First Days of School

 

 There is no post that can do justice to the first day of school after the last 2 dumb years. First up is my amazing third grader, looking so spiffy and excited to be going back.

While we were walking to school, Brock asked me what his special was that day (meaning either Music, Art, Drama, Gym or Computers). I said, "Art" (which is his favorite) and he stopped in his tracks and said, "you mean I get to go to art, in the ART ROOM?". I almost started crying. 

And now the big event, Miss Alice and the first day of pre-school.

We have been prepping her for this for a long time, and it had not been going well. I checked out lots of books (that she did ask to read often), watched some Daniel Tiger, and by her teacher's suggestion, lurked outside the windows of class to watch what the day was like. But still, she was very apprehensive. I made her a pillow and a Myrna blanket for naptime for some soft courage.

Here is her packed bag, complete with Other Myrna, the double of Myrna that she can keep at school.

and here she is ready to go in. She looks pumped, doesn't she? hmmmm

I mean, it went pretty bad, but it was fast, like taking off a bandaid that ends up taking off your whole arm. This is not the school's first rodeo clearly, but she had to walk in by herself. Which she did. So that was good, no leg clinging and tearing away. Once she was in the door, she THEN started screaming for me. But by then I was scuttled down the street choking on three years of pent up emotion and the closing of an era. But don't worry about me, I hit the shops and only felt guilty for enjoying myself as my little one suffered a couple of times.

The school was great and sent pics through the day and communicated that she was quite teary most of the day, but did blurt out that her favorite fruit was "strawberries" (I've never observed or heard her say that, so it may have been a panic response). Apparently she spent a lot of time in the "coup" a quiet nook that has a snuggly octopus. But she did say that lunch was "yummy" multiple times, sometimes through tears. Sigh.

 Yet, she did manage to find a work to do which was great news.

and there she is in circle time, putting on a brave face.
 

As promised, after a courageous day, one needs a little ice cream. She went for the usual, chocolate. And seemed to recover quickly.  Brock for his usual, Lavender Wildberry, and Matt and I were so full chested we almost forgot about how empty stomached we were watching them delight in the luscious treats (we are on our annual diet, grrrrr).

 As expected, the next day was almost worse. Then after 4 days off, Tuesday was also not so good but each day she found new stuff to do and today I think she might have even been excited. I was complimented on how brave Alice was and how she would be blocking tears to try and participate. She excitedly yelled a teacher's name going in on Friday, and she reports that she likes the bubbles work most. The child sized potties and furniture are a big hit, and they go outside and play in the grass every day and she seems to enjoy walking there together as a class. I'm so proud of her and it truly is a major life change for all of us that we are all adjusting to. With happy endings, of course.