THE KUPPERSMITH FAMILY: Liam's First Day of Kindergarten

Liam started Kindergarten the second week of August. This past year, whenever anyone asked me how I was doing about him going to Kindergarten, I would alway say, "OK, it is so much easier because he is really really excited and ready to go." Liam has been planning his bus ride and being a kindergartener since he got his school calendar at Pre-K registration and found the graduation hat in the month of May. He is always up for new adventures, has never met a stranger, and is a curious little guy. I love that about him...probably because I wish I had a little more of that in me.

We went school supply shopping, just he two of us and had fun picking out the red backpack he had to have (his favorite color) that is almost as big as he is. He had been counting down the days, and it was finally time.

About a week before the first day, it hit me...my little guy, my baby, is going to KINDERGARTEN!!! It was so nice to have him home all summer and I was really going to miss having him around. So much would change. The past 5 years have been about doing what he wanted for the most part because even when Marlo and Arden came along, they always wanted to do whatever Liam chose. I was going to go from trains, cars and super heroes to dolls, dress up, still some super heroes:), and who knows what else but my house was only going to have two little girls in it now. It felt like something would be missing. Also, the overall milestone of him being 5 and starting school and just realizing my time as a full time stay at home mom with him was over was more difficult than I ever imagined. That morning, Blake took time off from work and I prepared myself but in no way was I truly prepared. I wish someone would have warned me that I would be SOBBING!!! Thankfully I made it home after he was on the bus for that though. Marlo cried as soon as he got on the bus too. That didn't help Mommy at all. I cried over and over throughout the morning. I texted a few friends who did the same and by about noon, I would say I had pulled it together a little. Blake gave me several hugs and was very sweet but this whole thing took me completely by surprise. Thankfully, I wasn't worried about him getting his lunch or finding his way because he isn't shy at all. I also don't consider myself a needy mom who only finds my value from my kids. I just truly love them so much and this transition was bittersweet in so many ways.

Well enough about me...it really isn't about me...it is about Liam and he had a great day!! He came home talking about the Science Lab he was excited to use, doing a Pete the Cat search around the school, the big slide, his lunch of chicken nuggets, corn, and chocolate milk, and so much more. He had one hiccup, however. When we asked the bus driver his bus number at the meet the teacher day, he gave us one number but it turns out, it was the WRONG bus number. Poor Liam was on the wrong bus to get home and thankfully, his assistant principal, who happens to volunteer with me at church, knew him and switched him to the right bus so he could make it home. Kind of a big deal but it all turned out ok. Liam couldn't wait to have ice cream on Friday and get enough compliments to earn a blow pop. He enjoys tub time and is great at his sound stretches. So far, his behavior seems to have matured since preschool and his teacher is pleased with what she sees. She even mentioned him being an example to other students. For now, Liam has his sights on becoming an inventor when he grows up. I know no matter what, he will do great things. I can't wait to see what this new chapter brings.