I have so much I want to say about the girls starting school. But I’m too tired and stressed to organize all of my thoughts. So here are some tidbits.
I think one of the most important outcomes of preschool is for kids to be comfortable going to school. We already know Cate and Sam are interested and engaged in all manner of things. I’m confident they’ll learn lots of good stuff. However, I really want them to transition comfortably into *wanting* to go to school.
To that end, we’ve been talking a lot about what happens at school. We’ve also been reading, Blue goes to school, Maisy goes to preschool, and Knuffle Bunny Too.
* * *
Tuesday was “Meet the Teacher(s) Day” at Becker. Sam and Cate were both a little nervous, but were eager to explore the classroom. At the end of the hour, Sam seemed energized and ready for more. But Cate was overwhelmed. She sought out Dad to pick her up, then Mama for a hug, and then burst into tears in the car. I think Cate’s going to need some time to get used to this school business.
* * *
After a summer of going to sleep after sundown, and waking between 8:30 and 9 am, we’re struggling to shift our schedule early enough to get to school on time. We worked hard the last ten days, with occasional success, to get the girls into bed before 8 pm.
This morning, the alarm went off at 7 am. Sam stirred almost immediately. Bill turned off the “air machine”, uncovered the southeast window, and turned on the Beatles’ “Here comes the sun.” Cate woke a few minutes later, and we all got out of bed.
By the time I shepherded girls to the kitchen for breakfast, Bill was returning with a surprise bag of donut holes. I insisted that they eat some eggs first: Cate chose a red “omelette” and Sam asked for “blue plain eggs.” Cate declared, “I love donut holes!”
While the girls were donning their play shoes, Bill and I slammed a variety of foodstuffs into their new lunch bags (Thank you, Auntie Emi!). When I collected exhausted girls later, Cate had eaten her half banana, Sam had eaten her steamed carrots, and both had picked at some hummus. Neither ate the hotdog or Babybel cheese we packed.
As we headed out, I tried to get girls to pause on the porch for a first-day-of-school photo together. Cate accommodated me:
Cate sat where I asked, but once we were in the classroom, I noticed that she had put her shoes on backwards.
I saw Cate consciously school her expression and smile for the camera.
Sam paused momentarily on the step next to Cate, then strode down the front walk. She stopped at the gate to regard the rest of us. Then despite Bill admonishing her to come back to me, Sam let herself out the gate and ran down the sidewalk to the driveway, before returning to my van:
Sam
Sam hiked her lunch bag up onto her shoulder, the way I carry my tote bag.
Cate, resolutely ready to face preschool
* * *
A week ago, while helping my mom purge her office, I came across an old leaflet from the Steineau School that had urged my parents to plan to stay at school *all day* during my brother’s first day of preschool. In keeping with that, I packed a book and a bottle of water, and camped out at Becker this morning. When it was time for me to leave the classroom, I told the girls that I needed to read a book and was headed to the library. I assured Cate and Sam that I would come back during lunch.
I peeked at them repeatedly through the little window in the classroom door, and they seemed calm and engaged. However, at story time, I heard Ms. F announce that she was about to read, Love You Forever, and I went to pieces. Our friend Susan introduced me to that one years ago, and we don’t own it because I cannot read it without crying my eyes out, every time. I fled, and made friends with Ms. T, a very-kind assistant director, who reassured me without making feel even a little bit silly.
After school, Sam told me that she had cried right after I left. Tomorrow, I’ll do a better job of saying goodbye and making sure she recognizes that I’m about to depart. And tonight, it’s time for us to read, The Kissing Hand.
