She’s Off To First!

As I stood with my son in the driveway this morning, I watched Sam backing out to take Ella for her last day of Kindergarten. At the end of the driveway, she shouted out the window to Andrew, “Make sure dad doesn’t cry!” My family knows me so well.

You would think that this kind of thing wouldn’t be a big deal to me. After all, I have been through the “First and last days of (enter grade here) over and over again with my oldest sons. I’ve seen them both graduate high school, too. Yet this monumental moment still leaves me with a ump in my throat and a tear in my eye.

Yes, last night I went in and took the “last sleep as a kindergartner picture.”

It is no surprise that there is a half read book above her, as she always has her nose in a book. I waited for her to fall asleep and went and laid next to her for a bit. It seems like just yesterday I was carrying her around in her car seat.

Little by little she has been bringing stuff home from school this week. She brought home her “Portfolio” with her first day of school picture on it. Inside there were drawings of herself and her name written at various stages of the year.

She also brought home a “Time Capsule” that she cannot open until graduation day. I can’t even imagine what might be in there, but I’m sure that it will be a wonderful memory when she opens it.

As we pulled all of this out of her backpack, I was all smiles. I am so proud of her accomplishments. She has excelled in so many ways. Those smiles turned to tears as Sam showed me the next item …

That simple verse and her golden handprint get to me. The water works turn on. What a joy it has been to watch her grow. There is no doubt in my mind that she will have bright dreams, will learn more than I will ever know, and shine her light like a beacon in the future. My God, what a blessing she is! Watch out world – Pamela is on her way!

As far as the helping hands, well, she happened to have the absolute best teacher ever. In the many times throughout the year that I have been able to sit with her in class and interact with her classmates, I have seen what an amazing and caring person Mrs. S is. She goes above and beyond for her kids and it shows. It cannot be easy to do what she does. There are many personalities and order is not always there. Yet, in those tense and chaotic situations, I watched her handle the class with patience and love.

As far as what she has done for Ella, there are just too many things to mention. There’s a special pride that a parent feels when the teacher says, “I’m not sure what I would do without her.” I have watched her challenge Ella and have her accept that challenge readily. I have seen Ella jump in to help when Mrs. S needs it (and hasn’t asked for it). I have watched as the values taught in the classroom arrive at home.

If Mrs. S doesn’t already know who special she is, I need to share the conversation from yesterday. As we drove home from school, Ella said, “I’m going to miss Mrs. S. I wish she and her family could come and live with us. Then she could be my second mommy.” I would venture a guess that not every child is wrapping up the school year with that kind of love for their teacher.

She made sure to send Ella home with new books to read over the summer. Every child got an award from the teacher. Again, it is no surprise that Ella came home with the “Rad Reader” award.

I will be excited to hear about her last day of school this afternoon. It has been an amazing year!

Oh, and because Ella is like her mom and cannot wait to give gifts, she gave me an early gift. At first she wanted to put it up and away from me, but she decided I had to get it early.

She made a pickle out of her foot! I won’t lie, it’s nice knowing that I’m kind of a big “dill!”

First grade is going to be so exciting!