Deja vu

It seems like it was just a few months ago that Rachel finished her first week of kindergarten and was in the teddy bear parade. In reality two years have passed and it was Sarah's turn to sing the song (We're going on a teddy bear parade, we're going on a teddy bear parade, 1, 2, 3 here we go, we're going on a teddy bear parade) through the school halls today before meeting her 7th grade buddy. The pictures aren't much, but it is hard to get good photos in dark halls with 40 kids on the move and almost as many parents.

The march through the cafeteria brought me (and I wasn't the only one) to tears. The second, third and fourth graders were having lunch and everyone joined in on the song and applauded for the kids - it was really neat. Well, except for the crying mothers bit.

I think the seventh graders were more excited about getting their buddies than the kindergartners were. I also think Sarah was a bit overwhelmed - it was hard to get many smiles from her. These buddies will be accompanying the kids on their first field trip and are involved in a lot of other activities from Christmas parties, to flying kites to reading to the kids. It's a really neat idea that gives the little ones someone to look out for them and gives the older kids a sense of responsibility. Win -win.

The buddies had questions for the kids, and they will use the information they gleaned to write a personalized fairy tale for their buddy later in the year.

We're looking forward to getting to know Sarah's buddy, who seemed very sweet. She will know a thing or two about kindergartners as well, as she has a younger brother in Sarah's class.