Alana is our little Chef. She's had the opportunity to spend time with Her Mamaw, Mrs. Teresa Hightower, her Grandmother, and her Granda all of whom cook up a feast when she's with them. They have all inspired her. She gets so excited when I mention baking something with her. She loves to watch the Food Network channel and she knows all of the Chef's by name. 
Summer break has finally come to an end, and our family is beginning a new chapter in our lives. Our precious Alana started Kindergarten on August 24th and this past week has been a whirlwind of emotions as we've hit a new Milestone for our family.
It seems like just yesterday Jim and I were celebrating Alana's arrival. The past 5 years have just flown by and we've had the best time. She was so excited about starting Kindergarten. When we arrived at the school she could hardly contain herself. The packed hallway didn't seem to intimidate her at all and the overwhelming crowd of kids and parents didn't phase her either. She had to go to the music room before going to class. The music room is where all of the Kindergartener's meet and then they walk together to their classroom. As she waited in the music room, she smiled for pictures and kept waving at me. She really felt proud and like a Big Girl.
Talk about breaking my heart, Alana got extremely upset once it was time for me to actually leave her at school. When the teacher told the parents to go ahead and make their way to the door, I looked back and Alana was crying and reaching her arms out for me as though she needed me to rescue her. Tears streamed down my face as I walked out of the room. I waited for a few minutes because each class came out in a line and walked to their new classroom. I felt sure that Alana would be fine by that time, but I was wrong. These pictures capture the true emotion of that moment.
A sweet teacher felt so bad for her, once she realized that Alana was so upset she walked in the classroom and hugged her and tried to make her feel comfortable. Now that's the kind of person I want working with my child. Mrs. Johnson went over and beyond. When Alana got home I asked her if it helped and she said, "Yes mom, it really did help me. She told me everything was going to be fine." 
I've heard mix reviews from people about the Kindergarten experience and thought I knew exactly how our's would go. But afterall, I was completely shocked by all of the emotions, but it was a good thing for me becasue it showed me the power of love and that no matter how big Alana gets, she will ALWAYS need her mommy's love.
