We made it through PK2.
Autumn got her first taste of "school". She had a fabulous teacher, Ms. Cheryl (who now takes care of Nate). She made her first set of "school friends" and some of those were even promoted to "best friend". She gained loads of confidence and became quite the independent little girl.
We conquered PK3.
Autumn bonded with her teacher, Ms. Ashley. She mastered all of her letters and numbers, coloring inside the lines, and learned how to write her name. Although, she will tell you her greatest achievement was figuring out how to "pump" her legs on the swings so she can push herself higher and higher into the air, unassisted. That's a big deal on the playground.
This week Autumn entered into the world of VPK. The last step before kindergarten.
As I went to take her annual "first day" picture I caught myself staring into the camera a few seconds longer then usual. She's grown so much both inside and out. She is beautiful (I know I am a bit biased), confident, smart, funny - but my favorite trait - she is kind. She has a huge heart.
As I watch her navigate this final year before she goes off to "the big kid school" I am reminding myself to savor every moment. To be present. To be aware that these moments are so fleeting and so, so precious. Every story of finding buried treasure on the playground, every painted handprint that comes home, every hug at the end of the day and "Oh, I missed you!"
I am taking it all in and tucking it all away in my heart.
I am also reminding myself that as scary as it can be to let her out into the world bit by bit, she'll be ready.
I'll never be ready - but she will be.
