Today is His Day

I love preschool! Today I sent Gabriel off to his very first day. He's been yelling every time we drive by the preschool this summer, "that's my preschool!!!" Today he finally got to go. His wait has been excruciating, because you see, he's been waiting a whole year for today to be his day! I remember the tears so many times last year when he didn't get to go to preschool. It broke my heart every time, but there was no way I was paying for two kids to be in preschool at the same time, one is enough. A few days last year I got to sub, which I loved, and he got the pleasure of coming with me to class. And oh did he have a good time, he got to paint as much as he wanted, sit in circle time, eat snack & run around outside.

Well, now today is his day! He went to sleep last night probably dreaming of this day. He woke up and wanted to leave right away! Well, he doesn't go to preschool until 1:00, which was forever away! Finally after we had lunch I couldn't hold him back anymore. So we got all ourselves together to begin the picture process. I have never seen a boy more willing to do pictures! I only wanted a couple & he happily cooperated. So, in the car we go, super early! We stopped by the latte stand across the street from preschool & got a little sweet treat. After all, today is a special day!

Finally we get to go inside. This kid is a pro! He finds his spot on the carpet, then he calls his friend over, but the spot next to him was taken by one of his siblings, so he moved so he could sit by his friend. Crisscross applesauce this kid knows what's up! Dominic takes a seat on the rug, even Abigail picks a spot. And circle time begins. Today, Gabriel is a preschooler.

As I sit watching my little man, I laugh at my know it all, Dominic. He has no problem remembering the rules of the classroom. He, as well, is a pro. I peek on the other side of my boys & their friends & there is my little princess sitting... Trying to sing the songs as well, clapping with everybody, fully engaged. I think she thinks today is her day. Miss LeAlyce even points to Abigail to say her name. She stops, surprised and says, "umm..." We laugh at the shock on her face, oh the princess had her moment, as she was introduced as Abi, Gabe's little sister.

Wow! How far we have come in a year. How different I feel as I'm sending Gabriel off to his first day of preschool. How different he is from his brother. Both were very excited, but oddly enough, I think Gabe was more ready than Dominic. I didn't have to tell him to be quiet, or sit still, or anything, not even once. I remember as I sat in the very same room a year ago I thought, oh, Dominic, you have a long way to go. How are  you ever going to be able to sit still & pay attention? But he did, I remember being shocked at what a different class I walked in on just a couple weeks later. Dominic was sitting on the rug, listening, looking so grown up. And this year, he sat, Mr Know it All.

Then there is Abigail. Last year she did not sit on the carpet. No, she ran right for the little house & played away. Was a loud little muffin, pretty distracting as well! And this year, there she sits, convinced that this is where she belongs. After all, I have heard her arguing with her brother all summer long that this was, "my preschool!" Today when we left she was not a happy little girl. I think this will be her year of tears. Her year of wanting to go so bad. Her longest year of her poor life! My big girl wants to be an even bigger girl. The dream that the grass is always greener on the other side.

And there is Gabriel. Today is his day. He has been waiting for so long. I am so glad that he is sitting in his little heaven right now. And he gets to paint today! If you woke up thinking today was just another day, you do not know Gabriel! He is so cute & sweet. He is a silly, friendly little guy. He was greeted today by the familiar faces of his long coveted teachers & two of his little friends. He had no problem making sure his friends knew he was there, that they should sit by him. He loved saying hi to all his new friends in his class he has yet to build a history with. He was a happy boy. I don't think a start could shine brighter than his face. Yes, today is his day!