First Day Jitters.

Well we did it! Milo made it through his first day of school. He carried his superman backpack, carefully packed with his shark folder, a snack and a picture he colored for his teacher. Milo is nothing if not thoughtful. He did beautifully with the drop off and pick up, placing his backpack on the hook, the shark folder in the slot and the snack in his cubby. It was only a half day but he handled everything like a like a pro. We arrived a bit early and met some new friends. And once his teacher opened the door we searched the room for his seat with his name on it. Milo was very quick to point out all the other kids whose names start with an "M" just like his. And when his teacher asked him to have a seat and start coloring, Milo did just that.

I stood there with Mark for a minute. I felt trapped, anxiety pouring through my body. I was about to walk out the door, leave my child here amongst essentially strangers. My wee little man not knowing a single kid, no friends in sight and without his lifelong beloved friend Floppy the cat. (Big school has a rule about NO tiger striped cats at school) I felt nervous for him. I knelt down beside him and gave him a kiss and reminded him to be good and listen and make all kinds of new friends. He nodded vaguely at me and just as calm as can be said "Bye Mom" and resumed coloring.

That 8 foot walk to the door was difficult and I knew that those 8 steps were the first 8 steps towards my little boy growing up. For all my talk over these last 4 years of Milo going to "school" it really was a daycare. I used the term "school" so that this day, this first day of real school would be an easier transition for us all. So that the term school would be a familiar term, a friendly term, something not so scary. And I suppose it worked for Milo. He found school familiar, friendly and not so scary. I found it terrifying. I hear from all the Moms and Dads that it goes by fast, savor it now. And to anyone and everyone who has given me that advice, believe me I have been relishing every moment, and yet... and yet... it is still flying by. Wasn't it just last week that I held my little boy in my arms, born one month early, weighing only 5 lbs? This brave, confident and loving little boy who sits calmly coloring on his first day of school? I suppose it is and I couldn't be happier.

Backpack on. Shoes Tied. Let's go to Big School!

Milo, Mom and Dad before we left for school.
Note that Finn was already at "little school"
We didn't just leave him out of the picture.

Coloring on first day of school at his desk
moments after wishing me well and hoping
that I would leave.