Kindergarten and kind of a weird day

Since we got home from vacation we have been preparing for Jenna to go to kindergarten. I've made a couple Target trips and one to the dollar store. I need to remember to go there FIRST next time! They have a lot more name brand items (Crayola in particular) than I remember when I was younger. Jenna and I took our own trip to Target on Monday to get two new outfits for school, some shoes and other goodies. She picked out a frozen pizza for our dinner, and we got Ava a new outfit too. We ended the day with getting our nails done. It was a great way to kick off her school year.

We took all of her supplies to school Tuesday night at the Meet the Teacher/Ice Cream Social. The classroom was packed with kids and parents. The teacher went over some basics, including wearing or bringing tennis shoes for Wednesday PE, and that they won't have "time" for snacks during 1/2 day kindergarten. I don't like that at all, first because my kids usually have snacks 2-3 hours between meals, and second because they're schedule is so full that they don't have time. Anyway, when the teacher concluded, she asked if anyone had questions. Who would be the only person to raise her hand? None other than my child. My heart froze expecting a "Kids Say the Darndest Things" moment, and the teacher asked what her question was. Her first response was really low and timid, I told her to speak up, so she repeated louder, "What's 2+2?!" The room filled with "isn't that cute" laughter and "Awws," and the teacher responded, "I'd rather YOU tell me the answer. What is 2+2?" So Jenna answered, "4!" Immediately other kids started chiming in with "3+3 is 6!" and the teacher enthusiastically announced, "We should do math tomorrow!" It was a proud moment. I just love her.

After meeting the teacher and seeing Jenna's classroom we went to get ice cream in the cafeteria. It wasn't much, just a a few kids and parents in there. I got some PTO and other fundraiser info., and we went off to do a trial bus ride. We got on the bus, and she was pretty excited...until it got going. She sat very quietly looking out the window the whole time. After we got back to the school I checked to see if we needed any other information and waited after another couple to talk to the principal who was out front. As we were waiting Jenna was telling me that her head and tummy hurt. We continued to wait until it was my turn. My first question was, "How long can we stay tomorrow?" He and the couple laughed, but there was a short awkward moment considering I was totally serious. I laughed it off but was still waiting for an answer. I he realized it and told me the teachers would announce at a certain point that it was time for the parents to go, then there would be a "boo hoo" breakfast afterward. After our conversation, and checking the bus schedule for tomorrow, we left, Jenna still complaining about her stomach hurting. I thought it might be motion sickness from the bus; Jenna did say she didn't like the loud noise of the engine. When we got home she just wanted to lay on the couch and rest. I went out to get some take-out for dinner, came back, and Jenna wanted to go to bed without eating. It was 6  p.m. I was in shock. She got up around 8:30, used the bathroom, still didn't want to eat and went back to bed until 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Jenna came into my room, crawled in bed, I went out the living room where she had been laying down, for who knows how long:, and left the light on. We all went back to sleep. Jared was yelling by 7, so Ava and I got up. Jenna kept sleeping until 7:30. She said her tummy still hurt a little bit, but was ok to go to school. I let her choose our breakfast, pancakes and yogurt, but she didn't eat much of it. We were early getting to the bus stop, and the bus was late, but she seemed excited and was running around with her friends while we were waiting. So off she went! Ava was a little sad saying, "I go too," but we walked back home and took our time going over to the school. We parked across the street, and I ran holding her to make the crosswalk lights. It was a good thing too, because we were just in time to see Jenna get off the bus! She didn't even notice I was around until I went behind her to get some pictures. We followed around to the classroom, put her backpack away and she sat in her seat. After a few minutes it was time for the principal to come on the loud-speaker and do the Pledge of Allegiance. Jenna and the boy next to her were the only ones who didn't want to be bothered with it and didn't stand up. Great. I gave her a couple hugs, and the kids lined up to go to the gym for PE. Cue parents to leave. I started to, REALLY, but then I saw some other parents following the kids. So why not? Ava and I slowly made our way over, I took a quick picture, and we went to the cafeteria for bagels and juice at the "boo hoo breakfast."

When we got home, Jared was napping, Ava was cranky, and I didn't really know what to do with myself. Today has just felt weird. Ava went down for a nap at 11, instead of the usual 1 or 2, and I took Jared with me to get Jenna off the bus. She is still complaining of her stomach hurting, didn't want to eat lunch, and went to take a nap from 1-3! Jared just went down for a THIRD nap. The routine of the day is not at all what I expected for Jenna's kindergarten days. All of her symptoms are very similar to the last time took her to the hospital and pediatrician, which might be TMI that Jenna would want everyone to know about  :)

Overall, I am feeling very selfish right now for even having her to go to school today. There was one girl out sick from her class today, and I probably should've kept her home. It wouldn't have been a big deal. She would've still had HER first day, whether it was the official first day of school or not. She probably would have enjoyed it even more. I think I cared more about the "first day" hoopla than she did, but didn't want to miss it. She did tell me that she wants me to take her and pick her up from school. That was the plan that Lance wanted anyway, and she does have about 11 more years that she can ride it. I don't want to force something like that if it's going to make her shut down or be anxious. And one more way to hold to her on is fine by me.  :)

A 5-year-old's prayer

It isn't often that Jenna wants to say her bedtime prayer herself, but she volunteered tonight. There were actually 4 or 5 prayers as she'd have something new to say after each "amen," or Ava would say, "Pray again." The synopsis in an abnormally sweet, gentle voice:

"Dear God, thank you for this wonderful world you created to enjoy. Thank you for my friend Jackie coming over, it was stupendous! Thank you for this beautiful day! The glory of your salvation is a beautiful thing..."

It totally made up for her not listening and abusing her sister today  :)