First Day of the Rest of Her Life

Last spring I was stressed out trying to figure out where to send Brooklynn for preschool.  I really wanted her to go as a 3 year-old, since she has limited structure and kid interactions staying home with me.  At the time she was a needy girl who had trouble leaving my side in public.  She rarely initiated conversations with other kids, and I was worried, even in tears at one point - thinking I'd done her a disservice by staying home with her.  (As moms, I think we all questions our decisions and their impacts on our kids)

Fast forward to today, September 6th, and we have a new kid!  Over the past few months she has been independent and outgoing!  She always initiates conversations with other kids wherever we go.  She has excelled at her dance class (without mom and dad) and now runs off to play with her sister or other kids around, so it was no surprise that she was ecstatic about starting school and meeting new friends.  Last Thursday we went to the open house and met her teacher, Mrs. Baker, and oriented ourselves with the school.

After talking about her excitement all weekend, she didn't disappoint this morning.  She's ready to go:

Even Chandler is excited for her sissy  (for now......)

Taking the walk

Putting her backpack in her own cubby

Day 1 was a success!  The only one to cry was Chandler - she didn't know what to do without her sister.  I felt the same way, because it's never been just the two of us, but now she'll get some quality mama time.  

Brooklynn had a great time and told us her favorite part was "learning" (just what a teacher's kid should say, right?)

This experience has been emotional, but not in the way I thought.  I figured I'd be going through the "my baby is growing up too fast" syndrome, but I just felt so happy for her - happy she gets to participate in a great experience to prepare her to be a kid - to learn how to interact with kids, a teacher, and follow a routine with rules.  And I was proud she was so independent (and wasn't the kid across the hall melting down leaving his parents).  Brooklynn, you're an amazing girl and we can't wait to see what the future holds for you!