This year, we will continue with the tradition we started in kindergarten...a quick photo before they run out the door. It's funny to notice how the expressions change from year to year. As the years progress, it goes from excitement and anticipation to more eye rolls and embarrassment. They both say, "Just take the picture, already!"

My kids have always been good sports about heading off to the new year. I find it much harder. As a typical mom, I always tear up as I drop them off and say goodbye. Although it's wonderful to see my boys grow up, it's reminder of how big they are getting. So quickly!

I still remember my first day of kindergarten! It was in the 1960s. It was only a half day kindergarten, and the first time I had ever been away from my mom for any kind of nursery school, daycare, etc. So it was a memorable event in my life! I met one of my oldest and dearest friends that day. The teacher said everyone needed a partner, so a sweet, silent, round-faced girl came up to me with a beeming smile and took my hand. I didn't know any of the children, so to have this stranger save me from being alone was golden. From that moment on, we were inseparable. It was a special year for me. Maybe your child will meet a life long friend from the first day. I did. My childhood friend today? We have lived in different states most of our adult lives, but have shared important moments with one another, like when our own kids began school, and when they left for college.

Daniel's first day of kindergarten was last July at Partnership Elementary. He wore khaki shorts and a pale blue polo shirt with a parrakeet embroidered on it. Partnership ran a 2-day kindergarten camp a few weeks before the school start which gave the kids some idea of what they would encounter that first day: lunch lines, sitting at tables, figuring out where to place their backpack and snacks, etc. I learned that Daniel needed to get out of his "baby" seat and be put into a booster seat since he needed to snap himself out at the carpool line. I think the hardest part of kindergarten was a tossup between the weekly homework (he struggled with writing the first semester) and locking himself into this seat when I picked him up. It wasn't until January 2008 that he got himself buckled into his booster seat by himself -- whew! Kindergarten was a lot of work, but it prepared him for the rigors of first grade and already his teacher told me last week he's a role model and makes good choices!

Alice Osborn, MA
www.aliceosborn.com

My son was lucky to have one of the best teachers in the Triangle area for kindergarten: Mrs. Beth Gray at St. Luke's Episcopal kindergarten in Durham. Recently retired, Ms. Gray taught kindergarten here for well over fifty years and was loved by parents and students alike. Her retirement party attracted the entire community. It is astounding the difference a creative, fun, loving, stimulating kindergarten class can make to a child. I learned as much from her as my son did!