David's 1st Day of Kindergarden

David's 1st Day of Kindergarden.  There he is - so proud.  He has his backpack, his Star Wars lunch box, and he is standing so tall - with a big smile.

(He is going to the same school that his sister Sarah went to many years ago.)

He picked out his outfit and dressed himself.  He even laid out his clothes on the floor the night before so that he would be ready to change into them, get ready for breakfast, and then be prepared to go off to school.

He laid his shirt on the floor first.  Under it went the underwear. Then under that you found the shorts.  No - it is not done.  He put his socks below his shorts - one sock under one trouser leg and another under the other one.  He is very serious about this sort of thing and it was very important that Bitsy (our dog) not step on his clean clothes (especially today).

We all got up a little earlier today.  It was 6:00 am - that is a big change from Google time trust me.  I heard the alarm, washed my face, said "good morning" to Summer.  Then I walked over to David's room to get him up.  He was moving a little and all I said was:  "is its time to get ready to go to kindergarden" and he got ready.  (This is not normal - usually getting up is a bit of a struggle.)

I left the room long enough to let Bitsy out and when I came back I found him rubbing his eyes but dressed and ready to go - talking a mile a minute (of course talking a mile a minute is nothing new for him - I always wonder where he got that from - stop laughing).

I said "what do you want for breakfast" and he replied waffles.  (Now keep in mind this is often a bit of a battle in the morning as he details what he does not want in the morning, like oatmeal or eggs or... well you name it these days.  But this morning waffles without hesitation.  So David and dad made breakfast - our normal routine (except a lot earlier).

As we started to enter the kitchen David said:  "Dad, you make breakfast while I watch TV."  My very impressive and effective response (yes I am proud of these tactical maneuvers when they are successful):  "I need help, who is going to stir the batter."  I know he loves to cook and then the process began - the routine was re-estabished.  He mixes.  I get the waffle iron ready and he sprays and we pour together.

Then with great anticipation we both watch to see how much of the waffle batter spills over into the spill cup on the other side of the waffle machine. That lets us know if we have enough to make yet another waffle after the first one is finished.  It is a thrilling moment to watch the batter spill over.  He loves to let me know how I must have put too much in for that to happen. Ok, enough with all that excitement - you think I am kidding watch for yourself - the mix master at work.

It is 7:00 am.  It is time to go. Summer drove. We made it in plenty of time (hey I didn't say she was speeding - it is one of the benefits of the commuter lane).  He gave us both a big hug and waved good-bye.  He was jumping up and down ready to have a great time.  

Summer dropped me off at the train station and went to work at Google. (By way of explanation, we took one car so we could see him off together on his first day of kindergarden - with one car we could all use that wonderful commuter lane I mentioned).  I boarded the train, called my mom to see how she was doing, and before I knew it I was at the San Jose train station.  I grabbed a cab and I read a chapter of the new book I am writing while in transit and I suddenly I was back home ready to record the moment for the little man (and the rest of us).  What a day to remember (and that is why it is in this blog)!