Markers, Crayons, and Vital Records

I think that it really hit Chad and me this week that our 5 years with Aly have flown by. You see, after moving, we carefully stored all of our 'important documents' somewhere...we just couldn't remember where. When we finally found the stash, we realized in horror that we do not have a birth certificate for Aly. And you need a birth certificate to start Kindergarten. How could we not have it? What kind of parents are we that we don't have a birth certificate for our child? And then I remembered a foggy conversation with the nurse in the Williamsburg hospital 5 and a half years ago when she said, "Oh, you won't need a birth certificate anytime soon. You'll just have to get one before she starts school." I remember laughing as I looked down at my bundle of newborn heaven thinking, "School? Kindergarten is forever away."

And today, it is here. Oddly enough (except for the whole birth certificate debaucle), the day came as it should. Clothes were ironed and ready, pictures taken, everyone loaded up, and we were on our way. She is so ready for this and amazingly, so are we! Leaving her in the cafeteria, sitting next to her forever best friend, Lizzy, Chad and I got a little teared up. But how blessed we are that she is in the perfect place at the perfect time for her.

And now, onto applying for Caroline's birth certificate...

First Day of Kindergarten, 2011

"We're Going To Be Friends"
by Jack Johnson
Fall is here, hear the yell
Back to school, ring the bell
Brand new shoes, walking blues
Climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we are going to be friends
Yes I can tell that we are going to be friends
Walk with me Suzy Lee
Through the park and by the tree
We can rest upon the ground
And look at all the bugs we've found
Safely walk to school without a sound
We safely walk to school without a sound
Well here we are no one else
We walk to school all by ourselves
There's dirt on our uniforms
From chasing all the ants and worms
We clean up and now it's time to learn
We clean up and now it's time to learn
Numbers letters learn to spell
Nouns and books and show and tell
Play time we will throw the ball
Then back to class through the hall
The teacher marks our height against the wall
The teacher marks our height against the wall
And we don't notice any time pass
Because we don't notice anything
And we sit side by side in every class
The teacher thinks that I sound funny
But she likes it when you sing
Tonight I'll dream in my bed
While silly thoughts run through my head
Of the bugs and alphabet
And when I wake tomorrow I'll bet
That you and I will walk together again
Because I can tell that we are going to be friends
I can tell that we are going to be friends