New Beginnings

"Do you remember what today is?" I ask.
"Oh Yeah! It's Eagleridge today!" answers Anna Cate as she wheels around and runs out of the bathroom.

Forty-Five minutes later and we are ready to head out the door. Anna Cate is dressed, new shoes are double-knotted on her sensitive little feet, hair is brushed and has a ribbon in it, heart bracelet has been placed on her wrist because is "matches [her] shirt", teeth are brushed, backpack is packed (okay, I did that last night), water bottle is full. And, even though we will be ten minutes early, Anna Cate insists that we go ahead and get on the road. Wow, what a difference a year makes!

During our time together this morning she shared a few of her insights concerning First Grade. First of all, she wanted to explain that pre-k and kindergarten were similar in that they were both really for little kids. First grade, second grade, "all the grades" meant that you were really getting closer to being a grown-up. (She really cracks me up!) She also explained that already knowing some of the children and schedule really made things much easier.

So, here she is, ready for her first day of first grade at Eagleridge...


She spotted two of her friends and without so much as a backward glance, marched right into her new classroom and sat down. I was happy...and sad, I mean, where is my hug? My little kiss on the cheek? My "will you come a little early, Mom?"

I would also like to mention that I was not the only one who was missing the little stinker. I happened to walk by Anna Cate's room, and this is what I saw...


Little Abby, laying on one of AC's shirt, wondering where her best friend has gone.