Three Down, Two to Go

Passing of the Torch

So we all got up early this morning, had a big breakfast and piled into the minivan to take Jameson to school for his first day of first grade -- his first day of being in school for the whole day. It's a big day in a young man's life. The household excitement (which led to a "first day of school" dance in our bedroom at the crack of dawn) is amplified by the fact that Truman and Amelia are also joining Jameson for the first time as they join the pre-kindergarten program at the same school. Even Darwin is excited as he finally gets to "pick all the shows" while his older siblings are out of the house. And Eliana is excited, too, but that's just because that's how she rolls.

Julie did the honors of taking Jameson into school and escorting him to his classroom (with nary a tear shed). He was the first student in his room and Julie said he sat quietly at his new desk while he examined the room and sized up his new teacher. (For the record, Julie has already stated that the combination of a young and cute teacher and Jameson's romantic heart will guarantee a crush this year.)  Sitting quietly at a desk is not Jameson's usual modus operandi -- this is a side of him that only surfaces under certain circumstances like the first day of school in a new classroom with a new teacher. It's not really a nervous or anxious response -- his confidence is still there, but you can tell he's doing a full mental assessment of the environment and the situation. Unfortunately for his new teacher, the quiet and reserved Jameson will be short lived. I'd love to have a webcam broadcasting from his classroom so I could watch the transformation unfold.

Truman and Amelia don't start school until after lunch, so we headed home to start our new daily routine sans Jameson. The significance of today's milestone was not lost on Truman. He ran into the house, calling over his shoulder, "C'mon, Darwin! I'm going to teach you to play video games!"

Not Facebook Official, Yet

Weeks of kindergarten complete: 1
Love letters received: 1

By the way, it's kinda hard to keep your love life private when you have to ask the rest of your class, "Can anyone read this?!"

To Jameson

Dear Jameson,

Your mom and I met with your preschool teacher this evening to discuss your school year thus far.  She said if she had to use one word to describe having you in her class, it would be "delightful."  We were not at all surprised to hear this.  You are a very considerate and smart young man.  Your teacher also went on to say that you sometimes talk a little more than you should but you always raise your hand before speaking.  This is understandable.  We know you have many, many ideas running through your head and there are only so many hours in the day to give voice to those ideas.  She also mentioned that you are very good at following instructions.  Sometimes too good.  She said you tend to run out of time on your projects as you are so intent on doing things just right.  I'm sorry to say that this will probably never change as your father has suffered with this same challenge his entire life.  You can't rush perfection.  Finally, your teacher said that she loved having you in her class and she is always amazed how you sound like a "little gentleman" with what you say and how you say it.

Tonight was not the first time we've been told how delightful you are.  In fact, everyone we meet at your school has something truly nice to say about you.  Mom and I are very, very proud of the "little gentleman" you are becoming.

Love,

Mom and Dad

PS - Your teacher is well aware that corn is actually a grain, but for the sake of getting through your class discussion she was simply calling it a vegetable because that is how most people refer to it.

A Hard Day's Night

Jameson is yearning for the start of school. He already talks about how much he's going to love it. His tongue can barely keep up with his brain as he tries to explain all the wonderful knowledge he's going to acquire. Already I can tell that the kindergarten teacher he has envisioned is no less brilliant than Stephen Hawking, more magnificent than Albus Dumbledore and as altruistic as Mother Teresa. Jameson can get fired up about many things, but nothing compares to his enthusiasm for school. God help his teachers.

But, alas, he's not even four years old yet. So in the meantime, he makes do with books, cards and posters typical of the average kindergarten classroom.

Today, he fell asleep while making his way through a workbook in search of an erudite grasp of his ABCs and 123s. I imagine I'll find him similarly positioned in his teenage years, cobbling together a European Vacation project the night before it's due in his civics class.