First Day of School

Today was Noah's first day of 4 year old preschool. He is back at Valley View this year and very excited. He has a couple of the same boys in his class - luckily, his favorite friends, Gustavo and Wesley. Before going to bed last night he laid out his new clothes. (He picked them out all by himself - right down to the red, white, and blue stripped socks.) I was pretty surprised he was not up at 5:30 this morning dressed and ready to go. Once he was up, however, he only had one thing on his mind - getting to school. He and Benjamin started out in their regular crazy routine but every time I reminded him that it was school he would say, "Oh, yeah! Right." And he got back to the task at hand. (I can only hope this plays to my advanage for many days to come!!) I must admit getting my shower, dressing and feeding the three kids, and getting everyone out the door by 8:40AM is quite a workout that early in the morning. We got to school and I wanted to take his picture outside his classroom. He said, "Nooooo, maaaaahhhhmmmmm." Just like a big kid. I guess he thought his friends were going to tease him or something. I should have licked my hand and wet his hair down. Daddy joined us to send him off. Noah, of course, had no reservations. He even forgot to say goodbye to me. Guess that means he will do just fine at school. I should add that I had a hard time sleeping last night. While some might say it was because I was too excited, I might say that it is always a little hard to believe that your child is really as old as that mean calendar says he is. (And I think Noah had a case of the nerves, too, whether or not he admits it. I heard him get up at least three times also.)

We came home and tried to lay Abby down but she was more interested in playing with me and Benj. (I think she may be well into a one nap schedule - which could be good, I suppose. I won't have to feel guilty about not getting right home.) We did some coloring, some building, and watched 'The Number Show.' (Sesame Street.) Benjamin does love the Count and the honkers! All too soon it was time to go back to pick up Noah. I don't have the luxury of daddy meeting us this year so I'll be hauling all three kids in and out - I'm going to enjoy the days of no winter coats (more weight), that is for sure. Now, on Monday and Friday, Noah will be staying all day and we will pick him up at 2:30. On Wednesday, we will pick him up at 11:25 and head straight to his music class at church at 12:15. (I'm wishing I had a DVD player in the car because Abby will certianly have the time to watch her signing videos there as she'll be held captive so she can't just get up and go play somewhere else.)

The most exciting part of the day [for me] was that when I asked about his day, I actually got a response. "We put on soccer shirts. I was 14. The goalie. Gus was number 8. Then we took them off." They read a book about a dog who dug a whole and knocked in a little girl. And, he showed me the painting he did. I asked about songs and he taught me the "wash Your Hands" song. "Now, Mommy, repeat after me." Some kids had raisins but he had crackers for a snack and they prayed "God, bless us every one." He also said he got to sit next to Eric. I wonder if I will get such a full report every day.

He said he was glad that I picked him up because if I had not, "I would have been at school all day and that would have been a very bad day." Do you think that actually meant he was happy to see us? I'm going to think that. Hope you have a great year, Big Kid!!