Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Lily's first day of preschool

Lily started preschool on Monday. This is the short version (in pictures) of how the day went down:

Giving Spot a hug and kiss goodbye in the morning...telling him she would be back soon.



Posing with daddy in front of her new school, before going in.



Pointing out her locker.


Telling daddy she was ready to go to school now.
See ya after!






After class the teacher has the students line up against the wall and wait until their name is called to be dismissed.






Lily's name was called, so she ran to mommy to tell her all about her first day at school!




Later that day we celebrated with cupcakes...Lily's favorite. Day one was a HUGE success!



Now, here's the long version. Feel free to skip this part...I just wanted to capture the entire day to look back on.
I had butterflies in my stomache all morning, just thinking of taking my baby girl to school and leaving her there. Lily seemed partly excited/partly disinterested about the whole thing. Jay worked a half day, so he met us at her school for the drop off. She was so thrilled to see him there! We went in and she quickly found her locker and put her belongings inside. Then she excitedly said "I'm ready mom, I'm ready! Where's my teacher!?" Meanwhile, the hallway is rapidly filling up with more kids, and their parents. A few minutes later, in what I would best describe as "partially organized chaos", her teacher arrived and instructed her students to use the bathroom before heading down to class. Lily went into the girls' bathroom and Jay and I just kinda stood out in the hall - not knowing exactly what to do. We weren't needed for anything else, but I didn't feel comfortable leaving yet. I mean, I hadn't really said goodbye. Plus, I was basically freaking out about Lily being in the restroom alone. This is what was going thru my brain: 'was she able to get her underpants AND bloomers off, was she able to lift her dress up enough, and prop herself up on the big toilet? Did she get enough toilet paper, wipe good without leaving drips? Get her clothes back on right? Is she scared that we left already? Does she know her teacher is waiting for her in the hallway or is she scared that she didn't wait for her?'
I stood there, working myself into a little frenzy, for what seemed like an eternity. (it was probably about 5 minutes). What was taking her so long? I looked at Jay and said "I'm goin' in". I walked into the restroom , and there were kids everywhere - I located Lily's little blue shoes under the second stall, and called out her name. She replied "Mommy, I can't get the toilet to flush." I had her unlock the door and I went in to help her. Poor thing, it was an automatic flusher, and it was just waiting for her to step away from the toilet. With that mystery solved, I observed my girl - she had managed on her own. So, she proceeded out to the sinks to wash up, and we were out. Her teacher met us at the door, I got a quick kiss goodbye - and she was off to her first day.
Jay and I made small talk with one of the other moms on our way out to the car. Then I got in my car and the tears just came, one after another in a steady stream...I think I could've cried for an hour, but Jay climbed into the passenger seat and started to gently tease me. So, I got a grip, and we went to kill some time together. We went to lunch, did some shopping (looking, no buying)...the time seemed to drag. (sorry Jay) Finally, it was time to pick her up. So, back to school we went. When she came down the hall to see us, she was ALL smiles. First thing she said was, "Mom, I didn't paint, but I had fun. I love school." She went on to tell us about Circle Time and Book Time and how she made a chain with links, and how her teacher said she couldn't take it home with her - even when she asked her AGAIN.
She said she made new friends. "Anabel is allergic to carrots" she chirped happily. "And we had circle crackers for snack, and there was a carrot on my napkin too, but I didn't eat that." (I'm guessing that Anabel didn't either)...
So, the day was a wonderful success. We went home and made her favorite dinner, spaghetti pie, and cupcakes for dessert. I'm so proud of my big girl...
Today is Day 3, and things are still going wonderfully. Lily truly seems to love school, and her teacher says she is doing great. And, I haven't shed another tear!

25 comments:

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post! Hope she has a wonderful year!

LaLa said...

OH, what a cute little school girl..you did great mom : )

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh..I am so proud of her AND you! So hard to let our little ones loose!

Victoria said...

The first day is so difficult. I just did a very similar post (oh, how our lives are so much the same)! It's hard to beleive our girls are going to school. I'm glad Lily enjoys it!!!!!

Daniella said...

oh no - we are so alike. I have/had the same thoughts when I'm not with J. Like your bathroom thoughts :) It's normal I think - I'm so glad she loved it. It seems to be harder on us than them some times - I didn't know anyone else who made spaghetti pie - my mom makes it for me and I love it.

