Today I had to go to my Kindergartner screening at my new school. I was real nervous to the point I couldn’t think straight. Mommy and daddy kept telling me there was no wrong answer, but I just can’t wrap my mind around that – if it’s not the right answer, then it is wrong as far as I am concerned. Anyway, I used the “shield” daddy and mommy bought me to help take away some of my nervousness – kept it in my pocket. It worked because when I walked away with my teacher and left my parents in the cafeteria, I remained calm and answered all the questions my teacher asked me – and I answered them correctly!
I was real proud of myself for being brave. Mommy and daddy were too so they bought me a school shirt to show my pride. Now, all that remains is for me to find out who my teacher will be – hope it is the one I had today because she was sweet to me – that is all that really matters.
Tonight was THE night – I graduated from Private Kindergarten. I have the option to go into first grade next year, but my mommy and daddy are putting me into the public school system as a kindergartner since my birthday is so late (Aug 11 – put it on your calendars). They thought it might be beneficial for my development and so does this 60 Minutes segment on “Redshirting Kindergarteners” (very interesting for other parents of late birthday kids). They wanted me in some formal program for this past year so that is how I ended up in the Private K class.
Anyway, back to the subject of ME…..GRADUATING!! Mommy, daddy, and grannie kept saying they were so proud of me and that made me feel proud of myself. It was like I wasn’t even me. I was totally nervous, but I put on my brave face and took pictures with everyone and smiled and even said our poem – I didn’t scream the words like some of my other friends, but I was saying it loud and proud. I could say a lot, but these pics say so much and the video isn’t too bad either except for the brief period where daddy let the camera focus on the table. BTW I think mommy and daddy are happy/sad about me graduating and growing up.
Oh, before I forget, thank you to Mrs. Dutler – she was so sweet and kind to me and made my parents feel confident she would teach me well and wouldn’t put any unnecessary anxiety on me in school. Thank you Ms. Layla because she was just so sweet to me at all times. She always use to say I was her favorite and that always gets you places with me and my family. And a last shout out to all my hommies in Private K – Greyson (see you this summer at the pool), Brock, Joshua V, Joshua S, and Jaxon. You were my main posse for the past 3 years. Wish there could be more, but time to move on – like a rolling stone, baby.
Today is the first day of the rest of my life and this day will take place in Private Kindergarten – similar to Kindergarten, but for young ones like me and my friends whose parents aren’t ready to let them go.
Anyway, Private K is different from what I’ve been doing because it is going to be a lot more learning and work. I’m excited to get started – I woke up early with a smile on my face and was rushing mommy to get us there in time. Once we got there, I showed mommy my new room. There are a lot of books, computers, a stage for puppet shows, a fish, and a turtle (tortuga in Español). I also have like 5 of my close homies with me and some new ones for me to train – hopefully my other homies will help the newbies learn how I like things to run.
We still get to take a nap for an hour if we want to. Daddy keeps telling me that he wishes he had to take a nap every day. I think that’s kind of silly, but mommy wishes she could too so it must be tiring being an adult, because it couldn’t be tiring being my mommy and daddy, right?
Anyway, with all the new and exciting stuff, there is one major life change I am making – I am not bringing Mama Lion to school with me anymore. Now understand, ML has been by my side since I was a kid. I mean she was one of the first things I remember. She has slept with me every day of my life; gone every place I have gone even if she just stayed in the car. We’ve sailed the seas, flown the friendly skies, gone on road trips,and traveled internationally together – and I’m not just talking about Georgia. Now, she will stay home by herself while I grow up. She will have to trust that I will be safe because she no longer can watch over me and protect me from anyone or anything. She must have faith that others will treat me well and include me in their games. She will have to rely on someone else to care for me during the day and hear from them if my tummy hurts. She’ll have to believe that she will be the first one I hug when I get home. And she will have to find comfort in the fact that she will be the first one I say good morning to and the last one I say goodnight to, both with a hug and a kiss.
As much as she will miss me, I will miss her. She has been my security blanket forever, but I am growing up. That doesn’t mean I will forget though. The video below is a little look back on our time together.
(Side note: I also have a Daddy Lion, but he isn’t nearly as important to me as Mama Lion and I can tell them apart in a second.)
Parksway's Blog 