A Big Day and More Firsts

Today was Evan's last first day of preschool.

Since we go in the afternoon I purposefully said no to play dates, or any outing so that we could have a stress free. low key morning. When you woke up the first words out of your mouth were:

"I am not going to school today Mommy", sour look on your face..Mommy thinking..Here we go again.... and then every thirty minutes I would here it again.

"I am really not going to school today Mommy".

We arrived at school in the parking lot (after much time and coaxing), you took your new shoes off (stall tactic), seat belt still securely fastened and once again;

"I am not going to school today".

All the while I might add Mommy is keeping her cool, and encouraging..followed by more encouragement..and lots of smiles, and hoping and praying that it goes better than before, better than expected. I had faith in you as you have been turning some major corners and have become so much more independent, social (with people he doesn't know), brave,and much more confident. I knew you could do it!

Somehow I convinced you to get out of the truck.

We walked up to the school. You were slowly making your way towards the door, and with one last attempt to try to get your unheard point across you said:

"I am not going to school today".

I keep walking, you quickly catch up, and I pull the let's distract you by asking lots of interesting questions about what the day might be like, ya know getting you talking and hopefully excited about whats to come.

Ahhh..It worked.. You did go to school today!

Mommy did not stay for circle time, and after about ten minutes of hellos, introductions, a smooth good bye transition took place as my big boy went to his carpet circle holding his teachers hand with one hand, and waving good-bye to mom and brother with the other.

This is a HUGE ..HUGE..deal. Lots of people don't get it..they think oh yeah first day..it will get better. Let me just say it hasn't..UNTIL NOW!

With huge tears in my eyes I walked out. You did it. You really did it. No fighting..No Screaming..No Tears..No pulling Mommy's leg off, but instead an unsure but accepting bye.

I am so super proud of you, and am so excited about your new school year. You are making new friends, you participated in class, responded to others when they talked to you, and ended your day saying good-bye to your teachers in English and Spanish!

Tonight you wanted to know when you get to go back to school. You talked about it at dinner, told us what you did, and then told us "I super super like school.". When I put you to bed and again told you how proud I am of you and how brave you were you just grinned at Mommy. A big grin. I can tell you are proud of YOU too. You should be!

As I walked out of your room you told me

"Adios Amigo".