Big girl alert! Big girl alert!  Today, August 29, 2011, my first born started Kindergarten.  I can't really describe how I feel about it.  I'm very proud of her, a little sad, concerned about the new germs, excited, relieved, and most of all, confused as hell. How in the world did the last five years go by so quickly?

I still remember my first day of Kindergarten. I remember the smell of art supplies, giant cardboard blocks that looked like bricks, inflatable letter people, the playground and the four other Jennifers that I met that day (yes, I'm serious).  I colored in a school bus and got yelled at for shoving it in my teacher's face instead of placing it on her desk.  Oopsie.

I hope today is a good day for Lydia.  I hope she makes a ton of friends.  I hope she comforts the kids that are sad and/or shy.  I hope she eats her lunch I spent forever packing. I hope she remembers her snack is in the front pocket of her backpack.  I hope she understands that this isn't just for today and doesn't decide she isn't going back.  I hope she comes home with something I can hang on the wall.

Most of all I hope this is the beginning of what proves to be an incredible journey of the mind and spirit.  I hope she discovers what she loves to do and is encouraged to pursue it.  I wish her success and happiness, peace and love.