Dear Simon,

Today you begin First Grade.

Yesterday we all went together to the Open House to meet your teacher and visit your new classroom. You were so excited you could hardly stand it. At first we weren't sure if you were just excited that we were coming with you to school or that you were going back and were going to be able to see all your friends and favorite teachers again.

Seeing you all jazzed up was the most fantastic gift - you hugged every single teacher from last year and went up to each of your friends to say hi. Watching you interact with each of them was one of my favorite moments of the day.

We visited your new classroom and met your new teachers. You found your table (with your name already on it) and your cubby and went right to work investigating your new classroom. You saw lots of words on the wall and found a good break area with so many books and puzzles. Together we read all the names of all the students in your class and talked about the opportunity to make new friends.

We also visited the other First Grade classrooms across the hall and found many of your friends from Kindergarten. We saw Nathaniel, Alexis, Analise, and Ben, along with a bunch of other kids you remembered from last year.

We checked out the gym and the cafeteria and talked about how this year you will walk to class with the First Graders, rather than the Kindergartners, which means you will have to wait just a bit longer before being dismissed. You are a school-lunch kid and are very excited about getting back into your lunchtime routine in the cafeteria (especially your favorite nachos).

I just kept looking at your Dad and smiling so very wide as you went from one thing to the next.

After we had thoroughly checked everything out we went to have pizza for lunch at one of your favorite spots to celebrate going back to school (and your excitement).

Today is a big day for you and we couldn't be more proud to see you moving forward! Have fun, take deep breaths and a break if you need one, and most of all remember that we love you very, very much.

Mom & Dad

Perfect for Today: A great read for back to school, parenting, and being brave: Like Mother, Like Superhero.

Also, just a reminder that there is still time to enter the giveaway today for Taking Flight (until 5pm Pacific).