I made it!

As I called Dan to give my report of this morning's drop-off he lovingly reminded me, that "you made it!"

"Made what?"

"Made it through the summer!"

He was right. I hadn't exactly equated the first day of preschool with the last day of summer, but I guess I can. And his statement did remind me of the dread that filled me as had I looked on to this summer from the other end.

We made it.


Monday was Ava's "Meet the Teacher". She has been less than excited for school this year. Which is pretty sad considering that this year is what I would deem necessary as opposed to attending last year, which was just for fun. Most of her hesitation was about having a new classroom and mostly a new teacher. And I must admit that I shared those worries.

In a serendipitous move, my parents made a spur of the moment decision to drive down for a visit on Saturday. And the icing on the cake was that they stayed through Monday and were able to keep Luke during Meet your Teacher. That was a good thing because Ava was pretty nervous and Luke would have hated it.

I stopped her just short of the door to take her picture knowing that the next day Luke would make that task difficult.


I snapped one and then started to adjust my settings and as I did, I could see her little eyes getting bigger and bigger out of the corner of my own. I quickly snapped another, because I could see what was happening and then the tears began to flow.


She quietly asked me again, as big crocodile tears rolled down her cheeks, "Why do I have to have a new class? Are you sure my teacher is nice?"

I hugged her up and reminded her how she was now four and assured her her teacher would be nice. All preschool teachers are nice, right?

Wrong!


Just kidding, she was really nice. Ava got herself together and we went inside for a tour of the room. And to meet Ms. Kim who really does seem very nice.


Last night as she was going to bed she was really really anxious for school the next morning. After a prayer together she went to bed and awoke with not a trace of worry.

She picked out her outfit and got to wear her brand new (and very first pair of) tennis shoes. I took her picture on the porch right before we left.




Luke screamed his loudest as we dropped her off, just as I anticipated ( I think because he's scared he's going to get left too!), but Ava was a champ. She put away her folder, hung up her bag, gave me a hug and kiss, and was on her way.

Her reports of the day are minimal, but positive. She remained happy and a little hyper when she got home and then ornery for her nap, but when she got up to apologized "for talking ugly" to me, on her own accord.


This might be a good year yet!