What a wonderful class, we had no separation anxiety or crying. Oh how I love a start without crying :-).

Phew, your children will be tired tonight. They learned a LOT of new things today. We spent a lot of time practicing walking in a line (not in a bunch) quietly (not yelling to friends and siblings). We learned the routine for the cafeteria (and its complex garbage throwing system). We learned how to pick the developmental centers in the morning and that cleaning up is just as important as playing. We learned how to take attendance and empty the backpack. We learned where the art room is located and met Mrs. Malay. We played on the playground together and rested. We learned about Kelly Bear and that we have to follow classroom rules to make school a nice place to be.

After art, I shared the story of The Gingerbread Man (he had many fans in the class already). That little cookie left us a note and sent us on a scavenger hunt around the school! Along the way we found the nurse's office and met Mrs. Vanderlyke (the school nurse). We located the girls' and boys' hallway bathrooms. We went to the main office and met Mrs. vonWiegen and Mrs. McDonald, the school secretaries. We said hello to Mr. Austin, the principal. We couldn't catch the gingerbread man but he did leave us some sugar cookies in his place. We shared these at snack. Everyone got home ok even though it was a little scary finding the right bus line for the first time. But these big Kindergartners did just fine.

Tomorrow they will come in like old pros that know the ropes.

What a difference a day makes.