Growing Up to Kindergarten

A week or so ago I found a book I had bought quite a while back for Emma called, On the Way to Kindergarten.  It was cute and had catchy prose about a child at each stage/year of life from birth to five years old and going to school.  We read it and though it was cute, I was disappointed in how little of it Emma could relate to.  It seemed a little more geared toward boys and it didn't fit as Emma is already six now.  I got this crazy idea to write a similar book totally about her.  It took me a few days, but I finally got it done and read it to her on the evening of her first day of Kindergarten.  She loved it.

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GROWING UP TO KINDERGARTEN

As a NEWBORN baby, you brightened our lives

You ate, cooed and slept, woke us with your cries.

We sang song after song to you when you fussed

You loved to be held and your grin melted us.

When you were ONE, you still liked to rock

You drank your own “wa'or” and started to walk.

You talked up a storm and made silly faces

You hated the car but loved going places.

When you were TWO, you “skied” and you danced

You got a big girl bed and Dora underpants!

You played dress up in “pancy”, “pinkiful” clothes

And diligently picked the jam from your toes.

When you turned THREE, you were quite the BIG SIS

You loved having Samuel to hold and to kiss

You had little tantrums and did not like naps

You were sweet as sugar and enjoyed doing crafts.

At FOUR your curls bounced as you trotted along

You played baby dolls and made up your own songs

You went to Pre-K and you learned how to read

Your ownroom was born with brother number three.

Your turned FIVE as a princess SO wishing to fly

You watched Cinderella for the very first time!

You ran super fast, pumped your legs on the swing

Your girl time with Mom was a favorite thing.

Now you are SIX and your walk has a twirl

You dance at ballet and have long ringlet curls

You write words and draw pictures on papers galore

And earn an allowance by doing your chores.

You sleep in a bed that is high off the floor

You can buckle your seatbelt and shut the car door

You lost your first tooth a few weeks ago

And this summer you learned how to tie a real bow!

Samuel’s your partner in silliness and crime

You’re happy when Nathan gives you some time

You adore little Lucas and cherish his hugs

But your GIRL friends are very important, Junebug.

Where is the newborn we cuddled and fed?

Where is the sweet toddler tugging my leg?

You’ve grown, and changed, you’ve become such a jewel

And now you are off to full day school!

We know you’ll do well and will make lots of friends

And probably be sad when Kindergarten ends

But let’s not rush through this phase of your youth

We cherish EACH DAY with our dear Emma Ruth!