What a Difference a Year Makes...

for me, anyway :) I didn't cry on the first day of school this year! (or the 2nd, for that matter!!)

Yes, Bennett started FIRST GRADE on Thursday. It's hard to believe that he could possibly be in the first grade, but it's true.

We met his teacher on Wednesday. He had been telling me (and Gigi and Nana) that he was nervous about school starting. Just a little. He told Gigi he was nervous about getting bad grades (interesting, since last year he got many a frowny face without any apparent guilt...) I think he was more unsure of what to expect - and after meeting his teacher (who is so cute and great) and seeing the room, he was not nervous any more. It may have been the calculator that got him... that was what he chose to play with while I filled out the paperwork...

Here he is on the first day in our normal first-day-of-school picture spot...

Here he was on his first day of school (mother's day out) in 2004... (now that makes me want to cry!!) He's still just as cute :)

Please note that this year, he didn't have to use the kindergarten 'bag' so he got to choose his own backpack. Of course, we got... Starwars!!!

He was happy as he got out of the van - excited to start a nap-free day of school.

When I picked him up, he reported that it was a good day. He ate chicken nuggets for lunch. Did 'fitness type things' in PE. He didn't get to share his 'Me Stew' yet. He went to art and made a picture of him sitting on the couch (complete with pillows, a blanket, and Pavel's cabinet in the background). I can't wait to see that picture! They played outside of the playground (the playground was closed). And they read Junie B. Jones (which we don't really approve of, but it allowed us a teaching moment about how we can listen to those types of things, but not act that way...) And - he didn't have to take a nap...

First grade promises to be a great year!!