Well Andrew had his first day of "school" this week. He is going to Parents Day Out on Tuesdays from 9:30 - 3:30. While we had hoped and planned to have him not start anything until next year, sometimes things change. For me it was a change in my work and the challenges that caring for two 2 year olds offered my friend who is expecting a baby soon. (I have to say if I was 6 months pregnant I wouldn't want to chase 2-2 year old's either).
So, while I was very hesitant about all of this Andrew was very eager. He has been asking to go to school for sometime now. I'm pretty sure this is mostly because he wanted to play on all of the playgrounds that he saw at the preschools around town. Whatever the motivation was, I'm glad that he was excited--but would it last? We spent several days talking to him and trying to prepare him for it; terrified of repeating the vomiting incidents of last fall when I started back to work. However, whenever we mentioned the word "school" he would immediately run to get his shoes, and stand waiting at the door--ready to go, not hearing another word we were saying.
On Sunday night we went out to buy his backpack (or "pack back" as he calls it) and his lunch box. He was quite sure that making these purchases meant it was time to go school right at that very minute and proceeded to cry on the way home when we told him he had to wait until Tuesday.
Finally Tuesday came and he was so excited. Marc asked me to take pictures of his big day, holding his back pack, standing outside the school--you know the drill. So I tried my darndest to get the pictures, however, most of them are of the back of his head. He was so excited to go he refused to stand still and never looked back. Here' s the few that he allowed me to take.
On our way out the door, he got distracted by the wall
Walking in the front door
My only chance at a face shot--go fast mom!
Heading down the stairs to his classroom
I called only twice during that 6 hours to see how he was doing and to see if he "needed me". Both times the teachers reported that he was doing great. When I went to pick him up at 3:00 (yes, I went early) the teachers said he did great--made a craft, played, sat at group (sorta), ate all of his lunch and with some assistance fell asleep on his cot and took a great nap. Wonderful--truly not a glitch to be had. I was so excited and releived that he had done so well and the teachers were so pleased as well.
Later that night as I was lying Andrew in his crib he looked up at me and said "What does Miss Mary Jo and Miss Edie say mommy"?
"I don't know", I said, "what do they say?"
"Mary Jo says stay on your little bed. I no like that little bed mommy"
We have since repeated this conversation many times. So maybe the day wasn't quite as perfect as everyone thought, but it was still pretty good. I'm curious as to what next week will be--will he love it still, or will the tears flow when he thinks about that little bed?
We'll keep you updated
