Okay, so we didn't start with everyone else...but that's okay! We got the call yesterday that Charley was accepted at Seashore Early Childhood Academy here on the Island, and that he'll be a part of the Tuesday & Thursday class. This is very exciting, because one of Charley's friends (our neighbor's daughter) is in the class too! Needless to say, Mommy was very excited...until reality hit this morning. My baby isn't really a baby anymore. This is his first day of school - and he'll be going to school for a very long time. No more 24/7 Mommy. This is it!
I actually did pretty well - no real tears while getting ready. And that's another thing...I thought getting ready would be so amazing - like when I would have my first days of school. I started labeling everything, getting all his belongings organized, picking out clothes...and then I just got sad. It really was surreal. Then I started getting scatterbrained and anxious, hoping everything was in order. God forbid I forget something. Because, you know, the school is *so* far away. Like, maybe a whole mile! Everything had to be perfect! Then I realized that I was ruining the experience for myself and probably Mike. Charley didn't really care. So I managed to pull it together enough to get us all ready and out the door on time. Here are some pics chronicling the morning:
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| Breakfast of champions! (Minus the oatmeal) |
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| We LOVE drinking from a straw! We do it so that we get claps and cheers from Mommy and Daddy! |
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| New lunch bag, curtesy of Mimi! We're packed and ready to go! |
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| Well, we can't go before "Customs" has a chance to inspect everything... |
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| We've discovered our new things! It's like Christmas! |
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| Gotta have fresh breath for the ladies! |
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| Morning ritual that includes watching the BBC with Daddy. |
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| Capturing Mommy before she starts crying and looking crazy. |
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| Such a ham! |
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| That's better. He really was a Daddy's Boy this morning! |
It didn't occur to me to take a pic of him in the carseat or in front of his school, or even in his classroom. As I mentioned, it was all I could do to get out the door. Oh well...
Anyway, we got to school, and Charley immediately recognized his friend! She came over and said, "Hi, Chawy!" (super cute!!), and he started talking back! That made me feel so much better! I managed to sneak out to finalize paperwork, but he did eventually happen to see me and started wailing, and then...so did I. In front of everyone. Ugh.
I went straight to the gym and worked it all out. I knew some people there and when they asked how Charley was, I was able to tell them that it was his first day of school without crying. Victory! My friend told me to call right away to check on him. I actually said to her, "I didn't know I could do that!" How did that not occur to me??!!
Needless to say, I ran to the car and called. I actually was able to speak with one of his teachers (he has 2 and an aide in his room). Ms. Deanna said that Charley stopped crying about the time I left, and is doing great!
So, here I am, feeling a little lost, wondering what to do around here. I had all these grand plans about everything I was going to accomplish today, and all I can do is sit here. Amazing.
Well, I've certainly been long-winded today - my apologies. Time to get going and enjoy the peace and quiet while I can! I can't wait to see my baby this afternoon!
