The Doty Family: Reagan is a 1st Graders!

I can't believe it, but Reagan has started 1st grade. Her first day of school was Aug. 17. She was really excited but a little nervous because she moved from Monte Vista to Jordan Ridge Elementary this year. I tried to assure her that everyone would be nice. She was mostly worried about missing her friends. I know how important it is to have friends. I told Reagan to be nice to everyone and in time she would make friends. Her first day was not a normal day of school. She had an appointment to go meet here teacher and do a little testing. So, she actually went to school all day on Aug. 18th. She woke up extra early and made sure everything was perfect. She had picked out what she wanted to wear the night before, but that is normal at our house. I didn't start school until that Thursday so I was lucky enough to take her and pick her up from her first few days of school! We arrived at school at about 8:15. Her teacher said she would come outside to get them about 8:25. So all of the kids played on the little playground for a few minutes. Then everyone started to line up to go inside. Reagan started getting really excited. She had a backpack full of things to give Mrs. Ott, from her teacher wish list. Reagan loves giving things to people! I felt a little emotional as I gave her a huge and stood back as she started to walk away. I didn't get to take her to her first day of kindergarten because I was already in school, so I think this was make up from last year. I just can't believe she is growing up so quickly. She is loving school! She is learning new things everyday. She is recognizing so many words that reading is becoming easier each week. It is amazing how quickly kids learn at such a young age. She loves math... she talks to me about patterns and things she notices with numbers weekly. Inside I am really happy because I know how some kids struggle and I hope she gets a good understanding at each level. She loves that she gets to each school lunch! She was a little nervous that she wouldn't like what the school made, but so far there has only been one thing she hasn't liked. They get to choose between two food items per day. Reagan also loves recess. The first day of school, she was playing and didn't hear the whistle to in and got left outside. She was crying and someone saw her and helped her find her class. She has payed better attention since! She is also making friends now. It took about two weeks, but now she talks about different friends. There was a big difference from kindergarten to 1st grade. In kindergarten, not too many kids know each other, but by 1st grade they do. There were some girls that didn't want to play with her because they didn't know her. Reagan was really sad about this. I told her to keep trying. It would take some time, but she would make friends. Then, one day, after I picked the kids up Reagan said, "Mom you were right!" I asked here what I was right about and she said, "You said it would take a little while to make friends and I made one today! You were right!" My heart was immediately happy for her! She told me all about her. When I asked Reagan what her name was she said she didn't know and that she would ask her her name tomorrow. We went to a fundraiser last night at Bingham High for the PTA and she saw several classmates and they had a great time. I'm glad that she has settled in!