First Day of School!

Benjamin started preschool today. I signed him up awhile ago and then totally started doubting my decision. I just kept thinking that he was still so little and once he starts school, he's in school for many years. On the other hand, he really wants to play with friends on a daily basis and always asks me "where are we going today." I followed through on the original decision, and he is in a co-op preschool two days a week for two hours each day.

I had been prepping him all summer for preschool to start and all the amazing things he was going to get to do. I went to parent training last week, and we have talked about the great things they have at preschool~ his cubbie, green nametag, a carpentry center with real tools, wooden blocks, easels with paint always available, playdough, snack, a great playground, etc. Just in case he did miss us, we put his little "arf, arf" in his backpack and told him he could go visit him in his cubbie for a minute. Fast forward to this morning, he was clingy for so long to go to nursery that Stephen and I totally expected the worst. Instead, I got the "goodbye mom-see you later" treatment after circle time was over. All of the other mothers were staying with their children, and I really wanted to stay for the first day which was encouraged by the teacher. I very sadly left because I felt like he was bidding me farewell on his terms and didn't want him to think that there was a problem and that I needed to stay. I got home to a very empty house and jumped into doing housework so I could be occupied until it was time to get him again. I greeted a very happy Benjamin on the playground when school was over. He loved his first day and told me all about it. He can even sing the new songs that he just learned. I heard all about snack (banana chips and raisins), the firetrucks, washing hands while singing ABC song, the scooper on the playground, and the slide on the hill. After all my debating and worrying, the verdict is in: Benjamin loved his first day.