First Grade, First Grade!

To this day, the song from Emily's kindergarten graduation remains stuck in my head: "I want to be a part of it ... First Grade! First Grade!" The catchy take on Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" received a much lesser treatment this morning as I provided the dad version for Graham at the kitchen table. Thankfully, my rendition didn't dampen his obvious enthusiasm for the first day of school.

School days, and their 7:15 a.m. start time, provide for plenty of early morning chaos throughout the year. That chaos was absent this morning as Graham was in full cooperation mode from the jump. Aubrey slept until the last possible moment but allowed me to carry her downstairs and then, after a quick round of family photos, out to the car. (You'll note that she's still sporting PJs in the photos below.)

We arrived at Madison Creek Elementary on time despite a considerable back-up on the road leading to the school. Backpack and lunch in tow, Graham leapt out the back passenger side door of the minivan and announced to all within ear shot, "First day of kindergarten!" It appears my song was not particularly memorable for him.

Momentary confusion aside, Graham enjoyed a fun first day in Mrs. Barnette's first-grade class. His enthusiasm level was the same after school as it had been beforehand. Erica and I took our not-as-little man to Baskin Robbins for TWO scoops of cookie dough and then over to Game Stop for a fun first day gift. He now has his own copy of the Wipeout video game that he enjoyed playing with his cousins on the Wii this summer. 

So it's official, Graham is now part of it. First grade, first grade.