A Major Milestone!

Today was a big day in our household. My Short Chic started preschool.

She woke me this morning around 7:30 a.m. when she ran into my bedroom crying.

(Before I go on, I feel the need to provide you with a small amount of background information so you can see how relevant the 7:30 a.m. is to me.   I am the mom who lets their child sleep with them. Sleep is very important to me and I would just rather have her comfy in my bed, safe, than get up in the middle of the night. Easy habit to get into...bad habit to break. I decided over my mini-vacation that I would break her and have her sleep in her own bed. Recognizing that ME getting up and taking her back to her bed when she climbs into mine is the KEY. So last night, she came crawling into bed with me at 1:00. I got up, carried her back to bed and thought I would lay down with her until she went back to sleep. Well, I woke up with a start when I realized I was the only person in her bed. She had crawled out and was back in MY bed. So, I drug her back to her bed. Waited till she fell asleep...AGAIN, and went back to my bed. The time: 5:45 a.m. I had been messing with this Short Chic and her bed since 1:00 a.m.

So, at 7:30 when she comes crying into my bedroom I am neither sympathetic or empathetic. I am tired. Cranky. And Sleepy!

It takes a few minutes to turn my Mommy on, but I do and find out she is crying because she is scared to start preschool. She is scared because she thinks the other kids may not like her. Or they will think she is a baby.

All during her bath, I reassure her no one is going to think she is a baby because all the kids will be her age. During breakfast, I tell her a story about a little girl who started preschool who was very scared to leave her Mommy. But her Mommy told her that while it was scary to do new things, it was also exciting because she would make new friends and learn new things.  And when the little girl got to preschool and saw another little girl crying because she was so scared, she was able to comfort the scared girl and made a really good friend.

The Short Chic ate up the story and was so excited to go to preschool because she wanted to make friends with a new little girl. She hoped her name would be Jasmine (who is her favorite Disney Princess)!

At home, before going to preschool.

Each preschooler was allowed to pick out their tote bag at Meet the Teacher night. No surprise The Short Chic picked Orange, her favorite color. I love how it is almost as big as she is! She has to take it to school every day.

We got to preschool and no more tears where shed. She walked in, found her cubicle, hung up her tote bag and immediately started looking for her seat. She kinda forgot I was even there.

Beside her cubicle. 

With her teachers. Notice I am left way behind!

Each preschooler was suppose to find their initial at a desk and color it. The Short Chic was given an escort, but I can tell you all, she already knew what initial was hers.

She was seated with two other little girls and one little boy. The little boy was very scared and when his Grandma left he began to cry. I really thought, "oh no! She is going to start crying!" But she did not.  That is when she told me she was fine and I could leave.  Big gulp to push down the emotions in my own throat!

One the way out of the classroom, I took a moment to look around the room. The teachers had done a great job getting ready for the students.  I did well. My own tears did not crop up till I was safely in my car, driving to work, with the radio up loudly.

  I have no idea how the day went or what she did. She is not the best reporter. I know she had banana's and animal crackers for snack. I know she made a friend, but she does not remember her new friend's name. I know she learned one rule...You do not push. It is rude. And I know she "learned" to play house in the house area.

And so, we reached a new milestone today. We have transitioned into formal learning. And we all survived!