Kindergarten Adventure

Samuel, 

Here I am trying to find something profound to say on your first day of kindergarten and I can't think of single thing.

 Instead, I'm searching my memory banks of when I first found out I was pregnant with you, they way you felt in my arms for the very first time, the overwhelming feelings you brought me of love, joy, excitement, and worry. 

Today is the first day you start the journey of finding out who you are. I can't shield you from the naughty, disrespectful, scary, disappointing world this can be. 

Your wings are feathered and it's time to leave the nest to try them out on your own. 

With every progressing year it is my duty to help foster that you take the road less traveled and make something of yourself. That may mean that I have to stand idly by and watch you skin your knee so that you can learn for yourself- and how hard that will be! 

Son:

Be kind to everyone even when it's hard. 

Never make fun of someone else to make yourself feel important or to impress the"in crowd" only the weak and insecure do that.

Know that you are NO better but are also No worse than anyone else standing around you. 

Don't judge- that is God's job.

Always try your best even when you get to the age where that might not be the cool thing to do- it makes things easier in the long run and you'll be able to look back so proud.

Ask lots of questions.

Be comfortable in your own skin- you are who you are because God made you special!

Learn how to be a good loser and a good winner BOTH are equally important lessons.

Be nice to girls- someday, one will win your heart and take care of you for better and for worse.

Enjoy life...there is disappointment, sadness, and anger but for the little you'll go through there is always more happiness, excitement, joy, and love to help get you through it. It doesn't always go your way but there is something to be learned from all experiences even if you don't see or understand it in the moment- clarity will eventually come to you.

Have a wonderful adventure son, enjoy the ride!

Waiting outside kindergarten doors before school starts

Still waiting- just happier about it. :-)

A quiet moment of observation- my how you've grown in five years!

You requested this picture after seeing another kid getting their picture taken by the school sign.

So big yet still so small...

Hellllooooo ladies, my name's Samuel Robert Kellen 

A quick good-luck hug from daddy

Finding your hook all by yourself

Finding your seat on your own

Nervous and excited- waiting for instruction

Your very first assignment: drawing a self portrait

Getting crayons and pencils ready....

One of my personal favorite shots of the day:

THE BEGINNING

Starting your work

You thought I had left at this point, you're deep in concentration now.

"I love my mother for all the times she said absolutely nothing.... Thinking back on it all, it must have been the most difficult part of mothering she ever had to do: knowing the outcome, yet feeling she had no right to keep me from charting my own path. I thank her for all her virtues, but mostly for never once having said, "I told you so." 
— Erma Bombeck

Son, I have already learned so much from all my experiences thus far in life that I'm confident in how I want to raise you, what I want to be for you- I hope I don't disappoint in the end of it all. I'll help you and you help me, we will grow and learn together through this wonderful journey called life.

I love you will all that I am and all that I have!

~Mommy