Yesterday marked Theo’s first day of Pre-Kindergarten. His official entre into the world of public schools. A place I want him to be. A place I know he will excel.
He was really excited to get there and meet his teacher, Mrs. Gallagher. He brought her a shiny, red apple. When they met, he shook her hand, said “hi, Ms. Gallagher, I have a special surprise for you!” and he gave her the apple. It was too sweet.
He explored the room and sat down to color with the paper and markers set out for the kids to get right into an activity. He drew a picture, and wrote his name. He got a bit antsy and the teacher’s assistant tried to get him back in his seat. He came to me a couple times, but managed to get back with the kids. They played with legos on the mat for a bit, and he liked that. He came to me when he had to go to the bathroom, which was good. We explored the bathroom and I explained to him that this will be where he goes everyday with Mrs. Gallagher, or Ms. Garcia. He was happy because the toilets are nice and little and the sinks and soap dispensers are perfect kiddo size. Anyhow, they closed out the hour with a getting-to-know-each-other-song.
And that was that. The first day in the books.
Friday was the second day, and Theo was there for two hours. With me, and all the other parents, hanging out in the media room next door. He did great. We peeked in every so often and he always seemed engaged in what was going on. They had lunch together. Theo happily reported, “we had pizza!”.
He mentioned, in his sad voice, that next week I will be dropping him off. I think he will be fine and the transition will be much easier than last year. Famous last words, right? Really, though. It’s only a few hours each day and I think he will quickly realize how much fun stuff he is doing and learning, and mommy always comes back.
The morning of his first day I asked him what he wanted to wear for his first day. Off the top of his head, he said, “my Cleveland shirt… you know, the one I was wearing that day we went to Harmony Playground.” See, he rarely wears that shirt. I was shocked. He chose it out of the blue. Daddy was so proud.
So proud of my 4-year old-to-be (in two days!).