Tate Goes To Kindergarten

Tate is a month away from turning 6 years old and he started kindergarten last week at Hawthorne Elementary in Mrs. Humbyrd's class.  There are 30 kids in his class and they attend all day.  I am relieved that a friend of mine is the para-educator in his classroom most of the day.  It's still a huge class and his being gone most of the day is a big adjustment for us all.  Tate told me exactly what to put in his lunch, "Four strawberries, two string cheeses, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, juice, and fruit snacks."  He also chose his outfit so that "the school will know that (the angry bird bomb) is my favorite."  Avery also packed a lunch and hauled it in her backpack, but she did a very good job of letting him stay at school while she walked home with Henry and me.

We were out the door early and Tate chose all his locations and poses, which were mostly goofy, to document the special day.  As you can see, he was very excited, but I know he was a little nervous, too.  He wanted to also take pictures in our neighbor's yard so I knocked on their door to ask.  They have a couple little boys near his age and one came and gave Tate a big hug.  It was cute.  I was full of emotion, and for the record, sending a child to kindergarten is traumatic.  But I take comfort in knowing that Tate is a good boy and a social boy. Plus it helps to know that the school is just around the corner from our home.  Eric peeked at him practicing lining up outside when he drove-by that morning.

He had a good first day and was worn out.  We didn't have time to rest, though, because Ty's family was visiting in Pendleton.  So we picked up Tate and headed out of town to play with cousins and also attend cousin Chaz's baptism on Saturday.  The information from Tate about school is as follows:

*He likes his teacher.  Yay!

*His P.E. teacher claims to be funnier than Bugs Bunny AND Donal Duck.  Impressive.

*The P.E. floor is cement and walls are brick so they have to be careful not to run into either.

*They made gingerbread men, and Mrs. Humbyrd will cook them at home this weekend.

*We packed too much lunch and he brought the excess home to finish.  They get snacks at school.

*Of the two kids he sits next to, one plays with him and the other doesn't.