This Journey Called Life: 1st Day of {Pre}School

Another first in the life of a child. First day of preschool!! Orientation was last Thursday and Grace was less than thrilled with us leaving her alone in the classroom while we went to the gym. This is a child whom I have been blessed enough to never have left with a stranger in her 4 years here on earth. Was it time? Yep. Was I still anxious and close to tears the last couple of days? Absolutely. Is she so ready and I know she will do great? For sure :)

Let me digress for some bragging. Grace has been reading for about a month or so now. Not War and Peace or anything but just shy of her fourth birthday she not only recognized every letter but knew what sound they made and could sound out 3-4 letter words. I don't attribute this to anything I did, I credit it to Nana and Leap Frog. Hahaha. No, but really she was just really interested and wanted to read. So my concern for her is not academically but social. She is my shy guy and thats okay. The fact that the shirt she chose to wear on her first day says "social butterfly" makes me chuckle a little bit. The interaction and social aspect of preschool will be so good for her. When I initially told her she was going to go to school she said, "I GONNA BE SHY!!". I said thats okay your daddy was shy until he was 14 and he turned out okay :)

Speaking of my biggest shy guy, this is the note he left for Grace. Cue round 1 of tears for mommy.

Grace woke up happy and ready to go. We got her dressed and brushed her hair and teeth first thing which is different than a Nana day. I told her she was wearing Ally's hand-me-down t-shirt and that it made her brave at her new school and would make her brave too. Big 'ol smile. We talked about what her day would be like while she was on the potty. She was looking forward to doing the weather board, playing with the kitchen, and finding out what circle time was all about. She was exited and calm and ready to go.

We got in the car and she was fine until we puled into the line for drop-off. When the tears started falling I asked her if she was going to be a big girl and she nodded yes. I told her I was proud of her, I loved her, and that Nana would pick her up after circle time. Mrs. Tippens opened the door and ended up having to carry her in crying. She remembered Grace from orientation "having a hard time" so I am sure she took extra special care of her. I pulled away with tears in my eyes too but I knew she was in good hands.