First Day of First Grade

Today was Marina's first day of school. I can't believe she's in first grade! This time was less traumatic than last year. This is the second year at her elementary school and I've met her teacher several times. Marina seemed quite excited. The kids lined up shortly after we arrived. She happily talked to one of her friends from kindergarten while they waited for everyone to gather. Every once in a while she waved to me. At one point she called out, "I love you, Mommy." Won't that melt a mother's heart?

When I picked her up after school, she was in a great mood. She didn't have a whole lot to say about her day. Apparently her teacher gave her Skittles for good behavior. Good to hear. I asked if she had some of her kindergarten friends in her class. "And new friends too!" she responded enthusiastically. So looks like we're off to a good start this year.

The Last Day

Today was Marina's last day of school. Didn't I just take her for the first day? I can't believe she has completed Kindergarten! Marina enjoyed this year. She made lots of friends. Every morning she would say "Good morning" to every classmate she saw as we walked in, even if they weren't in hearing distance yet!

But what made this year special was the three wonderful teachers she had for her morning Kindergarten class and Enrichment in the afternoon. We owe them a huge "Thank you" for all they did for her this year!

Kindergarten Family Celebration

To mark the end of the year, the kindergarten staff had a "Kindergarten Family Celebration." It started with the kids performing. They did many of the same songs they had done at their big show in April. But here are a few new ones.

Hello



Down By the Bay



(My camera had an error while filming the next one, "Everything Grows," so I only have the last 30 seconds or so. But since it was a new song, I went ahead and added what I got.)

Everything Grows



The music was followed by a video presentation of pictures the kids had taken of each other during the year. Many of them were very silly. We also got to see pictures of each student as a baby and now. That was fun!

Field Day

Today was Field Day at Marina's school. There were quite a few fun activities set up for th kids. They started off with a relay race and obstacle course, followed by the Frisbee toss and tug-o-war. They used a four way rope, I'd never seen one like that before. But Marina was happy to be on the winning team.

The parent involvement started after the potato sack race. The kids were supposed to run the three-legged race with their parent. However, one of her friends whose parents were not there convinced Marina to race with her. I didn't take it personally.


The water balloon toss was set up for adults and kids. Marina's friend partnered with a middle school volunteer. I was impressed with the catches Marina made. We made it pretty far into the competition.

The activities concluded with popsicles for the kids. I think that was Marina's favorite part.

The Kindergarten Show

The Kindergarten at Marina's school had their program tonight. Marina has been so excited about it. She's been asking for for over a week if I would come to her show. A few days ago, her question became, "Will you clap at my show?" Of course I did!

Marina knew the songs well and seemed to have fun on stage. At the beginning she looked for me and waved when she found me.

For those of you who couldn't make it, here's what you missed. Marina is in the second row off to the right side. She is wearing a long sleeved light blue shirt and a "pilot" hat.

Magical, Magical Me



You're Not Everybody



I Feel Tall Inside



When I Grow Up



I Like Being Little A Lot



One Light, One Sun



The Kindergarten Wall

Happy Birthday Princess!

Marina turned six today. I took cupcakes to her school this morning. She and I put one cupcake at each place. How happy were her classmates to come in from recess to see cupcakes on the tables. Marina loved it when the class sang "Happy Birthday" to her. The she happily ate her pink cupcake at a table with her friends Hannah and Bailey.

This evening, she got to pick what we had for dinner. She chose McDonalds. Our friends Chuck and Judy joined us. Then we all came back to our home for cake and presents. I made her a Tinkerbell chocolate cake. Marina was so excited by the presents that she hardly touched her cake. She had a good day today. This kicks off her birthday week. The celebrating will last until Sunday.

Monjer

A few days ago, Marina said, "Monjer," to me. She seemed very proud of herself.

"I don't know what that is," I replied.

"It's French," she said smiling.

Then the light bulb went off. "Bonjour?" I asked her.

"No, monjer. I learned in singing class."

"Do you mean 'hello' in French?"

"Yes, monjer!"

No matter how hard I tried, she would not accept that the correct pronunciation was not "monjer."

But I shouldn't complain. She has learned something!

The First Day

Marina has had quite a few firsts and lasts lately.

On Friday, she had her last day at her preschool. I think I was sadder than she was. Both of us have loved that school. She had lots of friends and was loved by her teachers. One of them always called her "Princess Marina." She was the first to do that and now whenever anyone call Marina that, I think of that teacher.

Another teacher called her "Sunshine."

She seemed to be the favorite of many teachers. That got her out of outside time when she didn't want to go. And I'm sure she was the "Line Leader" more often than most.

Now she's done there ...

Monday, she had her first day at her "new school." She's been saying she wants to go there for a month. For those first two days, she had kindergarten enrichment and the after school club.

It's been a little nerve-wracking for me. At her preschool I knew all of her teachers and felt very comfortable with them. Now I'm turning her over to a group of strangers.

But when I picked Marina up she seemed happy. In fact, she asked to "play a little longer."

Today, was her first day of kindergarten classes. By now, she is a pro. She lined up with the other kids in her class and went inside the school. She didn't even look back at me.

I guess my baby is growing up. Sniff, sniff.