First Day of Preschool

Tuesday was Finn's first day of preschool at First Baptist Church of Alexandria. Of course the day didn't quite match up to the day I had pictured in my mind. There were no family photos posing with our little preschooler. He didn't skip happily into his classroom to join his friends only to turn back around and wave saying "I love you mama!" Not so much. As Mimi put it, "don't worry, you only have about 21 more first days of school left." Thank goodness, because this wasn't one for the books. Then again, he is only 2, and that seems so young to be sending him off to school . . . to fend for himself in the great big cruel world. But send him we did. Here's how our day went down . . .

The day began with him refusing everything I gave him for breakfast, followed by shrieks & howls because he wasn't getting to watch Curious George, more fighting and general disagreement on getting dressed and brushing teeth, cue major meltdown because we had to go walk Lily. A brief photo op (not interested in the least in marking this momentous occasion) and we are finally out the door and on our way. I literally had to sit on him to get him buckled in the car seat. We were both stressed and sweating. When I finally got in, I turned around and asked him what was wrong and he said, "I'm very sad because I'm a little scared." Good grief Charlie Brown, I almost threw in the towel right then and there and thought, maybe we can try preschool next year. But I didn't.

I sound like I am being overly dramatic and maybe I am. But the morning was comical. In Finn's defense, we had been talking about this day for months and I'm sure he was just a little overwhelmed. I was too, in a way. Thank goodness I had a MOPS meeting right after I dropped him off because I think had I gotten in the car and turned around and seen an empty car seat, I might have thrown a Finn-fit too, but don't get me wrong, I am definitely looking forward to a few hours on my own.

I love this picture because everything he is feeling

is written all over his little face...excitement mixed with a little fear.

So grown up

He looks like he is so deep in thought

So, here we are throwing a fit in the car. I'm really glad that no one reported me to Child Protective Services because I was sitting on him trying to get him buckled in. The things we do to (and for) our children . . .

And this is right before I dropped him off . . .attaching himself to my leg.

"Noooooo, mommy please don't go. I want to go with youuuuuuu."

Spreading his "joy" to others in the classroom

AND . . .

He was sound asleep when I returned to pick him up. Exhausted from having so much fun. No blackout curtains, sound machine or story time required.

He didn't say much about his day, only that it was fun and that he might go back another time. Mission accomplished!