Little Man and preschool

Little Man's first day of pre-kindergarten is today. This morning Baby Girl and I got ready, drove to school, and walked Little Man to his first day of "big boy" school.

He was very excited.

He talked about it all weekend, practicing his teacher's name (it's hard to pronounce, with lots of consonants, it's Greek) and talked about his new classroom. The Husband and I talked a lot about it, too. We discussed his new routine, his teacher, and about the other little boys in his room - just by chance it's an all boys room! He was ready to go!

This morning, however, he was not so sure. He stayed up late last night, it just seemed he couldn't sleep, and 30 minutes before we had to leave I was having a hard time waking him up. Little Man is slow to get going in the morning, he likes to take his time with his breakfast and "chocky" milk, he likes to watch cartoons in his pjs, and maybe "later on" he'll get dressed. There wasn't any time for that this morning, unfortunately. Still, we made it on time, but Little Man didn't want me to leave.

Talk about breaking a momma's heart. He clung to my leg, when I pulled on arm off he wrapped the other around me. I was holding Baby Girl so I was pretty much ineffective at prying him off of me and I had to leave it to the teacher. Sad. I brought my camera hoping to take a picture of him in his new classroom, but I knew better than to linger. As soon as the teacher removed Little Man from my legs I said a quick goodbye and skedaddled out of there. Little Man was fussing, but not all out crying.

I know he'll be okay, he really does like school.

Like every momma says, today is bittersweet. My firstborn is in school! I am so excited for him, I can't wait to see what adventures await him, what friends he will make, what kind of little school boy he will become. A great big new door has opened for him, and for The Husband and I as parents. There will be three days a week where Little Man growing and learning, but he will be away from me. I'm a bit sad about this. Gone are the carefree days of babyhood and toddlerhood. When people tell you it goes by fast, they mean it! I am appreciating Baby Girl's time at home a little more today. I am even going to welcome those days when I'm stuck at home with two children, ready to pull my hair out because they're fighting and fussing, and nothing suits them, because at least they'll be home with me. I am beginning to realize how fleeting this time is. I'm sad to say I've taken Little Man's time at home for granted. He's my first, I just didn't know.

Last night he wanted me to linger at bedtime, he wanted some extra snuggles. I obliged. I literally felt the passage of time, him growing away from me, ever so slowly, but moving away still. I hugged him harder. When, at 10:00, he quietly crept downstairs to sleep in our bed, I let him. I snuggled up to my boy and held him, wrapped my body around his and mentally poured all my love into him. I hope he felt it. I hope it filled him up so he can feel safe and secure and enjoy and thrive this new chapter of his life.

I love you Little Man.