Finlay's First day of Kindergarten

September 10, 2015

So today Finlay headed off to his first day of kindergarten.  He was so excited and filled with enthusiasm to get to his new school, meet his teachers and especially excited to hang out with his friend from pre-school Emerys.  

As we waited in the school yard with the other anxious parents and kids, Finlay just started talking to random older kids.  No fear.  He played around the school yard a bit but would occasionally look for us. When the school bell rang we took him into his class. The kids were met by their teachers, one of whom began to sing a song calling the children to the mat in the corner of the classroom. That was all that was needed for any anxiousness he may have been feeling to disappear.  Fin ran to the mat and did not look back.  Lyndze and I stood at the side of the class with the other parents for a couple minutes watching.  Finlay sat on the mat calling out enthusiastic answers to questions the teacher may or may not have actually asked.  We had to leave because of our loving laughter at Finlay's unbridled enthusiasm was likely to interrupt the class.  It was an exciting but strange experience.  We are used to having Fin in all day  preschool, we have done the first day drop-offs before but there is something decidedly different about this.   We are really excited for the adventures to come but it is moments like that where we find ourselves looking back to the past.   

Here are a few fun facts about Finlay on the day he entered his first day of school

Name: Finlay - aka Fin - aka Fin-Fan aka Finner-McKinner

Age:  4 years + 9 months old
Favourite Food: "Honey-butter toast" (Toast with peanut butter and honey)
Favourite Song: It's a tie between "Shaking a baby now" (Twist and Shout) + Hard Days Night 
Favourite Band: The Beatles (not surprising considering the favorite songs)
What am I excited about at school?  Meeting my teachers and being with my friend Emerys 
What have I recently learned how to do?  Ride my bike standing up
What was my favourite moment of summer? Sleeping over at Alyx, Amy, Peter and Emily's house + Going to Ontario to see my family

Finlay was out on the driveway getting ready. I believe this is an action shot of Fin jumping with excitement.

Mid jump

We were able to get him to stand still for one picture!

Fin wanted a picture of him riding his bike on his first day of school.  His school is a bit far away for him to ride to at this point so we just took some pictures for him!

Off he goes to kindergarten

We just pulled into the school yard and Fin was looking around at all the big kids.  They were skateboarding and on their scooters. It was all very exciting.

Fin in front of his school

Fin is attending a little school called "South Park."  It is in the public school board but is a bit of an alternative school that is arts based and does not focus on traditional grading and expects a lot of parental involvement. We are pretty excited about it having had some friends that attended it when they were kids.