Koen's First Day of Kindergarten!

Today Koen went to Kindergarten!  How have 5 years gone by so fast?  How has my little baby grown into this bright, silly, fun and sweet 5 year old heading off to school?  I thought it would be fun to show a picture from each of his 5+ years all from late August/early September so that you can see the progress he's made in stature at least.

September-ish 2007 (my photo organizing wasn't so great back in 2007, pre-blog!), Koen's about 4 or 5 months here:

September 2, 2008 at almost a year and a half old:

August 2009 at 2 years and 4 months old:

August 30, 2010 at 3+ years:

August 31, 2011 at 4+ years:

TODAY: August 30, 2012 at 5+ years old and headed to Kindergarten!

Doug took Koen to school so that I could keep the little ones home and to keep emotional mommy from making too big of a deal of the first day. =)  Doug did a great job cataloging the drop-off though.  Here's Koen glazed in the sunshine as he walked towards school.  He was so happy and excited.  A great start! 

Doug got Koen to do a funny pose too.  Classic Melder boy.  Hope his teachers are ready for this vivacious, hilarious little man! 

Almost there...

Koen was lovey and huggy with Doug, but was also happy to get started and sat down to make his name tag.

Can't you just see him evaluating his surroundings and situation in this photo?  Or perhaps he's just trying to think of what he wants to write on his name tag. =)

I guess he thought of something...

One final big smile for Daddy!

Doug picked up Koen at half-day dismissal.  We are doing 1/2 days this semester (good thing since Koen has been napping in the afternoons most days again lately).  Koen was super happy (actually so excited about Kindergarten that he asked why he didn't get to ride the bus and why he doesn't get to stay all day...already learning things from friends I guess!).  When he got home he was so excited about delivering his backpack with his folder packed with papers from his teacher and he can't wait for tomorrow.  It's show and tell day and he wants to bring Teddy of course.  I guess I have to be happy with those details, most of the other parts he explained were confusing.  Something about a scavenger hunt for their snack and that it was 3 types of crackers all in different shapes?  All around a great start to this exciting year for Koen.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers today!