Tuesday, September 2, 2008

The First Day of Preschool

We survived!!

Though I'd been a ball of anxiety all weekend, that quickly gave way to nausea as the family car headed to school this beautiful Tuesday morning.

The school had recommended a number of tips to ensure that the first "drop-off" goes well, including a good breakfast, a organized, unrushed, peaceful morning, and happy talk about school on the ride in. I did all of this.

Of greatest importance, O and I picked out her clothes the night before to ensure the one battle I can always count on was avoided. And everything went great.

Except the nausea part.

My husband and I (with little man in tow) walked her into her classroom, helped her locate her cubby and stow away her overpriced Pottery Barn Kids backpack (feel free to make fun of that little extravagance....I refuse to apologize), and reintroduced her to her teacher.

Leave it to the professionals to have a well-laid out table of vibrant Play-doh and cookie cutters (something NO kid can resist) to distract from the disappearing parents. Our own little O barely deigned us with a goodbye kiss as she scooted into her seat and went about the business of sculpting.

Don't get sick. Don't get sick.....It'll frighten the children (and probably resemble the Play-D0h).

I slowly found my way to the exit, clutching my stomach and trying not to notice the sprinkle of kids who would not be fooled by the Play Doh.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. I thought I'd be fighting back tears, not tummy spasms.

Making it to the car was a small miracle, and making it the three hours without picking up the phone was a big one.

Oh, and she did great; can't wait to go back....and "earned" the Star Student of the Day recognition.

And I earned a cocktail for tonight, with a twist of tums.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Already an over-achiever! OMG I am so proud of all of you. Brendan starts next Wednesday. He will be the youngest in his class (yikes!). I have already cried over it. Please send positive vibes our way.

Julie Weaver said...

We start tomorrow! His backpack is the LL Bean brown bear. (Not so into the polka-dots). He's been sleeping with it, and has made a card for his teacher. After I drop him off, I'm heading to a coffee house with a friend! Woo Hoo! Three down, one to go!!!

Margaret said...

Connor started today too. He held back tears and didn't want me to leave him, but ended up doing really well. I thought about him the entire 4 hours he was at school.

He picked out a black L.L. Bean backpack with a spider on it. It's about the same size as him.

Currently enjoying my wine.