Twas the Night Before Kindergarten....

That's right. Tomorrow is the big day for our sweet Kendyll Grace. Kindergarten is finally upon us! She's had two extra weeks of summer, which we have filled to the brim with days full of fun. Everything from trips to the library, pool, park, and mall, to making cookies, riding bikes, having movies and popcorn, a sleepover with Kate, and a grand finale trip to Rainforest Cafe to end our "Kindergartabration". She and Carlie LOVE Rainforest Cafe, but have never been able to have the light-up cups or the volcano dessert. So, we surprised her with both, as we celebrated her big school day coming soon. Here she is after the volcano was presented to her. Notice the light-up cup behind her head. Incredibly cool, but probably not worth five buckaroos. :)
Kendyll and I have had some fun days together, just the two of us. For those who don't know, Kendyll will be attending kindergarten two days a week, and will be with me the other three. I have had SUCH a fun time planning our days together, and we have picked out quite a few things to do for the next few months. I really plan to fill one day with learning, but all "fun and experiential learning". We're going on field trips, doing some simple gardening (our own herb garden--if I don't kill it in true "Chelsea" fashion), cooking, art and crafts, piano lessons, ballet, and many, many library trips. :) As weird as it may sound to some, I am looking very forward to having some one-on-one time with each of my kids this year, and am really hoping to rearrange some of my "previous priorities" to make "just being the mom" the most important thing this year. (more about that in another blog...)

Anyway, in the last week, we have also had two playdates with Kendyll's soon-to-be classmates, and it has been such a great thing for both of us. It's great to meet other families who have the same values we do---and I can't wait to get to know them better as the year goes on. We also got to have a "moms meeting" with our teacher last week, where I was blown away once again by the blessing our school is going to be for our family. Our sweet teacher is amazing and a very strong Christian woman who will not only be teaching Kendyll so many life lessons----but she will also be teaching me! I have already learned so much from her, and can already tell that she will challenge us to truly live up to the task of running a Christian home and instilling Godly character in our children.

We were able to sign up for volunteer activities, which was so fun to me! And, we learned a whole lot about what they will be learning and doing this year in kindergarten. One of my favorite things is the scripture, poetry, and hymns they will memorize. It will definitely be right up Kendyll's alley!

But, even with all the excitement for this year to finally begin, and all the blessings that this school will offer us, there was that twinge of nostalgia that I felt tonight, as I kissed my baby goodnight. Where did this little pigtail-wearing 2 year old girl go? Or, what about this baseball-hat-wearing 3 year old? How the time flies....

We had some family time tonight and read a few verses about having peace, working hard for the Lord, and showing kindness to others as a "back to school" devo. Then, we were about to have prayer time for her. She stopped Mark before he began praying and said "Hey, can I ask you guys a question? Can we talk a little more about what it's like at Providence?" I wasn't sure exactly what she was wanting, but I could tell the nerves were setting in. So, I grabbed my packet and began reading to her about all kinds of things. She soaked in every word. Mark prayed a sweet prayer for his girls, and then it was my turn. Before I prayed, she said again "Hey, can I ask you guys one more question? What if I'm a little bit nervous?" Oh, my sweet Kendyll. You are just like your mommy. We talked about how normal it was to be nervous, and that every other girl and boy will be nervous. We went over exactly how it will go in the morning, and then asked her if there was anything we could pray about for her.

She said "Just pray that I won't be TOO nervous and that I'll have the BESTEST, FUNNEST day in kindergarten that I've ever had!" So, I prayed that, along with a whole bunch of other blessings over our girl. And, off to bed she went.

Now, as I sit here at the computer, I just want to tell her over and over how proud of her I am. How amazing it has been to watch her for five years become already so much of the person that God wants her to be. She has so much compassion for others. She is so giving to her family and her friends. She loves so deeply and feels every emotion so strongly. She truly wants to please her mommy and daddy and her God in everything she does (even though that is not always exactly the way things go on a daily basis!), but even when it doesn't go that way, she is quick to say she's sorry and wants a hug to make sure all is better. She is so smart (and I don't say that in a bragging way)----it's just that God has absolutely blessed her with wonderful talents that I stand amazed at every single day. She is a caretaker for her little sisters and any other toddler that she knows. And, I can't WAIT to see what she becomes as the school years go on, and her knowledge deepens---not only academically, but spiritually and emotionally too.

We love you, Kendyll Grace, and are so incredibly proud of who you are. I pray that you will be blessed in your school year and I look so forward to the days I still get to spend with you this year. We are praying for you tomorrow! Love, your mommy and daddy!