It's Coming...

The noisy boys are headed to Kindergarten this fall. I have to say, this has been the longest, shortest five years of my life. When I was navigating their heavy double stroller through Walmart to buy diapers, I thought this day would never come. I fantasized about it, though. Little did I know what I was in for.

Kindergarten Roundup was this morning. All of the neighborhood children going into Kindergarten this fall met at the elementary school for a special meeting. We brought birth certificates and immunization forms and proof that we live where we say we do. We sat in the Learning Resource Room (a.k.a. library) and discussed what it means to be the Parent of a Kindergartener. And I have to be honest, I’m afraid.

Oh, the kids will do great. They marched right into the Kindergarten room with the other neighborhood children, excited to check out their new space. They know their letters, can write their names, and know how to take turns. It’s me I’m worried about. The “Parent Notebook” is huge, and full of “vital information to make the year a Success.” It includes two pages of volunteer “opportunities,” lists of required supplies, and about a million “must-not-forget” dates for our calendar. I actually got teary eyed during the Traffic Safety talk—not because my babies are going to Kindergarten, but because I am seriously afraid I will not be able to figure out the carpool line. (“Go West on Wendell, but if you can’t pull in, circle around again so you don’t clog up the line. Oh, and you can only park on the East side of Canary street because there are 80 school employees and only 55 parking spaces.”) Thank goodness we’re only three blocks away and can walk most of the year.

One downside to living in an “older” neighborhood is that the Kindergarten classes are shrinking. People are moving in and not moving out, which is a good thing. Our houses may need work, but we all love our neighborhood too much to move. That means fewer young families are moving in, which translates to fewer Kindergarten classes. Five years ago, they offered two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions. Last year, one morning, two afternoon. Next year, it looks like only one morning and one afternoon. So, after several years of long, agonizing conversations with my “twin mom” friends, it looks like the noisy boys will be in the same class regardless of my desire to have them separated. I’m sure they’ll do fine together, they’ve proven that with two years of preschool. I’m just nervous about the big split in first grade. After six years of spending almost every waking moment together, with the occasional separate activity, suddenly they’ll be apart all day long.

But with this thick Parent Notebook to read, I suppose I have enough to worry about without adding that to the list. On the plus side, it looks like an awesome school, and with one of the best school districts in the country, I’m excited to see the noisy boys fly! (And secretly hoping at least one of them wants to join the school newspaper. I always wanted to do that, but never did. Even if they don’t join, maybe they’ll let me volunteer. ☺ )