Home of the Four Trans

*Sigh*

At last.

My love, I could not have been prouder.

There were butterflies in my stomach the night before as I made a list of things to pack and do for your first day at school. I wanted everything to be perfect for you.

Every day, you stand by the garage door to watch your brother leave for school wishing you could do the same. I know this because on some days, you’d cry and point at the door, thrusting your body and up and down to convince me to take you. On other days, you’re content with me telling you that we have things of our own to do. You are a curious and social boy, and you just want to have a turn at it.

It is now your turn, and I didn’t want to disappoint.

So, I made your snack of blueberries and homemade whipped cream, Kashii Sunshine cereal, and milk. I also made sure to pack you a cup, straw, napkin, spoon, and bowl. I put it into an insulated lunchbox covered with cars, trucks, and emergency vehicles. The smile that spread across your face when helping me carry out the door to the car was priceless; you were so proud of yourself.

I dressed you in a big boy outfit with blue Converses, jeans, a shirt with a car on it (your favorite!), and even a belt.

I asked you if you were ready for school, and of course, you nodded yes.

Off we went.

Once we got there, before unloading you, I hung the camera around me neck and the diaper bag on my shoulder. As I lifted you out of the car, you wanted to be sure that the lunchbox was in your hand. You are so helpful.

We met the director who took us to your cubby where I stored away your lunch box.

We joined the other children in the gym as we waited for circle time to begin. You were just so curious of your environment and all the new (little) people. But, before you could even decide where to start…

Riiiiing. It was circle time.

I put you in one of the many colorful plastic booster seats around the circle time carpet. You tried to climb out and back into my arms. As I tried to seat you back down, the teacher began to sing and you soon forgot what you were fighting for. You love music. There was a camel, elephant, caterpillar, and gorilla that came out to welcome you and the rest of the children to the class. Your eyes lit up with each new song, and you even participated in the hand motions. Then, it was time to meet the rest of the class. The teacher slowly pulled out picture cards of each student in your class, and we all sang their names and the card was handed to that child. You knew your name and your picture, but were too shy to take it from the teacher’s hand. But, you had no trouble following directions. When the teacher told all of you to put down your cards on the floor in front of you, you did.

Then, it was time for your studies!

You made artwork by stamping while singing (sensorial).

You learned to ask “What is it?” by placing your two hands up by the side of your head and shrugging your shoulders. You made airplane, dinosaur, and car sounds while playing with the toys (speech).

You sang, “The Wheels on the Bus,” and made hand/body motions to each part of the song. Your favorite was putting your left index finger to your lips and shushing when singing, “…the parents on the bus go, shush, shush, shush…” You successfully pointed out all the parts on the bus (cognitive).

You filled rubber fish with water and squeezed it out into a cup. You scooped water up with a cup and poured it back out (fine motor).

You crawled up stairs, rode in a car, and soared in an airplane swing (gross motor).

I was so proud of you. I could not help kissing and hugging you after every accomplishment because I was so proud (you don’t know how to be embarrassed of this, yet). You’ve come a long way, Baby, and seeing you respond to instruction and mimicking the teachers  the way you did made me so happy.

The teachers all commented on what a great first day you had. Of course, they all loved you. I mean, who doesn’t, right?

Even when I had to leave you in the care of a teacher for a parent discussion session (my first time ever leaving you in the care of someone else that was not family!), you didn’t mind. I saw you watch me as I left the gym area, but just as quickly you returned to reading your book. I think it was harder on me to leave you, than for you to be left by me. The teacher said you did really well until they started to change your soaking wet diaper and pants. Then, you only wanted Mommy. It’s OK, you’re allowed to want Mommy.

We reunited and all was well, again. We even had a picture taken of ‘our’ first day at school together.

I’m so proud of you. You never fail to amaze me.

Love,

Mama

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at 1:47 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.