The first day of preschool. I wondered what the emotions would be like. Would I cry? Would Alex? Would he like it? Would I be affirmed of our decision to send him there? How would this new adventure begin?
We've spent the last few days talking to Alex about starting school. We've told him that he would get to make new friends and learn all kinds of really neat things. We talked to him about being kind and obeying his teacher. And this morning before we left, I read him a letter his teacher had written to him a couple of weeks ago and showed him the gingerbread boy name tag she made especially for him. He was so excited; he kept asking me to read the letter "again" and "again."
When we got to the school, he was such a chipper little guy. He hopped along and went right into his classroom without a moment's hesitation. Walked right in and made himself at home at the train table and car race track. Mrs. Fentress (his teacher) knew the way to his heart.
He enjoyed meeting the other kids in his class (there are only four kids total which I really like) and playing at the different centers with them.
Once Alex was settled in, Jerry and I left to go to the parent orientation in the church sanctuary. Alex never even batted an eye when we walked out. Not only did I leave the room dry-eyed, I left floating on cloud nine and saying to Jerry, "I am so excited for him. I really think he's going to love it here!" Jerry agreed. His teacher seems wonderful. The room is cheerful and packed with great toys for the kiddos. And you know I'm a sucker for the crafts and coloring pages, which they will have each day. Not to mention that there's a monthly bible verse and story, along with outside play and music time. Now I'm sure that these things are standard in most mother's day out preschool programs, but it was just so exciting to see it all laid out in front of us, especially knowing how much Alex enjoys doing so many of those things these days.
The first day is just one hour so that the two- and three-year olds can get settled in comfortably. So after school was finished for the day, Jerry and I asked Alex if he wanted to go have lunch to celebrate his first day. Of course! And then the conversation went like this...
Us: "What do you want to eat?"
Alex: "Ranch."
Us: "What do you want with your ranch?"
Alex: "Fries."
Us: "What do you want with your fries?
Alex: "Hot dog."
So hot dog, fries and ranch it was. Oh, and his very own pink lemonade, too.
After everything was said and done, I realized that I was a bit emotional about the day, but in a way I hadn't expected. No tears. Not even close. Just pure joy and excitement in all that lies ahead for our Little Man. I think school is going to be a really wonderful adventure for him.
