Tyson's First Day

This week marked Tyson's entrance into Kindergarten.

He is no longer my preschooler.

He is a big kid!

I am sure I was more nervous than he was. What if I forgot something? What if I didn't get him there on time? What if we were too early? What if I forgot to take pictures?

I felt an enormous amount of pressure.

It's moments like this that define you as a mother, or so I felt.

While Tyson and Preston were watching PBS Kids I was stressing over my to-do list:

Review teacher forms

Finalize book orders

Add Kleenex and paper towels to his backpack

Make sure his first-day homework assignments were in his bag

Feed him lunch

Take sufficient pictures

Be happy and positive

Don't cry

Everything went off without a hitch, until Preston started throwing a temper tantrum. He was jealous of Tyson. He grabbed Tyson's backpack, put it on and headed for the front door.

After a little convincing I was able to trade Preston this backpack for a smaller one with a frog on it, which he wore for the remainder of the morning and part of the afternoon.
(He only let me take it off him for a diaper change.)

After lunch I made Tyson pose for the obligatory front-porch pictures.

He was more than happy to show off the prized backpack.

Then we loaded up the stroller and walked the block or two toward the elementary school. When we were nearly on school property Tyson said,

"I know my way from here mom. You can go home now."

"I don't think so, buddy."

"Why not?"

"Um. . .because I need to take your picture at the school."

As we approached the kindergarten area I saw the school mascot welcoming kids and posing for pictures.

Once Tyson made it past this furry guy he nearly bolted for his classroom door. I had to yell to him through the crowd,

"Tyson, wait!"

"Have a great day."

And he was gone.

I did my best to hold back the tears, but my best wasn't good enough.

I still tear up thinking about it.

One day down, 179 days to go.