Kindergarten. Already?

Why did she do that so quickly?

Elle can't be five yet. She isn't ready for Kindergarten.

Except...she is, and she is.

Her life has been a series of afternoons at the playground, chasing butterflies, painting fingernails, looking for ladybugs, drawing rainbows, floating around the pool, and lounging around in the mornings.

We certainly knew that this day would come and she would be off to spread her wings just a little bit more - but today it felt like we didn't have any warning about the first day of Kindergarten.

In the classroom: backpack on the hook, nametag on, school supplies ready, and she was sitting in her spot on the floor - and then I heard the sound of the bell ringing.

I didn't want the bell to ring.

We got a quick and distracted hug and kiss and there were no tears, no begging to go back home, no running towards the door. No drama, nothing.

All I saw was my beautiful little girl - sitting still and reading her book, ready to start Kindergarten.