First Day Of Preschool

Today was Clare’s first day of school Child Discovery Time preschool.  We’re fortunate that there is such a wonderful preschool program at the Rec. center where I work, and even more fortunate that there was space for her in the Tuesday/Thursday 9-11:30 class.   I am confident that this is a wonderful program and Clare will do well, once she gets over the first few days she’ll love it.

We’ve been talking about going to school and preparing her for today.  Last week she and I bought her school supplies, 1 box of wipes, 1 bottle of Elmer’s glue, and 9 swim diapers.  I couldn’t help but get excited looking around the school supply department at Target, there’s something about new pens that just gets me going.  One thing Clare is very much looking forward to, and likes to talk about, is riding the school bus.  Yesterday she was talking about how the school bus would take her to school today, I hated to break her heart telling her that unfortunately school busses didn’t go to her school, maybe in 3 more years she’ll get to finally ride the school bus. 

This morning when I walked into her room she was lying there with Bunny and holding her baby.  She looked so perfect, and was so happy to see me walk in the room.  I asked her if she remembered what today was, she was beyond excited and yelled ‘I get to ride the bus to school!’  I reminded her that unfortunately she wouldn’t be riding the bus but rather I would take her to school, she was fine with this and exclaimed that she wanted to wear a pretty dress!  She got dressed and then fixed herself a waffle while I did her Mama Tails.  It was a great morning and I loved seeing her so excited. 

Before leaving for school I suggested taking pictures outside to send to GG, Pawpaw, Grammy and Grampy.  I went with the mountain background, our front door isn't nearly as pleasing to the eye. 

When we arrived at the Rec. center she asked we were going to my work, I reminded her that her school was at my work.  We parked in the back and made our way to the classroom.  I knew that she would know three other kids, Kinnan and Lily also go to Karen’s, and Kennah is the daughter of one of Jeff’s softball teammates and also happens to be the granddaughter of our executive director.  Fortunately Kennah and her mom Tarah, and baby brother Easton, were walking up as we arrived, it was nice to see a friendly face on the first day of school.  Clare and Kennah immediately started talking; I think Clare felt a little more at ease seeing someone she knew.  It was even more reassuring to see Kinnan and Lily walk up, she loves to play with Lily and wanted to hold her packpack just like her.

Kennah and Clare

Kinnan, Lily and Clare - Karen's Kids

Kennah and Clare testing out the water fountain as we waited.

This is the best picture of the morning, minus the little boy photo bombing it :/

We waited in the hallway until a few minutes before nine when Ms. Shaddy opened the door.  Clare walked in without hesitation and immediately began playing with the babies, kitchens, ironing board and camera.  I hardly had a moment to take a picture of her with her cubby before she was off and playing.  Clare has her own cubby with her name on it, and it’s spelled right!  I hung her packpack in her cubby and handed the teacher her school supplies.  I tried to convince her to smile for the camera but she was too busy playing, it was all I could do to keep her still long enough to pin her nametag on her. 

Cheese Mama!!

After a few more minutes of trying to get her picture I decided I should just leave, I figured if I left while she was happy maybe she wouldn’t mind and we’d get thru the day without tears.  So, I asked her for a hug and kiss and told her how proud I was of her and how much I loved her.  She gave me a hug and ran back to the play kitchen.  I left the room and headed back to my office 40 yards away.   This is when the first time mom nerves got me, I just left my little girl in a classroom, and she’s going to school!  I shouldn’t have, but I wanted to go check on her.  When I walked by the room I didn’t see her, until the teacher carried her out of the bathroom with huge alligator tears running down her face.  I quickly ducked so she wouldn’t see me and waited around the corner where I could see thru the window.  She wasn’t the loudest kid, Julian was having a real hard time, and so was his mom who was sitting in the hall.  I watched for a few more minutes, Mrs. Abbas tried to interest her in a toy and then walked over to the fish tank.  I decided to be the stronger of the two of us and walk away, I knew she would be fine, and plus Ms. Shaddy had officially closed the door.

I texted my Mom and GG on my way back to my office, letting them know that she was in her classroom and had officially started her first first day of school.  I called Jeff and let him know she was upset and to please be early to pick her up, of course the one day a month when I have a meeting somewhere else was today so I wasn’t able to be there to pick her up. 

I kept checking my phone anxious for a message from Jeff about how the pickup went, finally at 12:01 I got a message saying that she had happily walked on the wall outside the Rec. center on their way to the car, I took that to be a victory walk of sorts.  When I asked if the teacher had anything to report he said that apparently she’d gotten her Bunny out of her packpack and was fine after that.  She gave Jeff her very first art project, a packpack that she decorated with some paper, it’s absolutely beautiful and I’ve put it on the fridge. I’m sure there will be lots of art projects in her future and I can’t wait to make room on the wall for all of them.

All in all it was a successful first day of school and she says she wants to go back on Thursday.  I think we’ll leave Bunny in my office, I’m sure she’ll have some important work to do while Clare is in class and will be very happy to see her when she’s done.