Kindergarten Playdate

Today was the "meet the playground" for the Minnesauke kindergartners. I took my girlfriend Karen's daughter Ava with us, she is also starting next week and is in Allison's class. I stopped at Starbucks on the way for a caffeine boost.... considering I haven't sleep since yesterday and worked the overnight last night. We headed to Minnesauke and made it there just on time. Allison and Ava were given name tags will a yellow colored dot on it- the dot corresponded to the teacher you have... so as you are playing you can find other children with the color you have and they are in your class. It was hot! The playground is in direct sun, and kids were quickly tired and hot from the sun. We took a break from climbing and went to have a snack in the cafeteria. I luckily ran in to the PTA vice-president, whom I have worked with on some committees and become friendly with. I got to talking to her... and volunteered to be the class historian for the kindergartners. I am really excited about it. The class historian remains that until the children are in 6th grade... I will be collecting and cataloging photos for the next 7 years- AND at that time- when they are in 6th grade I will be the head of the yearbook committee. I also had mentioned my desire to be the class contact for either class... she is in charge of assigning them also. After a drink and a snack, Karen met us at the school and we made our way around finding the classroom for the girls. When we found Allison's classroom it had a big frog on the outside and the theme was "Leap into Kindergarten" unfortunately the teacher had the classroom window blocked from the inside so we were unable to peek in. We decided to outside to the back of the school, to try a look inside that way... and was even more disappointed to find that the blinds were shut!!! oh well. We found Katies classroom and peeked in and then checked out the gym and cafeteria and then ended with the library. You could see that Katie was pretty psyched to be the "older" kid (my big bad 2nd grader) and really enjoyed being able to show Allison and Ava around. When we left we took a ride to get some pizza... leaving Karens car at the school. Pizza was good... except right in the middle of eating I realized that I never took a picture of Allie and or Ava in front of the classroom. SO we decided that when we get back to drop off Karen and Ava we would go back in and take the necessary photos. I am so glad we did. When we got to Allison room, the door was open and her teacher was there. Allison's official teacher, Mrs. Bruenig, had a baby this summer so is on maternity leave until December... Mrs. Sheehan is her leave replacement... and she was there. It was exciting to meet her and the girls got a chance to wander around the room while Karen and I chatted with the teacher. It turns out she is also from the Three Village area and her children go to Mount. Karen knew her from Spotlight dance in Stony Brook Village where Hannah and Mrs. Sheehan's daughter took classes together. We discovered that we know some of the same people... because before becoming a teacher, she was a RN and worked in Mather's ER. It really is a small world after all!!!
Well I think it was safe to say that Allison, after today, finally feels like Minnesauke is her school. She is happy and excited about the upcoming year (Thank goodness). I am getting excited also- sort of-it is really bittersweet. I know she is more than ready, I just hope that I am. I think that having your youngest start grade school in a HUGE milestone. I am leaving behind a part of my life that I have had for last 7 1/2 years....and I guess sort of mourning that fact that I no longer have babies. Every new phase is exciting, and I feel as though we are setting off on a new adventure. This past spring I got a promotion at work Emergency Services Dispatcher 2...making me the supervisor of the dispatchers, in charge of the radio room, its equipment and its operations. I also have to refresh my EMT-B certification, and take a intense Communications Center Managers Course this fall. Oh and did I tell you I volunteered to teach 2nd grade religion every Thursday!!! SOOOO Allison going to school full time is sort of coming at a good time for me personally... needless to say I have such mixed emotions. I have some pictures that took today of Allison at school, but I haven't downloaded yet. I will post them tomorrow.