Addie is a Kindergartner!

Our sweet little almost FIVE year old is now an elementary schooler.  On Tuesday September 7th Addie started Kindergarten at Tabb Elementary School in Yorktown, VA.  She martched in happy as can be and sat at her desk like a big girl.  We took pictures, and then stood there as if in a trance knowing we had to leave but not wanting to budge.  It's then that the tears started flowing, not from her but from me (and Henry too).  Huge crocodile ones at that.  My sweet little girl grew up over night. 

This poem says it all... and more. 

She started school this morning,
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the Kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside
the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as
She first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed
In learning how to write.
It seems as though she must have grown
To girlhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred by hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I mar her first big day

Oh how I longed to stay with her
And keep her by the hand
To lead her through the places
That she couldn't understand.

And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,
To work her problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl
With friends and work and play;
She's not a baby anymore --
She's in Kindergarten today.