Kids Thrived & Mama Survived

I have dreaded this day since Big Sissy was born--well at least since I realized she was bright and capable of learning. What happened to the days when girls didn't need an education? They were content to just follow their mamas around and learn good practical skills like sewing and cooking and shucking corn? OK. My daughter wouldn't learn any of those things from me. And the truth of the matter is that I loved (and still love school). I thought I could teach her at home, and if you've read my blog for any length of time you know the angst that I have endured in trying to make this decision. But the decision has been made. Big Sissy started Kindergarten today.

She really hasn't ever been nervous. She has had some questions along the way. For example, when we first told her she would probably be riding the bus she wanted to know the story of her Aunt Regina, who was killed in a bus accident about 25 years ago. That was the only context she had for bus riding. Then when we started talking about eating lunch in the cafeteria, she wanted to know how she would find her teacher and not get lost, etc. But once she gathered all of the appropriate information, she was fine. I, on the other hand, have not been fine. I have been panicked. I don't know what it is, but I have been so scared to let her go. God has been gracious along the way in sending me "love notes" to let me know that He is taking care of her. One is a sweet lady at our church who works playground duty there and has let me know what a nice environment it is. Another is that we found out this week that a little girl that we know from our MOPS group will be in Big Sissy's class.

So today was the day. I interviewed her last night, but for some reason I can't post it here. She said that she's most looking forward to eating in the cafeteria. We all got up bright and early to get ready. Daddy even worked from home this morning so he could be here.

The bus was scheduled to arrive at 8:28. We sat on the porch and finally saw it pull around the curve at 8:40. I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing, but I managed to get a quick picture before my eyes glazed over with tears and all I saw was a big blur of yellow pulling away with my precious little girl inside.

But as fate chance God would have it, I didn't have time to wallow in my sorrow because not just one of my children went to school for the first time today but TWO!!! Little Sissy started preschool too! As soon as the bus pulled away, we booked it out of here to get Little Sissy to her school. I wasn't as sad about that for some reason. I think it's because (1) it's only two mornings a week, (2) she is going to miss her Sissy so much and needs something to keep her busy, (3) we got to stay for an hour with her today, (4) she's very social and I know she'll be fine.

I couldn't have been happier to walk in and find a whole room full of the activities that I rarely never let my kids do because they're too messy. I value the idea behind them, though--you know, creativity, sensory experience, yadda yadda yadda. Just try picking up "normal" messes of 3 little ones, and you'll understand. It was such a treat for her to play with real play dough, play with sand with no bugs in it, AND paint with real paint. None of this paint with water stuff at preschool. No, siree! She even had to wash her hands when she was done.

She cried for a few minutes when we left, which surprised me, but I checked in before we left and she was fine.

I always ask at the end of the day (especially a monumental day like this one) what each family member's highs and lows were for that day. Big Sissy said her high was playing with Sarah (our MOPS friend) and she couldn't think of a single low. Little Sissy said her high was snack time at school, and her low was having to sit in a different seat in the van so that the preschool workers could buckle her in easier. A good day, I would say, and a good start to a new chapter in our lives. Now I better go to bed and get ready to do it all again tomorrow.