First Day

This morning we got up bright and early (actually, that’s a lie, we all kind of slept in) and started scrambling around getting ready. Today was a special day, you see. Today our little two year old baby girl was off to pre-school for the first time.

We had been talking about it and she was more than pumped. She was so excited to go to “Scoo-ool. Not squirrel. Just scoo-ool”. To meet her new teacher and her new “swends”. She was exited for her backpack, her snack pail and for all the learning she was going to do.

When we got in the car this morning, she sang “Wheels on the Bus” the whole way there. And when we pulled into the church parking lot and she discovered that there! is! a! park! at her new school she just about died.

The drop-off went smooth as pie. I went into, we met her teacher, she showed her where her basket is and gave me the necessary paperwork. A few as seconds after arriving, the door opened again and immediately Evalyn’s eyes lit up, “Anosser swend is here! I go see it!” as she started racing back towards the door. There was no hesitation as she said goodbye to me. Just eagerness and excitement. I can’t say I’m surprised by this – Evalyn will be in her element there and I can’t wait to witness her growing and developing through this pre-school program.

Of course, I also have some worries and fears, as evidenced by my string of incoherent dreams (well, nightmares) about pre-school last night. What is she gets hurt? What if kids are mean to her? What if (gasp) she is mean to other kids? Of course, it’s always hard to let your babies out from under your wing – but I know, know, know in my heart that she will thrive and benefit from this experience. And I can’t say that I’m sad about the prospect of having two mornings a week to chill with Gwennie one on one.

In just over an hour I’ll head back out to pick her up with my fingers crossed that she comes home with a backpack full of happy stories to share with me.