For Siena

'Tis the Night before Kindergarten

And all through our house,

Everyone is stirring

from baby to spouse.

The clothes are laid out,

the backpack is checked,

"Now is there anything,

I just might forget?"

I brought out the bread,

the p.b. and honey.

The lunchbox is packed,

so you don't lose lunch money.

You have spare supplies

and a gift for your teacher.

The classic red apple

is quite a fun feature.

She'll love you, I'm sure

from day one, just you see.

But try to listen, to share

and to sit quietly.

A quick note, I write

in a moment with care,

in hopes that your first day

will be easier to bear.

Not as hard for you

as it will be for me,

you've been anxiously waiting

since you were the age of three.

With a deep breath and a sigh

I turn off the light

and then head off to bed

where I will toss all night.

Kindergarten is fun,

you can't ask for much more.

Good luck! You're most ready

to step out the front door.

Big dreams lie ahead,

many more to discover.

School is just a first step

like it was for your mother.

On a very last note

I hope you'll remember

that I love you so much

apart and together.