We have a Kindergartener!

We did it! The day I’ve been dreading for so long, been working through in therapy (before I found out I had cancer), has finally come and we conquered it like no one’s business! Javi, Antonio, and I all did an amazing job! Shockingly, there were no tears from any of us. (I think I cried enough that one weekend when my surgery was supposed to be today!)

In all honesty, Javi attending PreK 4 last year in a “big school” was more like our typical first day of Kindergarten emotions. This year, we were ready for it! And when I say ready for it, I mean, we did a lot of prep work to be ready for it. Therapy, trips and tours to the school, a ton of conversations, getting into routines, reviewing drop-off expectations (one big squeeze hug and a kiss and then we go), mom and dad emotionally preparing for the Pull and Peel method (thank goodness it was not needed), and finding our patience while trying to beat the bell. We also made sure Javi had more than enough time to familiarize himself with this new school and classroom on Meet the Teacher. We are so grateful and relieved that he got placed with an amazing teacher!!! Her gentle, welcoming, confident, loving demeanor played a key factor in our success today! Thank you to all the dedicated teachers out there! You do make a difference and your kindness is seen.

Funny story. Due to our unexpected summer plans of cancer, we totally forgot to sign Javi up for extended care. So he is currently enjoying his “early” pick ups from school and reminding us “how we forgot to sign him up for EDP.”

Meanwhile, my elementary teacher part is coming out and feeling the anxiety of elementary dismissal! I hated dismissal when I was an elementary teacher, always afraid I was going to loose a child or send them home the wrong way.

So here are pictures from his bonus after school pick up!