Kindergarten round up!!

Our day started sorta regular.  We started on our way to Donna's.  But, there were a few exceptions.  One is that Ellie didn't FIGHT me about what she was going to wear to school that day.

Because by "school", I meant SCHOOOOL!!!  It was kindergarten round up day!!  We'd been talking about this day for weeks.

This was last Friday.  I also wondered how Gabs would take it, you know, being dropped off at Miss Donnas, with sissy going on with mom and dad.  Oh, that was different too!!  Mom AND Dad were heading to school with Ellie.

Because you better believe Daddy-O wasn't going to miss this day for anything! 

And Ellie absolutely LOVED having both of her parents with us and her having full attention of us on that day special day.

Even several days later, this is the picture that kinda makes me wanna cry!  So special!

Do you think I may have looked like the stalker mom in the parking lot!?  Understand, we weren't even in the building yet!!  ha.

Daddy opened the door for her and we were off to find the others.  And find them we did.

It didnt' take this social butterfly long to find her crew.  She knows Isabella (in the green maxi dress) from dancing.  The other two were friends she met that day.  Avery is the little blond on the end.  I KNOW she and Ellie Sue will end up  being good buds.  I mean, she had FEATHERS in her hair!! 

It was sweet that the school's concession stand handed out popsicles to the newbies.

This is actually as the crowd was clearing out, but I thought I'd share Ellie's new gym with you all.

Ellie was feeling her place at this school.  I think she felt she was home!!

And mama was plenty proud!  I took her around to the classrooms, with Dad around for the majority of the tour.  I think he got bored. 

There are four kindergarten classrooms.  And for the most part, they are all very similar.  They have a book area.  And "centers" with pretend kitchens, climbing areas, and THIS....

ART SUPPLIES!!!  I could hear the heavens ope,n and I got all tingly.

She recognized stamps, colored pencils, markers, crayons, glue, and all things that are good.

There was this one point at which Ellie Sue was drawing a very elaborate family of four, all complete with different outfits, tiaras, a pouf in one of their hair-dos, and then she started adding everyone's words.  Ellie, Gabbi, Todd, Mom, Isabella, Groves,.... just word after word after word.  The mama next to me, asked, "How OLD is she?"  I said, "She's four".  And as she continued to write (very well might I add), "WHen will she be five?".  "In July", I replied.  I could tell the lady was a little concerned, so I went on to explain that Ellie has been around art supplies her whole life, and draws and paints just about daily!  I was kind of feeling sorry for her.  Especially when I asked her son, "Hey, I love all those colors you are using.  What are YOU drawing?"  He said, "A ROCK". 

I'm really saying all of that in jest.  She and I bonded later, when we realized she was over 40 too, and realized we'd be a couple of the older parents in kindergarten. 
And I am fully aware that girls draw families with elaborate outfits, and boys draw, well, rocks!

This is the beginning of the drawing.

And then she added most of her numbers.  She just LOVED showing off the things she's learned from Miss Donna's. 

And so... there it is.

And there SHE is... my kindergartener!!

The last fun of the day was the playground.  Ellie loved that too, especially when the first graders came out to play.  7 year olds... oh YEAH!! 

Can you believe my baby is going to school this fall?!!?

MO