Kindergarten...Here Biz Comes!!

Last Friday was a big day for Biz!  He got to register for Kindergarten and tour his new school for the first time.  Yay!  Our big boy is ready! 

I am not sure if I am , though, but I didn't cry.  Not once.  I was surprised, because I become mush with the sentimental stuff, especially the sentimental stuff that involves my boys.  However, I think the lack of tears was due to the fact that I didn't actually have time to shed them.  Whew! What a day!  We had to have Biz at school at 8am and then I had to jet over to his preschool for a progress meeting with his teacher, trip to the grocery, then home to pack for our weekend away, pick Biz up from preschool, and head out of town.  All to be done before noon.  So, no time for tears.  But I am sure I will make up for it on his actual first day of school.

Biz has been ready for Kindergarten for the past six months. His preschool teacher confirmed his definite readiness in our meeting.  He talks about it often and was very excited to visit his "Kindergarten school" and also check out the playground situation (which met his approval). His first statement, though, when we got out of the van was, "I can't wait to see what kind of toys they have!"   I had to break the news gently that in Kindergarten, there weren't going to be many, if any toys.

Eric and I were really impressed with his school.  The thing that caught my attention was the fact that he will have art, PE, and music each day through a program called SMART.  The kindergarten classrooms were really cool, too.  Everyone that we met appeared enthusiastic and engaged with the kiddos and that put this Momma bear a bit more at ease.

We had a wonderful tour guide.  She aids with the kindergarten classes and teaches the SMART classes, which is a really neat program at the school.  I pulled the following description off of the FSSD website, because I was unfamiliar with it until registration day:

The SMART program (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training) applies brain stimulation techniques, which are integrated into regular kindergarten curriculum in classroom, floor and playground areas in order to produce high levels of physiological readiness for early academic success in the primary grades. SMART gives a teacher the opportunity to teach more because attention, acquisition, retention and production abilities are increased. These classes are conducted in centers, which involve physical education, music and art teachers.   

Anyway, she (I can't remember that sweet lady's name) made our visit a lot of fun!  Biz got to go on a treasure hunt throughout the school and put a sticker on a paper each time we visited a new area, like the cafeteria, computer lab, library, gymnasium, etc.   He forgot about not seeing any toys.  However, there was a neat Lego table in the kindergarten room, so I guess that counts.

I am really excited for Biz!  But I can't help but be sad, too. His excitement makes it easier to welcome kindergarten, though.  A season is coming to an end, but a new season is also beginning.  He will learn a lot in the upcoming year, and so will we.  Those first born guinea pigs.  It hit me the other night while looking at him that he really is becoming...big.  He is no longer a little boy.  He is more like a medium sized boy.  I am so proud of what a great kid, by God's grace, that he is.  I praise Jesus for his development, wisdom, creativity, and for the fun little guy that he is.  I love being around him.  He talks my ears off, but I am always amazed at how his mind operates.  He is enthusiastic and energetic and I love his heart! 

At the progress meeting with his preschool teacher last Friday, she ended it with the statement that I have heard time and time again, since Biz became mobile (which by the way was when he was five months old), by friends, family, nursery workers, church teachers, all of his MDO and preschool teachers, other moms at the park who have just met us.  Most have said it in love.  Many have said it because they are mothers of boys and understand.  Some have said it because they were trying to encourage me.  Others have said it out of frustration because they had no other words.

"He is all boy!"

Oh, yes, he is!  All boy, created by an awesome God, who has a purpose for ALL of that energy and personality, and heart.

I have already warned Biz that I will probably cry on the first day of Kindergarten.  He just rolls his eyes and says, "I know you will, Mom." 

I love that kid!