friends who happen to have great moms. Which is great because she will stay with this same class all through Spanish Immersion. This morning I am having some of the K moms over for a "we survived kindergarten" brunch. because as proud as I am of Ainsley for doing so wonderful this year, I am also proud of myself. I am now on the PTA board, I have gotten to know most of her teachers and administration. I have let her be independent when I didn't want to. and we both have grown in a lot of good ways. 
The transition to school life was hard on all of us. I had to wake her up every.morning. She had to start going to bed earlier. Ainsley had homework every night which was also a big adjustment for us. But we adjusted and I can confidently say that she has enjoyed her first year of school. 

Today is the last day of Kindergarten and I honestly can not believe how fast this year went. Tonight, we celebrate with a sleepover and s'mores.