He obliged me with the customary "first day" photo this morning, as long as we did it without the backpack. After 2.8 seconds of shutter bursts it was full speed ahead with no looking back.
He proudly marched himself right into his colorful classroom, dropped his backpack on the floor like he owned the place, settled down to the business of serious play, and that was that.
It's going to be a great year!