New Beginnings: Kindergarten

It is a season of new beginnings for the Kerry's and this weeks' milestones belong to Ryan! Tuesday he became "a school aged kid" as he's used to saying when categorizing the world. Below is a smattering of images from the day. He did great. Really, really great. 

We're looking forward to a weekend to decompress from the change....that is...once we win the game tonight against Jenison.

Thanks for sharing in our journey,

Courtney, Max, Ryan + Elise

I've learned that the one thing downsides of being married to a teacher (besides not getting a snow day when they get one) is that during the start of school they miss out on many of the "first moments." We at least got one of Max and Ryan together before Max started his day.

Thanks to Heather across the street, I got to be in a picture with my boy too!

 Take 1.  And then take 2 with the sign the correct way :)

 Ryan calmed his "butterflies in my tummy" with a little bit of "The Bus Game." 

 We commemorated his start with a sign I made that's all about him.

 Elise wanted in on the action and before I knew it, showed up on the porch with her backpack on.

Kindergarten was exciting, but the anticipation of riding the bus was about all the motivation Ryan needed to head to school!

 Thankfully a mom down the street was late to the bus, so I took the opportunity to capture this shot. I was then able to beat the bus to school to walk Ryan into his classroom for his first day. I promise, this is where the hovering stops :) I haven't even followed the bus all week after drop-off!

 Ryan and his "a-little-less-of-a-best-friend-than-Chase-but-still-my-best-friend" Noah share a locker.

 The classroom, eager for little bodies to fill it up and learn! Mrs. Koch (pronounced Cook) has made Ryan feel so welcomed already. We're grateful we were able to request her! She commented this week to me via an email that "he's a friend to everyone." My heart swelled that she's already seeing Ryan for who he is, even though I know he's most likely not acting himself just yet until he relaxes into the new routine.

 Arriving at school.

 Excited to see his fellow kindergartner and neighbor—Rylan K.—when we first arrived. They are in different classes but see each other at lunch recess...and thank goodness. Can you imagine the constant mistakes with the names!

Excited to learn and sit so close to the circle rug!

 Saying goodbye wasn't hard for just Mommy on Tuesday. Elise rebounded quickly but was trying to make sense of it all. We headed to the doctor right after this to learn she has had rectal strep for three weeks. What a week!