Twas The Night Before Preschool

Twas the night before preschool and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring. Well, actually, there was a three year old who did not want to go to sleep because that is his usual MO. Add to that the excitement of the first day or preschool and forget it! Early bedtime is out the window.

Wait. This is not how the poem was supposed to go. Ah, screw it.

Anyway, the night before preschool, Hubby and I were snuggling with J in his bed talking about how fun preschool was going to be.

J: I'm a little scared, mama.

My sweet little guy!  This is something new for him.  He is going to be a little nervous and a little scared.  Isn't everyone when faced with a new experience?

After more cuddles and reassurance that preschool is going to be totally awesome, we finally get him to sleep.

Walking back into my room, I pause to look into the mirror.  Any tears yet? No.  Am I going to be bawling tomorrow?  I don't think so but I am not for certain. Will J shed some tears? I sure hope not. Don't know if my heart could take it.

Morning arrives and I take some time to get up before the kids to have a few moments to collect myself.  I take another look in the mirror and give myself a pep talk. This is a good thing!  Preschool is going to help him grow as a little person. He is going to learn new things and make new friends. This is a happy day!

After waking J and Baby L (22 mo), we head downstairs for breakfast.  I make his favorite, cinnamon rolls and bananas. (Okay I didn't MAKE the bananas but I did unpeel and hand it to him. Semantics, people.)

Now, J is a talker. When I say talker, I mean he talks ALL THE TIME.  The only time he is quiet is when he sleeps. Scratch that. He even talks in his sleep. But this morning, he is uncharacteristically quiet.

I imagine he is envisioning what preschool will be like.  He must be thinking of all of the things he will do today. J is probably trying to wrap his mind around what going to school really means and what it will be like for him.

I get the kids dressed, grab my coffee and we all head to the car. J has his new cool space robot backpack with his name on it. We are all smiles as we get buckled in the car.

(On the way there) J: Mama, I'm a little nervous.

Me: It's okay to be nervous. It's your first day of school. But you are going to have so much fun! You are going to play games, read stories, make crafts, have snacks, play outside and make new friends. It is going to be fun!

(Catching my enthusiasm) J: Yeah! It's going to be awesome!

Upon arriving at preschool, I work on getting both boys out of the car, making sure J has his backpack.

(As we walk towards the school) Me: J, it's your first day of preschool! This is going to be so fun! You are going to have a great day today!

In my head, I am telling myself to be cool.  Just be cool self.  This is a happy day. A great day!

Before we know it, we are at J's classroom. I help him take off his backpack and put it in the bin in the hallway. I give him a big hug.

(Hugging J) Me: I love you, J! Have a great day! I'll see you at lunchtime.

J looks at me, then turns to look at his teacher. She gives him a hug and says: Why don't you go inside and pick out a toy you'd like to play with?

BAM! *Trail of dust.* And like that, he is gone and forgot all about me.

Now, lest you think there were no tears, let's not forget about Baby L!  He DID NOT like leaving big brother. Baby L wanted to stay and play too.  He cried and cried.  In fact, Baby L did not stop wailing until we rolled into the library parking lot with a promise to play with the trains in the play area.

We did it! I did it! No tears for J and no tears for mama.  We were both a little nervous and a little scared but it went swimmingly.

The rest of the morning flew by.  I got to spent some one-on-one time with sweet Baby L which was new for us but so very special. And before I knew it, it was time to go pick up J.

While waiting in the pick-up line, I wondered how his day went.  I hoped J had a great first day.

I see him walk out of the front doors armed with a smile and the "snack box". (A little 'Welcome to Preschool', your the snack wench for the next day!) J runs over and jumps into to my outstretched arms. He says: Mommy!

Me: Did you have a good day?

J: It was so so fun!

Me: What did you do?

J: We had snacks, played outside, made a craft. We did everything!

(Heart swelling) Me: I am so glad, sweetie! I am so glad you had a great day!

So folks, at the end of our first day, everyone was happy. J had a great first day and nobody shed any tears. (Well okay, Baby L DID cry some but I meant no tears for Mommy and J.)

Here's hoping the rest of the year is as awesome!