Back in Kindergarten Again

This past week I had the privilege of going back to kindergarten. Ethan's class went on a walking field trip to Dickinson College's Trout Gallery, so I took the afternoon off to join them and am so glad I did. I was able to leave my school early enough to make it to lunch with Ethan and his classmates, which was an experience all by itself.
The kids gobbled down their lunches as they shouted, "Hey, Ethan's mom! Hey, Ethan's mom!"
"Yes?"
"Um, I'm six."
"Really?"
"Yes, I'm older than he is!"
"Hey, Ethan's mom! Hey, Ethan's mom!"
"Um, yes, hon?"
"Guess what?!"
"What?"
"I can eat two crackers at once!"
"Really?"
"Hey, Ethan's mom! Hey, Ethan's mom!"
"Yes."
"Hey, Ethan's mom! Hey, Ethan's mom!"
You get the picture.
Lunch was followed by recess, where I got a prime seat to watch an enthralling game of kickball. The boys sprinted around the field like mad men in the somewhat semblance of the original game.
After a brief recess, the whistle was blown and the kids raced to their respective lines. Voices off, eyes forward, walk. An even more brief stop at the classroom then the bathrooms, and we were off.
The kids did surprising well walking hand-in-hand with their buddies through town, and the field trip itself was pretty cool. The kids got to see some amazing art. They were intrigued by the sculptures. The gallery workers were great with the kids and each child left with their own original creations. Even though various pieces of their sculptures fell off on the walk back to school, the kids chatted about the fun they had had.
Upon returning to school, it was snack time followed by centers. Ethan didn't want me to leave so I hung out the rest of the school day. When Ethan was called up to choose his center, he picked Art because he knew that I would like coloring with him. So I spent the rest of my afternoon at a teeny desk coloring with Ethan and his new school friend.
I loved the afternoon. I got to step into his world and meet all the kids he constantly talks about these days. Plus, I don't get to spend that much time with Ethan anymore so it was a really treat.
Kindergarten seems like such a magical age. The kids are still cute and they learn by leaps and bounds. It is truly amazing. But I know I could never put up with all those untied shoes, snotty noses, constant questions, and unzipped jackets for too long. I don't know how my mom did it all those years or how Ethan's teacher even does it everyday. My heart-felt thanks go out to all those kindergarten teachers. You are amazing!

Walking in line.