Viv, I was so very proud of you. I know you were anxious to start kindergarten. You began a daily count-down at least a week before the first day. You mentioned that you were nervous and that you missed that teacher with the long earrings at Concordia (Ms. Cordray). You weren't sure if the kids would be friendly. So after picking out the dress that your sister wore on her first day of kindergarten and eating a hearty breakfast we seem to only pull off that first morning and hoisting on your much-too-big-girl backpack, you marched bravely to line-up. Ella was off and running, catching up with her classmates after the long summer break. You stood in line wedged between Evelyn, Thomas and Mira, three new friends. You stared ahead with a game face that impressed your father. Your glance did not waiver, you could not be cajoled into a smile as I followed you with the camera. You walked past wailing kids, clinging to their parents and made your way through the doorway, stone-faced. I turned my phone ringer up to the loudest possible volume and watched for missed calls for the next six hours. You emerged from your first day proclaiming that you did not have fun and that kindergarten was going to be too much work. Sheesh. Thankfully, we made it back for day, two, three and all the rest up until today. You've even figured out that in order to earn good behavior credits (Horseshoe Hoorays) you need to sit next to the kid that always has trouble opening his applesauce and offer to help. Industrious. Kindergarten seems to be slowly gaining your acceptance...but I'm not sure when you will fully resign yourself to the idea of school. Ella on the other hand has been thoroughly brain-washed and so very excited to start the second grade. She sits next to her best friend Gwen and has already proclaimed the establishment of another best friend, Caitlyn. Thankfully these are both thoroughly level-headed kids with great parents. Ella, stay on this track! Ella's reading light stays on until 9:30 p.m. and Jerry and I don't interfere. I love her love of books and want to encourage the world of reading as much as possible. She is perfecting her ability to read and walk. Ella is diving into some terrific books, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", "Wonder" and "Smile". She has discovered the world of graphic novels and has fallen head over heels. We continue with dance and now Vivian has joined the ranks at the Academy. Soccer games start this week too. Such an exciting (exhausting) time of year. Costco has once again taken our pantry hostage. Applesauce, juice boxes and granola bars abound. And although we melt on the exposed blacktop playground after school, summer is gone. It is down to business once again.
