Bella goes to school.

Today was Bella's first day of school. She is going to one of the pilot schools that is running full day, everyday, Junior Kindergarten. Apparently it's a big hit, because there are 33 kids in the JK class. TOO large a class size, so they decided to take 5 children from the JK class and add them to the Senior Kindergarten class (a class of 23 kids) to make a JK/SK split class to even out the numbers. Bella was one of the children chosen (she is one of the oldest as her birthday is in January) and I'm sure she will do just fine with this. The school does a staggered entry of all the kindergarten children so that the teachers can become familiar with the kids in smaller groups, which is why she started school today instead of this past Tuesday. She starts school at 8am and today we were in the schoolyard by 745am. It's an early morning for all of us, which is just fine, because Alex is up by 630am each morning, anyways.

After the school bell rang (and how exciting was THAT for Bella?!!), she was taught to stand in line by the door while touching the wall. As she was doing this, my mouth just about hit the ground as I heard one of the SK children (a boy), say the words: "You're a *aggot!". (I am certain he wasn't talking to anybody in particular, but rather, he just said the words to try to get a reaction, rather loudly, while looking up at the sky. He then proceeded to laugh at himself.) Thankfully, Bella didn't hear what had been said. I'm hoping that I just misheard, and that what he actually said was: "You're a maggot!". Because while that wouldn't have necessarily been funny either, at least it would have been original, and NOT a slurr. Here's to hoping... (We'll see what Bella comes back with this afternoon.)

While some kids were crying and clinging to their mommies, Bella wasn't one of them, thankfully.
(Even I didn't cry!)

As Bella walked into the school she said "See ya later, Mom!" and "Bye Dad!". And off she went. That's my big girl. (Okay, I might cry now...)

Bella poses for her 'always taking a picture' mommy.

Fancy backpack, not too big that it would weigh her down or tip her over. (Have you seen the size of some of those backpacks on kids these days? Or is it that the kids are just wee things?)

Are we done yet? (She's tired already.) Me thinks somebody is going to sleep well tonight!

With her momma.

And there she goes! (Minus the backpack. She gave that to her daddy to carry already. Of course.)

Running into her older/bigger friend, Mel, on the way to school.

Talking with daddy in the schoolyard.

That's my girl, playing in the sand.

Saying goodbye to her baby brother.

The school bell rings!

Touching the wall. (Is this the right way?)

Ohhh! This is the way. Okay, got it.

Are we going in yet? Because the novelty is wearing off.

See ya later Mom! Bye Dad!