Before I tell you how her day was, I'll tell you how this past weekend was preparing for preschool. First of all, the stack of paperwork to fill out is incredible. It felt like college admissions all over again. I have a file folder for it all. I mean we are talking about a two year old here! Then it's all the stuff you must have in order to go to preschool.
1. A backpack. A cool one that has Thomas the Train on it!
2. And a lunch pack. This is the first time that I have had to pack her lunch. It's really not that big of deal, I already pack one for Joe and I. I wonder if she looks at other kids lunches and wishes she was eating what they are having!
3. Everything must have her name on it. So I spent an hour when Samantha was at Gramma's house putting her name on all her jackets. I found some iron on fabric and printed her name on the fabric with my computer printer. Then cut it out and iron it on. It works great!
4. Emergency kit and clothing. I had to pack a bag of emergency snacks, phone numbers, and was even asked to include a family photo and a note for Samantha. This is in case of a lock down emergency or something of the sort. Ya, got a weird feeling with this one!
And I think she's set!
The Friday before her first day, we went to visit her new class together. I wanted to give her a chance to meet her new teacher and get to know the classroom a bit before her first full day. She loved it. At one point she pointed her chubby little hand at me and said, "You go now mama!" I laughed and cried a little at the same time.
Of course new school means new school clothes. I couldn't help myself! We went shopping on the way home and picked up a few new things.
On her first day Samantha did great! She cried a little after Daddy dropped her off, but Miss Terri said it didn't last long and she was engaged in activity all day. She even napped, of course after having her back rubbed by her teacher. The day was way harder on Mom & Dad. We worried - I even called half way through the day to check in on her. When I went to pick her up she was sitting in circle time listening to a story. The moment she saw me, she jumped up and ran towards me like she had been waiting for me to walk through that door all day. Of course I was in tears. At the end of the day, she was exhausted and so were we. I had a very difficult time letting my baby go. I fretted, worried, cried, and dramatized it...yep I'm admitting I was a basket case.
On day two, Samantha was excited to go back to school (that's a good sign) and I was resolved to be a stronger mama! I didn't call and tried not to worry so much. Once again, I received a glowing report from her teachers. They all said she was adjusting well. This time when I went to pick her up it wasn't so dramatic. She was already becoming comfortable and secure at her new school.
At the end of day three Samantha was back to her normal, happy, precocious self. In the car on the way home she told me, "I make Miss Terri happy, mama!" and "I play with nice kids today, mama!" Oh the joy of hearing that my daughter had a good day!
I think Samantha is going to rock preschool!
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