First Days

Charlotte's first day of preschool was Monday.  She was late getting up...Ruby & I managed grocery shopping before Charlotte woke up.  Adam slept in and we all tagged along as a family to see Charlotte off.

Charlotte chose her outfit:  Pink.  Pink bike shorts.  Pink butterfly t-shirt.  I convinced her that tennis shoes were not an option.  She would be wearing shoes with socks, that tied.  There were 6 pairs of shoes for her to try out and pick out (thanks Zappos).  She didn't like any of them.  So, mom choose. 

Charlotte happily walked into her classroom, said hello to her teachers, hung up her backpack and lunch sack, without even a glance back over her shoulder at mom & dad, then scooted off to play. 

Our preschooler came home with...homework.  That she was THRILLED to pull out of her backpack and get started working on RIGHT AWAY.  I was stressed out.  Because Ruby wanted a turn with the glue stick and the pencil and the scissors...

Charlotte is excited about learning.  REALLY EXCITED!  She didn't wind down from her day until 9:30 last night. 

Ruby's first day was today.  She needed pockets, she insisted.  It took me 10 minutes to convince her to put on a pull-up - crying that they "hurt" her.  "Hurt" is her safety word, I think.  If anything sad or a bit overwhelming happens she hollers "hurt me" - which usually results in a band-aid.  Ruby only wants to wear panties.  And she tee-tee'd in the potty at school, and was completely dry when she got home.  But, you know, I'm so afraid of an accident.  Nobody wants to have the "wet pants" at school...and nobody wants to be the mom of the kid that peed her pants.

We were a little late, and I planned it that way this time, really.  I wanted all the kids to be there and be settled because I knew, once Ruby walked in...things would no longer be "settled".  And just as I predicted:  Ruby did not go willingly.  I will never get the image of Ruby's head thrown back, screaming, kicking and flailing as the teacher tries to hold and comfort her out of my head.  We walked to Charlotte to class...still heard Ruby screaming and then high-tailed it out of there.  

I cried walking to the car.  Adam gave me a hug, then we parted ways.  I rushed home.  Adam rushed to work.  We have a lot to do.  Adam is being transferred to Atlanta.  It's time to sell the house.  I'll move with the girls, once we sell, which could take a while, which I'm torn about.  I LOVE our life here.  I LOVE Charlotte & Ruby's preschool.  I love the house, I love our friends and our park and our church and our community.  It's going to be rough going for a while.   But Atlanta.  It will be nice to head back to the big city, where our families and old friends are all spread out and only 45 traffic lights away...in any given direction. 

I think we'll price it high.  I'm going to drag my feet about pulling Charlotte, especially, out of school and starting her all over again somewhere else.  When I picked Charlotte up from school today?  She pulled me inside the classroom, the teachers raved about her sweetness and enthusiasm, they aren't having any problems understanding her (articulation/speech) or getting her to follow directions! (why am I the only one she won't listen to?!).  Charlotte is surrounded by love and structure and learning and letters...It is an amazing program. 

Ruby was playing when I peeked in to pick her up.  Then she was crying.  She cried during every transition and did NOT want to hold the rope handle crossing the street to the playground and DEMANDED that the teacher's helper hold her...a lot.  But she enjoyed music!  And she made a "super "R" cape" but Charlotte put it on and paraded around the church lawn with friends. 

Oh, Columbus.  I will miss you.