Pam said...

I'm glad that you made it through the first day. I'm sure Miss Lily made lots of friends. How many boyfriends does she have?

Kim said...

I LOVE the pictures..
Lily is growing up sooo fast..
She is sooo beautiful..
I got tears in my eyes just reading the day...
I would be crying too..
I sooo remember those days..
Have a Great Week..
YEAH LILY!!!!!
Hugs to you both..

Juliette said...

Congratulations on a first great day!

3 Peanuts said...

Aww...sounds like it went REALLY well.

Hugs,
Kim

day by day said...

Oh, Nikki! What a wonderful first day of school for Lily....all so positive! I am so happy for her! I know this school stuff is rough on us Moms!!!

Denise C said...

OH sweet, sweet Nikki!!! I wondered how it all went down...I knew your tears would flow...just like mine did...can't help it...that is what we Mommas do! And it is OK! I loved the total recap of the day...I read every word and pictured the entire scenario in my mind....I could just see you bolting into that bathroom...after you had waiting just as long as you could outside....and bending over to peek under the stalls to find YOUR baby girl's shoes...(I have done that MANY many times...actually still do!!!)....Then, sweet Lily... hearing her Momma voice outside....oh the relief she must have felt knowing... that HER Momma showed up right at the time she didn't know how to flush that "strange" toilet! I know that had to just reaffirm once again...that Lily's Momma will ALWAYS shows up....every time she needs her Momma...and that is such a secure feeling! WAY TO GO MOM!
What a precious day for your sweet girl....sounds like she had such a time...I love that she is concerned about her new friend Annabel and her allergy.....I can guarantee that Lily will make sure NO ONE gives carrots to her new friend!!! (Lily is precious that way...and so very intelligent that she will remind every one...including her teacher...that Anabel is NOT to have carrots!!!) I love it...I am telling you Lily is a carbon copy of Chelsi at this age! I always love to read your writings about her...because it takes me back to that time in our lives...with my prissy girl doing so many of the same things!!!
Oh such precious days!!!
Thanks for sharing your sweet girl!!!
Hugs and love,
Denise

kitchu said...

I started getting teared up reading about you getting teared up!! SO glad she's loving school though. Her smile MELTS my heart.

RamblingMother said...

what a big girl!!

kerri said...

Glad I wasn't the only one crying on the big day, LOL.
Loved this post, congrats to the big girl on her first 3 days of school, the monkeys are so proud of her.
Loved the photos, the one standing by her locker is just beautiful...
Where does time go..

Anonymous said...

What a super post! Lily had such a nice day at school.

It's hard on the Mommas, tho! :)

Unknown said...

What a cutie pie. My son started kindergarten this year and I teach 2 doors down from him. I didn't cry but it was so emotional knowing he started school. I think I was more excitied about the free public school thing. :)

Gee Gee said...

Lily's so grown up now and we're all so proud of her. We've all been through that first day of school with you guys and know the PAIN you went through letting go!!!

Steffie B. said...

well I am sitting here crying tears of joy for you sweet Momma....I know how much she means to you....she will just blossom going to school....she is going to be such a great big sister....i can hardly wait!

Love ya....

Tiffany said...

So glad to hear that you girls did wonderful... It is so hard to drop them off and I felt the same way. I think that first day is the hardest on the moms.

Anonymous said...

Wow! She looks so grown up and CONFIDENT! It is wonderful that she is enjoying school so much!

Football and Fried Rice said...

Those pigtails are what I'm dreaming about!!

She is a precious little preschooler..what signs of good things to come!!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe she has her own locker!

Amie said...

Oh how we all can relate!!!
How sweet are those pics of her?? She looks so excited to be at school. And lockers???This is the bigtime peeps!

Congrats on surviving and so glad she had so much fun!!

Happy Happy Day!

:)
Amie

Anne Marie said...

*sob* What a big girl! I am so proud of her, but I know not 1/100th as proud as you are! And I'm proud of you too -- I can't imagine how hard it was to let her go that first day. What a process this motherhood is, huh?!?

JMCS said...

You did so good Nikki. That had to be the toughest thing ever. It looks like she is doing so well at her school and what a nice school too. Thank you for sharing your princess' first day with us.

hugs,
Jonni