Well, the day I had been looking forward to/dreading for a while came and went yesterday. Pax man went to his first day of pre-school! To say that he was excited is a huge understatement. When you look at the pictures I tried to get, you'll see that he did not stand still for long - the life of a two year old :)
One of the things I love about his school is the class size - 8 little ones and 2 teachers.. and more importantly, everything they put in place to help parents and kiddos transition to this new life of school. Their head teacher makes a home visit to meet your child, take their picture and see them in their home environment. As a parent it was so nice to meet his teacher outside of a school setting and see the "real" person behind the name. The Friday before school started they had a meet and greet at his school where only his class and parents came during a time slot so not only did he get to see his classroom and teacher again, but he met some of his class and we got to meet their parents. On the first day of school yesterday they went a short day from 9-11... which was nice for everyone.
When I envisioned his first day I was hopeful he would just walk in and be fine, but I really thought there would be tears and some separation anxiety issues. Y'all... he got out of the car and walked in the church with "tow tow" (mater aka comfort item) and "choo choo" (train aka 2nd comfort item) in hand, couldn't get down the hallway fast enough to his giraffe room, walked right past the little girl screaming bloody murder in the classroom doorway, dropped "tow tow" and "choo choo" on the floor (goodbye comfort items) and never looked back. I of course went in the room, put all his little stuff in his cubby and waited for him to look for me or realize parents were leaving but no. I went over to him, asked him for a hug and kiss (which he lovingly gave, THANK GOD) and I tearfully walked out of the room. He was so ready. So big. Part of my heart broke a little that he didn't care I left, but part of me let out a secret deep breath that he was OK. I would have had a really hard time walking away from him wanting me. He was happy and in that moment that's really all that mattered :)
Luckily, I had my first MOPS meeting of the year after drop off which was a great support to help me deal with my own separation issues, I'm good now. Its hard to leave your "baby" with strangers. I have faith in our decision as is parents and that God has chosen just the right teachers and kids for Pax to be with. Being away from him his first year of life was hard, leaving him for 4 hours two days a week should be a piece of cake but somehow I know I will still miss him and constantly wonder what he is doing. As discussion group leader this year for MOPS I didn't think it was appropriate to have the meeting early to get Pax so it worked out perfectly that Matthew is an awesome dad and was able to surprise him and pick him up from school. Pax loved that daddy was there to get him. They are best buddies and Pax literally adores his daddy. I met them shortly after pick up for lunch and while he didn't have much to say about school - he was exhausted and all smiles. I would say it was a very successful first day!
I sure hope this year at his school he will learn to love Jesus more and more, make some new little friends, learn how to deal with conflict and express feelings through words and learn as much as his little brain can hold. I have peace knowing he is in a great place with people who love him already. I am so proud of my big boy, how brave he was and pray that Monday goes as well as Wednesday did (I'll let you know :))
See "Choo choo"?
Didn't want to let go of "choo choo" to hold my hand
Look a giraffe!
"Pax, stand in front of the giraffe for mommy, your class name is the giraffes" (all blur, he saw the room)
See the screaming child holding onto the door frame? Pax didn't ... I was almost chasing him at this point :)
Straight for the car mat
"Bye Bye school" He refused to wear the backpack that morning when I tried but everyone else at school wore one so at pick up he decided it was cool :)
What a big day my little love! Oh how we love you more than you will ever understand!
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