Whenever I call Kira a baby (ex. “Hi baby”) she corrects me and says “I am not a baby! I am a KID!” She’ll always be our baby, but she understands she’s getting older and constantly mentions how she can’t wait to be as tall and as big as her older cousins. She’s turning 5 in a few months and will be starting Kindergarten this fall. She will no longer be in our bubble and I am scared out of my mind but at the same time excited to see what she’s capable of achieving. We know she’s very smart, intuitive, resourceful, witty, and her street smarts is what sets her apart. How she applies this to school will be very interesting and eye opening I’m sure.

Every Wednesday for the past few months she has been going to Bible School at Perry Hall Baptist Church. She loves going and always has funny stories to share but I didn’t have a chance to experience her actually “going” until the other day. I’ve heard she sometimes plays by herself, doesn’t really talk much to others unless she’s spoken to, and always wants to be first or sit next to the teacher.

So off we went, just the two of us on the way to Bible School. When we arrived I went to the wrong door.

Kira: DAD! We go through THAT door!
Daddy: Oooh OK!

She guides me down the hall of the church towards her classroom.

Kira: Wait! First we have to get name tags for us.
Daddy: Where?
Kira: Over there… (Points to the computer with a label printer) Now put my name on the computer.
Daddy: And then what?
Kira: Here’s my name tag and here’s your name tag. Put this one on my back and you keep this one.

We finally walk to her classroom and her teachers are saying “Hi Kira!”… “Hey Kira!” and she responds “Hiiiiii” with a big smile on her face. Meanwhile, she left me at the door and didn’t say “bye” or give me a hug and kiss. She also forgot to get her Cubbie bag and school book from me. I walk over to her, “Kira here’s your bag” and her teacher responds “Oh she doesn’t need that, she remembers EVERYTHING!” and we shared a laugh. Kira says “Thanks Dad” and gives me a hug and kiss, “See you later!”

I left the room and paced the hallways wondering where has the time gone? Will she be OK? Maybe she needs me for something? Is she wondering where I am? Does she miss me? I peeked into the room. Then I peeked again.

And then again.

And then again.

She was sitting at a little table, in a little chair, with four other little kids, playing with their little toys. I watch her get up to grab another toy and bring it back to the table. I watched her share toys with the other kids. I am watching her growing up before my eyes and I think to myself, she’s doing just fine. She doesn’t need me right now. She’s not wondering where I am. But does she miss me?

Two hours crawl by in what feels longer than the 5 years she has been alive. I return to the classroom and see her sitting front and center, right in front of the teacher during story time. As I’m standing there one of her teachers asks if I want her to get Kira and I tell her no it’s OK, she loves stories.

Kira: Daddy!!!!!! (smiling from ear to ear)
Daddy: Hey Kira!!!!
Kira: I missed you! Where are we going now? (gives me a big hug)
Daddy: I missed you too! We’re going home now OK? How was school?
Kira: Good!