Our Kindergartner

On Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, our Whitley had her first day of Kindergarten as a Cougar.  (This was after a fun two weeks with CC and Day Day when Tom and I had to go back to work.)  We were so excited for her to start school, and since I couldn't wait to hear about her day, I actually left work early the first two days to go pick her up from the car rider line.  This was actually her only disappointment of the day, since she immediately told me how much she wanted to ride the bus.  (She has had her wish ever since- she rides a little bus to her after-school camp every afternoon.)  From that first day, Whitley has simply LOVED Kindergarten.  She is so cute about it, too.  She takes the rewards very seriously, and prattled on the other day about how her class only earned the "paw" that day, and if they didn't win a "shout-out" soon, they would never get the "championship belt!"  She insists, too, that she is a very good girl and always follows the rules.  To quote her, "I just want to make my teachers happy."  When we asked her how she could do that, she chirped, "By making good choices!"  I asked her if she ever got her name on the board, and she gave me this look, like, "What is the matter with you?"  She explained, "Noooo, Mom.  I'm great at school."  Ha!  I hope so!  She definitely knows the rules.  Tom and I like to hear her go through the routines.  She will proudly show off the proper responses for "Cougar Eyes," "Cougar Ears," "Extra," and "Peace and quiet."  Tonight she recalled something I'd told her earlier, and I complimented her on listening well.  She replied, "I know!  I have Cougar ears!"  Whitley likes all of her specials, but gets the most excited about P.E.  She says her favorite part of each day, though, is literacy centers!  Tom and I are so proud!! :)

Pretty in pink for the first day.

All smiles, no jitters.  

This was her favorite outfit of the summer, and she was so excited to wear it!

Tom read her The Night Before Kindergarten the Monday before she started.  CC bought the book as a little treat.  

Completing some homework!  Whitley gets optional math practice sheets most nights and a "Book in a Bag" assignment once a week.  She loves working on it, so far, and hasn't skipped one, yet!  I am honestly so impressed with what she's already learned.  The way she tries to sound out words and use some emergent spelling is so wonderful.
Yay, Kindergarten!