Sigh. Deep breath. More deep breaths.
That is how I have felt in the last week. I know it's only 4K but it's a big deal to me. I mean-he goes every day. He has a back pack with a binder. A weekly behavior report. He had to pack 18 glue sticks and 24 pencils. I mean...that's the real deal right?
I built up the first day just like any Mom usually does. And it ended up being traumatic....for me. He fell, and I mean totally wiped out, 30 seconds before he was supposed to line up. He was bleeding from his forehead, under his nose and on his knee. He was screaming. All the other moms and dads were playing paparazzi and blowing kisses. I was sweating through my work clothes (I left early to take him) and screaming "oh no!" in my head. We brought him to line up with the kids but they were all in the classroom. Eli handed his flower to the teacher and I said "he needs a band-aid" and she responded with an upbeat "there is always 1 wipe out on the first day". And then he was gone. The door was closed. He was off. No picture of him walking in. No hug. No kiss. I turned around and stared at Andy with wild eyes and then just cried (probably nerves and hormones taking over) but for real- "That was AWFUL". Andy pointed out that all the other parents were peering in the window.
So I did too.
I couldn't see anything but I could hear the teacher saying each kiddos name and telling them where to put their backpack. I stayed until I heard her say "Eli, you are cubby #11". Deep breath. Walk to the car and dial my mom and sister. They would understand. Text my friends who have been there-they would get it.
Good thing I took pictures the night before. Eli had taken a bath and I asked him to put on his 1st day of school outfit and take pictures by the front door. Mom's intuition I guess.
He was excited to go to school but he wasn't obsessed with his backpack or interested in what would really happen there. He only knew what he had read in books and what his little mind created and luckily that didn't cause many nerves. I thought he'd look better when I picked him up but he actually looked worse-like he had gotten beat up. His face was puffy and swollen and his forehead abrasion was red with a huge bloody scab under his nose. Poor kiddo.
Here is Eli with his teacher after his first day. I stood far back so you can't see his battle wounds.
And here he is (with me attempting to edit out the "beat up face" look)
Tonight we had an open house. I finally got to step into the classroom and snoop look around.
I saw the cubby where he hangs his backpack and Eli showed us the bathroom and the books and and and. It was just what a mom needs. I got to speak with the teacher who told us that Eli was very bright. In school he is reserved, quiet but getting better from the first day. He chooses to do his work at the table where only 2 can sit (this school encourages kids to find the best type of learning-and that means no 1 spot they have to sit) but follows all the instructions well. She didn't seem to have any concerns about him. I got to see the raccoon that he made (and I'm quite proud of it-look at how well that tail was cut. I wouldn't be a mom if I didn't brag that it was the best cut tail. PLUS----he actually drew a face. He is not much into drawing people or faces or anything. I was surprised).
We have given him his wings and off he goes.
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| (Andy said "Only the dietitian's kid eats the salad before the pizza-thus the salad dressing is all over his face) |
I'm so excited for this munchkin. More adventures to come.
