first day

Today was the big day!

I couldn't sleep last night, I had so many concerns swirling through my head--I thought first day of school jitters would be gone once I wasn't teaching anymore, but they were much worse when thinking about sending my child off to school!

Rachel, on the other hand, took it all in stride, but she was so excited all morning. I put her new outfit on her, and the skirt was too big. She started crying and said, "I can't go to school!" I told her Mommy would fix it, and I quickly sewed a couple of darts in the back so it would fit her (guess I should've tried it on her first, huh?) All morning she kept asking me, "Is it time? Is it time?" And when it finally was, she ran around the house singing, "It's time! It's time! It's time!"

As we drove down the road she said, "Are we almost there?" And when she saw the school she squealed with glee, "Schooooooooool!" and clapped her hands.

She couldn't wait to get inside. I helped her find her hook again and taught her how to hang up her backpack on it. She walked in, and didn't look back. I went out in the hall for a minute to put her supplies out there where they wanted you to drop them off, and she thought I was leaving. She gave me a wave and turned to play! I went back in and insisted on a hug and kiss, and then stood outside and peeked in on her a bit. She first went for the bongo drums, which she played with at Meet the Teacher night, and then for the magnetic letters, which she also played with that night. She was happy as can be, as I stood out in the hall with tears in my eyes (but I didn't cry!)

I came home and didn't know what to do with myself, alone in my house! That NEVER happens! I got a few things done, but mostly looked at the clock and wondered what she was doing.

Pick up wasn't at all what I expected and hoped for, though, as I had to have a talk with the teacher already. Suffice it to say that Rachel has a looooooong way to go and a lot to learn about being in a classroom, and I'm very thankful that she's learning those lessons now and not in kindergarten.

Hopefully she'll be just as excited to go back next week.