And so it begins...

Ah, Kindergarten.  While Gwen's been an old hat at preschool, something about Kindergarten feels different and exciting!  She's about to embark on her elementary school adventure and meet friends that will be such a huge part of her childhood - and friends that she'll have for a lifetime.  Tear.

Gwen is in Miss Alessio's class in Room 5. Somehow all her BFFs (Dani, Leyni and Sloan) and Nurtury friends (Brooke, Marcella, Brayden, Cameron and Natalie) ALL ended up in different classrooms - what were the odds of that???  Seriously - if I were good at statistics I would figure it out b/c I'm sure it's mind staggering.  She should go no pass on a lottery ticket today.  But, we did discover a few familiar faces today - including Annie from dance class, Cooper and Courtney from the pool and a couple of little girls - Mia and Finley, that Gwen met during the summer Rheem playgroups.

Here's Gwen about to head off to her first day of Kindergarten!

After arriving at Rheem, I got a lesson in drop-off protocol.  Kids learn to walk by themselves to the playgroup, put their backpacks in a line by classroom, get in line when called and be escorted off to their classroom.  It seemed so complicated!

Seeing Dani before the bell

Gwen in a sea of Kindergartners

Gwen standing in her line - she's about a head taller than most of her
classmates!  There's her teacher on the left.

Happily waving goodbye as they are led into the
classroom.   She was super brave - no tears or clingyness!

At pickup, being led to the car by her teacher.

While Gwen was at school, we headed over the Mahers' for a little moms gathering, and Whitney got to play with her favorite little friend Isabelle.  It won't be long until these little cutie pies are off to Rheem themselves.  Can we please slow down time?