"One word." I told her. "Kindergarten."
Yes, kindergarten. No, I am not teaching kindergarten. I am not even attending kindergarten. But if you have two kids in afternoon kindergarten, it officially becomes the center of your universe.
We spend all morning Getting Ready for Kindergarten. There's not really enough time to go for a playdate or run more than one major errand. Several changes of clothing are involved. Also, people are starving. All the time. Which means apple slicing, peanut butter spreading, cracker crumbing, countertop wiping and more changes of clothing.
Then, no matter how early we start or how organized I am, we somehow are always Rushing to Catch the Bus. I am old-fashioned and don't believe in driving to the bus stop unless the weather is really really really bad. So we walk, we bike, we scoot, we fall, we get muddy, we collect sticks and we climb trees. It is quite a production.
By the time the boys climb into the bus, I am very relieved that no one has broken an arm. I wave and give the twins our "secret sign" as they look through the window. Then I chat with my neighbor, Sue, for a few minutes. We solve several world problems and then I walk slowly home dragging a Razor Spark scooter and a red two-wheeler behind me.
My official kindergarten title is Room Mom. Kindergarten room mom at our school is responsible for lining up parent helpers for Kidwriting each day. Which means I am constantly bugging the parents with emails and phone calls. Or doing Kidwriting in the classroom. Or watching another mom's toddlers so she can go do Kidwriting.
I am always happy when it's my turn to help out. I love elementary school. I loved attending. I loved teaching. I love construction paper and the smell of school lunch (usually).
When I walk into the classroom, the kids are so happy to see me. Nothing is better for one's self-esteem than Kindergarten Love. After hanging with a bunch of eye-rolling teenagers in Seminary every morning, walking into kindergarten is like stepping into a warm bubble bath. They fight to sit next to me! They call out my name! They like my red hoodie! I feel like the Star of the Week.
The truth is my seminary students are not a whole lot different than a group of kindergartners. Both enjoy snacks, stories, sitting by their friends. Both need frequent reminders to stay on task and stop chatting. Both think life is exciting and extremely difficult at the same time. They are right.
As much as I complain about the daily inconveniences of kindergarten, the truth is that I am going to really miss it next year. No more morning buddies to ride in a firetruck shopping cart and embarass me at the grocery store. No more Kidwriting. No more Star of the Week.
But, thankfully, there is no time to worry about that now. It's time to start Rushing to Catch the Bus!
15 comments:
This warmed my heart and made me long for our kindergarten days. You are doing such a good work, every day. (And as a seminary parent, I curtsy and say thank you for doing that every single crack-of-dawn morning.)
I love kindergarteners. Their teeth are all missing and their smiles are all small. No big scary teeth. They're happy to do anything you ask them. They think emptying the dishes are fun. Sniff. Send me those twinks!
I love your comparison of seminary students and kindergarteners. I found that to be true when I taught early morning seminary too!
OH what a surprise: perfectly put.
4 and 5 are the best ages ever. I'm serious.
Maybe I need to hangout in Kindergarten, I've had a few too many eye rolls and lukewarm responses in YW.
Sounds like my routine everyday! Do your kids have a lot of homework too? My Maddie-girl has a lot in my opinion for Kindergarten. But it is cute to see how much fun she is having and how much she loves it!
I have a love-hate relationship with kindergarten. I love the age, I love the cuteness, I love how much the kids loved having me volunteer. I hated dropping off my kid and returning 2 and half hours later--barely time to do anything and there was never enough time before or after to really get stuff done.
That picture of your boys is so cute.
you know, i'm just not missing it.
Kindergarten just didn't do it for me. They weren't gone long enough for me to miss them. Actually, I didn't miss them much until they went to college.
As always, this was so poignantly written. I really love your writing.
I have dragged scooters behind me, too. I must say, I hate it when those Razor Scooters twist when I am dragging them and they whack me in the ankles.
I know what you mean about feeling like, "Star of the Week". When I was the Sunbeam teacher I felt like a rock star. When I'd walk into Sacrament Meeting to find a seat I was greeted with smiles and waves from all over the chapel.
I will officially graduate from high school in June for the fourth time. It is bittersweet.
Your kindergarten boys are so cute with their backpacks that are as big as they are.
I love kindergarten circle time, the kids who fall asleep during storytime and the paste eaters.
I'm sad Grace is in 1st. They still love me in her class and they are still super super cute, but I'm sad she's gone all day. Even when half the time she spent her morning screaming at me...
My girls twins the cut off for kindergarten next year. Part of me is sad, because I know they will be ready, and that they would love it. The other part of me will just plain miss them too much.
Love this post! Love ALL your posts!
You're going to LOVE 1st grade.
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