First Day of School! First Day of School!

Well, the day has been marked on our calendar for a few months now, but it seemed "so far away."  Preschool.  Preschool?! Already!? The calendar is on the fridge, right next to Whitney's birth announcement from April 2009.  Birth announcement right next to "First Day of Preschool" in big red letters on the calendar....its like God was trying to smack me in the face while I stood there refilling my water bottle at the fridge door.

Whitney goes through favorites often.  Last month, Toy Story 2 was on "repeat" in the playroom.  That was the ONLY movie she wanted to watch.  Before that, we had a brief Strawberry Shortcake phase, and prior to that we enjoyed Tinker Bell for a looong time,  Snow White foreverrrrrr, and Cinderella for quite some time.  The very first "favorite" Whitney loved was "Finding Nemo."  She hasnt watched it in a looong time, as princesses and Tinker Bell took over for several months, but somehow, Nemo found his way back into her heart recently.  And it was perfect timing! In the very beginning of the movie, Nemo wakes his daddy with excited, eager shouts of "FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!! Wake up! Wake up, Dad! Its my FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!" 

Oh, Nemo, you have perfect timing.  

We have repeated this line over and over while talking with Whitney about school and what to expect and how exciting it would be.  Whitney has gone to the nursery on Sundays for almost a year without any issues, but thats just one day a week, and Im just a few yards away.  School would be different for both of us, but in a good way.  

All that preparation and talking really paid off this morning, as our brave, happy little girl started her first day of school. :) 

Mac and Gramps met us in the parking lot, and right as we parked, Whitney got an awesome phone call from her Papa (Eric's dad). Whitney was so happy to hear from him, and it meant a lot to both me and Eric. Doesnt Whitney have the best grandparents?!

We walked into her school and were met by the Director who is super sweet and reminds me of my Aunt Gerry's best friend, Carol, who is happy and smiley and ready to give hugs and love the little kids! Just a really friendly, happy, calming face to see first thing in the morning :) Ms. M was hoping for a hug, but Whitney wasnt quite ready to give out the loves just yet. 

We walked to her classroom and Whitney's grip got a littttle bit tighter on my arm.  I was grateful that none of  the other kids were crying (yet), and they all seemed happy and excited to be there.  Whitney and I sat down at a teeny table and her fabulous teacher had some crayons and paper for us to start a project.  

We traced our hands and painted the finger nails and gave them bracelets and then Whitney told me how to spell her name on the bottom of the paper. :) I noticed I was lingering a little bit, even though Whitney had shown no signs of concern or worry.  Was I waiting for her to cry!? Mac, Gramps, and Eric were wise enough to exit the room ahead of me so we didnt all make a mass exodus to the door and upset her.  They waited for me as I hovered a littttttle bit more and left after telling Whitney we would be right back. 

She sweetly said, "Mommy, dont weave me pweas?" and I replied, "Oh honey, we'll be right back. Just like we did the other day, remember? We just left for a little bit and we came right back.  Youre gonna have soo much fun today! I'll see you in a little bit." and she said "okay, mommy."  

And that was it. She was fine.  I was fine. And she had an awesome day!

Eric and I went grocery shopping to pass the time, and we may or may not have driven through her school parking lot when we passed by.  I may or may not have known that her class was scheduled to be on the playground at that time.  We may or may not have made a stealth mission past the playground so I could snap a picture.  That might have happened.  And it might have been ERIC'S idea. :) 

When we picked her up, Whitney was the only kid following directions and sitting still on the carpet. :) Yes, Im bragging :) She ran to us and jumped into my arms, and then ran back to her teachers.  She wasnt trying to rush out the door or saying "get me outta here!!" She was still having fun! She was sweaty and happy and had a cute picture for us to hang on the fridge! We couldnt have been happier!

Eric and I asked her teacher "How did she do?" and Ms. K responded, "She did GREAT! Really, she did AMAZING!"  She seemed truly, truly impressed and happy to have Whitney in her class.  She said she was nice and helpful, and that she really had a great time.  No tears, never upset. Just overall "amazing" :) YEAH, Whitterbug!!!

We hung around for a little bit, and I have to admit, I was grateful we didnt have a crying, scared baby girl waiting for us.  One little girl was almost inconsolable, while the rest of the kids were happy and playful and really just looking for mommy and/or daddy.  I think I wouldve cried if Whitney was tearful or upset at any point today, but since she was so happy and excited, it made it easy to keep a smile on my face. :) 

We finally left school and headed to get Whitney a "big pretzel" at McDonald's.  She loves the big pretzels at Disney World, and was asking for one, and as my Aunt Gerry said, "Talks about school at McD's? Life is good."  So we headed to McD's with our happy preschooler, and I tossed about 29382 questions at her. What did you do today? ("ummm. i went to school!")  Did Ms. K read a book?  ('yes") What was it about? ("umm, i dont 'member.")  Was everyone nice? ("no."...insert tattle-tale about someone trying and trying and trying to take a yellow spy glass away from her....) Did you go down the slide? ("no." ..liar, i have a picture to prove it!)  Did you go potty?  ("no.") What did you have for snack? ("pretzels and water and crackers.")

After McD's, we drove back to school so Daddy could get his car and head on to work. (Isnt he the BEST daddy?! He took all morning off work so he didnt miss her first day of school!)  We pulled in the parking lot and Whitney happily said, "We are back at my schoooool!!!  I wuvvv my school!"  As Daddy got out of the car, Whitney said, "Mommy! Get me outta my seat! I wanna go to school again!!"

SUCCESSS!!!!!!  

Not only did she have a great morning....but she wants to go back!!!! 

We really feel like Whitney is in the right place.  The other kids in her class are almost all talking, some as clearly and as well as Whitney! Its a small enough class with two teachers, so they each get a lot of attention and affection.  Its only 3 hours just two days a week, and she already wants to go back. :) I know all days might not go this smoothly, but we are just thrilled that she is off to such an awesome start! 

Im really grateful for my parents who came along for the adventure, as I never had any grandparents attend my first day of school or first tennis match of the season or first dance/date....so it meant a lot to me to have them there.  And Im so grateful to Papa for taking the time to think of our girl and call to wish her good luck. Even though she is only two, she knows how much he loves he because of days like today.

Im grateful for our family and friends who BLEW UP my phone with texts and emails of encouragement and happy thoughts.  Whitney is so blessed and we are eternally grateful for all the love and support we've felt through the years. :) 

Whitney really seems to like Ms. K  (below), and allegedly gave her "lots of hugs" today, which is sooo not like Whitney! She isnt a very "huggy" kid, typically giving high-fives instead of hugs or cuddles.  Once she really knows someone or if she just instantly likes someone the way she fell in love with my friend Mandy, she will give hugs when you ask, but if she's just met you or isnt quite sure yet, she generally likes high five's best. :) I was sooo glad to hear she hugged her teacher today :) 

I just know she's going to make so many memories and have so much fun in school this year! I cant wait to see all the fun things she makes and hear all the cool things she'll learn! 

The school is less than 5 minutes from our home, and she will be there 9-12pm.  Ill have about 2.5 hours to myself two days a week.  The possibilities are endlesssss! I am hoping to start selling tshirts and skirts before Halloween and for the holidays, and I just registered for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February, so I'll be spending some preschool days on the treadmill preparing for that.  And honestly, Im just excited to grocery shop alone or get some laundry done without any "help"! 

I am loving this day :)