FFF - Jaden's 1st Day of 1st Grade - not without drama

(ABOVE: Jaden after getting dressed for her 1st day of 1st grade!)
(ABOVE: Jaden posing out front before heading to the bus stop!)
(ABOVE: Jaden about to board the school bus and head off to 1st grade!)

Happy Favorite Foto Friday … the day is going by pretty fast – it’s almost noon here! Well I am straying from topic this week since yesterday was Jaden’s First Day of First Grade~ I am happy to report she boarded her school bus for the first time and waved goodbye – I then walked to my car where the tears flowed … yeah, I must be pregnant huh? Well I was driving to board my bus to downtown Minneapolis when is dawned on me that I never put the bus route information for after school’s stop in her bag. I then got a little nervous so I called the school where they could not guarantee that Jaden would board the correct bus home. Yeah, that made me feel better. I then called the transportation office asking them if it was possible that Jaden could just get off the bus at any stop and they said that yes, that can happen. Once again – no warm and fuzzy feelings for me. So I got myself all worked up and visioned Jaden boarding the bus and getting off at the first stop in some random neighborhood (she boards the bus at home in the morning and gets off the bus in the afternoon at her daycare’s house). I had visions of her sitting on the side of the road crying her eyes out because she is lost and she won’t knock on someone’s door since they’re strangers. So needless to say I was not sitting her at work worried she’d be lost somewhere in Prior Lake or Savage! So I decided to leave work early, drive to her school and ‘hide’ while watching her get on her bus – which I am happy to report she got on her bus fine. I then drove to the scheduled stops to make sure she didn’t get off at the wrong one. My daycare lady – Danyelle – assured me she waits in her driveway for the kids to get off so I wasn’t worried about that part. I followed the bus for 6 stops until we got to daycare – where I watched all the kids get off – EXCEPT for Jaden!!! Yeah, so my heart dropped and I get anxious. The bus pulls away and starts to drive by daycare where Danyelle waves her hand and the bus stops … she walks on the bus and walks off holding Jaden’s hand! PHEW – I was relieved that she was on the bus but I also knew this whole bus thing would be different for the both of us. It was a good thing Danyelle was there to stop the bus and get Jaden off and I am happy to report that once we got home Jason and I sat Jaden down and went over what to do. She needs to pay attention to the other kids who go to the same daycare with her and get off when they get off. She also needs to not get off the bus at all if she doesn’t know where to go – safer to stay on than to get off. We also attached a laminated card to her bag with her name, route number and street intersection for her to show the driver in case she is confused. She felt better about that – but sadly this morning was met with tears as she boarded her bus because she was nervous … I know she will do just fine and it will take just a week or two to get familiar with the routine but she’ll get it … so Jaden’s 1st Day of 1st Grade was a good one in general! She met new friends, organized her desk, had gym class, read a book, learned about frogs and had recess! Sounds like a fun day to me … I am sure today will be just as fun! We don’t have any plans this weekend … just relaxing in the 70 degree weather … preparing for construction and fall! Hope you all have a great weekend! Hop onover to Sarah's Site at http://www.kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com to view more FFF's!

Love ~ The Clark Family ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Baby Charlotte