First graders are never scared.
My discussion with Em while tucking her in the night before school started…

E: I’m nervous about going to school tomorrow, Mama.
M: (Thinking this might be from discussions with a friend of hers earlier in the day) Why are you scared? What are you worried about?
E: Mmmm. I don’t know?
M: I thought you were so excited about being a first grader finally? Think of all the great things you are going to learn!
E: Hey, yeah. And first graders aren’t afraid of anything, are they?
M: I don’t think they are afraid of trying something new – and they definitely aren’t afraid of learning!
E: Ok. I’m not scared. And I think that first graders don’t need a nightlight either, Mama.

Alrighty then.

First graders are up before their alarm clocks (and parents).
Well, at least on the first day they are. We’ll see if this continues.

First graders get love notes on their way to school…

…and in their lunchboxes.

Speaking of which, first graders get to take their lunches to school!
It really was the highlight of our morning. Deciding what to take for our very first lunch, and packing it in our new lunchbox.  And no, I did not even *strongly suggest* this lunchbox. But imagine my excitement when she chose this one with the cute little tree and bird applique on it. And it says I *heart* trees.

Sigh. That’s my girl.

First graders still have to wait patiently while Moms take a million photos on the first day.

First graders line up to go into their classroom.
And seem oh, so very grown-up standing in line waiting for class. And they have classroom rules – three of them that she already knows by heart. And every time they do something good, they get a cougar paw and entered into a little lottery at the end of the week. Yeah, she already got her first cougar paw today. She was also office helper and line leader. Quite a first impression that kid makes, I’m sure.

First graders wait with crossed fingers to find out if their best friend is in their class.
It was pure agony around here the past week. They didn’t post the class lists until yesterday. I’m sure the shrieks of pure joy could be heard for miles when we walked over with the girls yesterday to discover that they were in fact in the same class.

First graders get awesome little crafty treat bags from their teachers...
Seriously – how cute are these?

…And then immediately break them open to share with their little sisters when they get home.

First graders are much better printers and spellers than kindergartners.
Although Em was a bit dismayed to learn that this week (Wed-Fri) they are doing a little kindergarten review. “It was a very easy day, Mama. I already know all that stuff.”

I can tell she was definitely trying very hard to print nicely. She doesn’t print that neatly at home for Mommy!

First graders are very relieved that first grade isn’t that much different from kindergarten…

…but are certain that it is going to be a whole lot more fun!
(For Mommy, too. So different than last year!)