Today was Anna's first day of preschool.
(I have pictures, but they'll have to wait because our main computer is still waaaay down in Chico, CA being repaired.)
Her teachers asked me if I thought she'd have a hard time starting school. They wanted to know if she would cry, if she would cling, if she would pine.
I said I didn't think so.
What I wasn't prepared for was this:
Miss Anna: Mom, do you have to walk me to the door?
Me: Well, it's your first day. I want to get a picture. I promise, you can walk by yourself tomorrow.
***
Me: (At the door) Bye, Anna! I love you!
Miss Anna: (Without even a glance over her shoulder) See ya, Mom.
The teacher looked at me. I looked at the teacher. She threw up her hands. "All right then!"
I stood outside the door for another moment, for sentimental reasons, and then returned slowly to the car.
Sophie cried all the way home about not being able to go to school with Anna.
"In a few years, honey," I said. "Soon enough...."
And then I spent a blissful, totally quiet afternoon lying in bed, reading my friend's manuscript, writing a query letter for my WiP while Sophie napped.
But the best part of the story is: Anna was ready. And she had a fantastic afternoon in preschool.
"I even wrote hundreds of letters," she told me afterwards. "Because I'm going to learn to write everything."
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She's writing everything. You are writing some super somethings. How very cool. My youngest started preschool last week.
ReplyDeleteAnd she'll go for the next three days. What on earth will I do with my free time? HA!
~ Wendy
Sounds like you've got a daughter after your own heart! Thanks for sharing, and good luck to your daughter and you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story! Isn't it nice to know that she went to preschool so easily and is ready to learn? This brought back a lot of memories-- not of own preschoolers and kindergarteners readiness, but of them screaming and running after me as I try to escape.
ReplyDeleteAnna sounds a wonderfully independent little person. Places to be, people to see!
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to have one of those first day moments. =) I'm glad it went so well!
ReplyDeleteAnna reminds me of my youngest. By the time she went off to preschool, she'd been going there with me to drop off and pick up her two sisters for two years in a row.
We got out of the car the first morning, and before I realized what was happening, she'd already taken off across the parking lot. I was like, "Wait..." and she yelled, "Bye Mom!" over her shoulder and kept on running.
So that's the picture I took with my camera - the back of her, dress flowing in the wind, and ponytail flying, as she took off to start the first day of school!
Thanks, everyone! Your comments made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteWendy, I KNOW what you mean. I stared at my computer screen for awhile before I could actually get productive because I wasn't used to having anything but snatches of time in which to be productive. :) Have a terrific conference, by the way, if you read this!!
Shallee, Ha ha. Maybe so. I guess time will tell. I really enjoyed your blog post on the Jane Austen book, btw. What an amazing find that was. I'm excited to follow your blog!
Karen, It is soo tough on parents when kids don't want to be left. My oldest had a tough time going to school some days back in the Junior K days. One time I put her on the bus kicking and screaming and had to walk away and let the bus drive off with her clawing at the window. My friends had to hold on to me so I didn't run after the bus! It was horrible!!
zz - Yes, she definitely is independent! :) Quite the character. She could be a picture book heroine, for sure. :)
Jessica, You make me laugh! It must be a third-child thing. When they see those bigger kids going off to school they are so ready. Hey, my almost-two-year-old already thinks she's ready, for goodness sake! :)
Amy
I think they are always more ready than we are. Thanks for sharing such a sweet day with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story to tell her when she's older. It kind of leaves you stunned when they're that ready, huh?
ReplyDeleteI gave you an award and shout out over at my blog. Come see!
Sweet story, Amy. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI still remember being called from my class to go try to calm down my little sister who wasn't ready for first grade. It was rough for everyone involved, so I'm happy for you that Anna is excited. My kids have loved school so far.
ReplyDeleteHow darling! :)
ReplyDeleteso adorable!
ReplyDelete