My husband and I are officially one year out from becoming the parents of a Kindergartner. How did this happen? Didn't I just have the baby? Or, at least just parade my six-month-old around in his pea pod Halloween costume? Nope. Four years have passed and we're in the home-stretch to Kindergarten. Emotions aside (expect waterworks from me next Fall, people), what does this mean exactly? Should I be happy? Sad? Both?

Our son will no longer be a daycare kid. True enough. Without daycare expenses, is that lake house or kitchen remodel finally within our reach? Not likely. There's before-school care to pay for. Oh, and after-school care. We'll still be shelling out money each week, so no big change there.

He'll finally sleep through the night. Who knows. Most of my friends who had a head start on me in the parenting department say there kids are really tired after Kindergarten. No more naps! Although, I fantasize about getting a great night's sleep in a bed that sleeps two NOT three, my gut tells me that my son is just not a good sleeper. And, our pediatrician agrees. She shared with us at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and every milestone check up to the present that "some kids just aren't great sleepers. I think you have one of those."

Will he still want to play with his daycare pals? (i.e. Will I lose touch with my mom friends?) Our kids have been inseparable since they were six month old. Daycare friendships led to play date friendships which led to mommy having a great group of cool mom friends. I love my mom friends and can't imagine not seeing them virtually every day. What will happen when our kids scatter to various elementary schools around town? Yikes. Will our kids remember each other? Will the moms still get together for "Girl's Night Out"? Gosh, I hope so. I'm in! How about the rest of you?

In the meantime, we have a whole year of pre-school ahead of us! What milestones will my son reach this year? Last year's biggie was my son declaring his independence from pull-ups. Also, what do we as parents need to do to prepare our soon-to-be-Kindergartner for his elementary school debut? My friend Carolyn told me he'll be tested on what a "curve" is. Really?

I'm sure I'll be studying the "what your child needs to know for Kindergarten" websites and pamphlets soon enough. For now, we simply plan to enjoy our boy as he changes and grows and makes us laugh out loud. Right now he's lounging on his new sleeping bag in our living room watching Toy Story 2 on DVD holding his Sheriff Woody doll in the crook of his arm. Come to think of it, he's growing up way too fast and I'd really like to slow things down - a LOT. Next year he'll be taking the bus, eating his lunch in a cafeteria....deep breaths...stop panicking!

From behind my chair I hear "Mommy, you're just beautiful!" Why do I suspect this level of sweetness won't last long either. "Thank you, sweetie", I say with a smile and a squeeze that says "you're always going to be mommy's baby."