I Had Fun at School Today

Too soon from my last post?
Maybe.
But I was inspired to blog today.

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012.

Today I should have been heading to school for a professional development day.  A day of meetings and LOTS of sitting and information thrown at you.  A day of stress and being overwhelmed with all of the little things that needed to be done before open house.  A day of rush, choas, and exhaustion.  And most importantly, a day without my kids. 

Instead, I was home.

From the time Mal woke up this morning she was excited.  She ate breakfast and got dressed in front of the TV (yes, I do admit to the televsion being on in the morning.  She is not a morning person--just like me).  Once the TV was off, she was ready to go.  We took pictures on our front porch and in the yard.  Jay was able to come with us on her first day so he drove.  On the way over to her school I could hear her in the backseat talking to Clay.

"Clay, do you know where I'm going to go today?  I get to go to school.  Did you hear me Clay?  I said I was going to school today."  His response, "Ba-ba-ba-ba" (his latest word phrase obsession).

"Mom, do you have my backpack?  Make sure not to squish it."  When I told my mother this she said, "She is so much like you."

As soon as we could see her school she was directing Jay where to park.  He chose a spot in front of the school and as we parked my nerves were rattling (actually I think they started when I got into the car at home).  As we were getting out of the car we noticed her cousins and aunt had just arrived as well.  She jumped/ran to them and asked Ben to look at her princess backpack.  A few camera shots outside and she walked in.  No fear. No tears.  No complaints.  She was ready and willing to go to school.  As we left her playing, I smiled knowing that she was going to love it just as much as I do. 

Came back home and put the boy to bed for his morning nap.  And in no particular order:  Cleaned the bathroom, straightened my hair without distractions, shaved my legs (this may seem like TMI but those that have kids know this is big), put away two loads of laundry.  And after Clay got up:  Gave him a snack, prepped and started a crockpot, started the dishwasher with the help of Clay (taught him how to start the dishwasher--too bad he now knows how to stop it too), and had some alone time with our little guy.  Who knew I could get so much done in 3 hours?

When I went to pick up Mal, she was peeking through the door with a HUGE smile on her face.  I could hear her telling the girl next to her, that Clay was her brother.  "Do you see that boy out there?  He's my brother, Clayton."  Hopping out of the school she started to share with me her day.

1.  There are only two girls in my class Mommy and she's my friend (couldn't quite make out the name).
2.  No spitting is a rule at school (due to the boy spitting on the playground).
3.  I know how to play tag.  We played tag outside.
4.  My teacher read a book about rainbows and a bunny.
5.  I played in the kitchen with my new friend.
6.  There are lots of boys in my class.
7.  Did Clay miss me?
8.  I had fun at school today.

LOVE it.  After our car ride home, we heading to grab lunch for us and Daddy at Subway.  Took it to Daddy's office and shared a quick lunch with him to talk about school.  As we were walking up to the office, she kept tagging my butt.  "Tag, you're it Mommy."

Processing all of this moved me to blog.  I kinda thought I wouldn't be a crier.  What is two 1/2 school days compared to 5 full days in daycare?  NOTHING.  Seriously, both Mal and I did not shed a tear.  And honestly, thinking about it now does make me tear up a bit.  Not in the sense that I missed her because she was in school, but in the sense that IF I was at PD today, I would have missed out on this day.  My daughter's first day of preschool.  The before, after.  ALL of it.  That makes me sad.  And makes me cry.  But I was there.  So I am happy.  Content that I was home.  Lucky we can do this financially and lucky I chose this decision.