Our Whitty Kids: First Day of Kindergarten!!!

Today was Will's first day of Kindergarten! I can hardly believe it. My sweet little boy is growing so fast.

A blogger from the Orlando Sentinel wrote this. I cannot agree more;

Dear Kindergarten,

I see you.
You're here. Already.

And I have a few things to say to you.

I got your list. I've met your demands.
You want ten glue sticks?
You got 'em.
Antibacterial soap?
Check!
24 sharpened number 2 pencils? Done!

We've been reading and doing flash cards. We've practiced writing.
We know what you want...
and we're ready.

Well, mostly.

There's one thing I'm struggling with.

You see, kindergarten, this boy I'm sending you is my heart.

He is my whole world.

And I worry that walking through your doors will be the start of a journey that will change him.
And us.

I know he'll experience wonderful things... from great new friends to the amazing art and music rooms we saw when we took your tour.

But for me, kindergarten, you also represent a new chapter.
The next several years will set the foundation for the kind of man he becomes. There have been limited influences on that since he was born.
Now there will be many.

So, here's my promise to you, kindergarten.
His dad and I will do our best.
We know home is where it starts.
We are ultimately responsible for his character and his choices.
We will work hard to ensure we are sending you a respectful, considerate and enthusiastic kid everyday.

Now here's what I need from you:
Please keep him safe.
Please be kind to him.
Please let him be a kid.

Letting him go to you and all you represent for years to come is very hard for me.
But like millions of other parents, I will move forward with faith.
I'll let go and hope for the best.

I've decided not to sit in the school parking lot all day.
That would be, well... weird.
But I will be waiting.
I know it will get easier everyday... especially when I see how much he enjoys you.

But let's work together, ok?
For him and all the children headed your way... let's do our very best.

Thanks, Kindergarten.
We'll see you Monday.

Love,
Benjamin's Mom

He is so excited to go to Thornebrooke Elementary and meet all of the new friends in Ms. Shields' class. We went last week and got to see his desk and where everything is.

He is especially excited that his friend Jaxson is in his class. We knew 2 kids going to Thornebrooke and the one who he considers a good buddy is the one in his class.

It is kind of weird to have our first day photos happen at Gramma's house, but our house will be ready soon enough.

I am so excited about all of the great things he is going to learn. He will start to read this year. He will eat lunch with friends every day. He will go on field trips.

I still cannot believe that I am going to drive up to a building every day and my sweet, innocent boy is going to get out of the car and enter said building without me. How does that even happen?