Yesterday was Ashlyn's first day of 4 year old Pre-Kindergarten! She is attending the same school she went to last year, but this year she will go a full day rather than half a day, 5 days a week. She was so excited to start back. She has been ready for weeks. She bounced out of bed on her own and was as bright and cheerful as could be. Ashlyn is a "morning person" anyway (the opposite of Chris and me) but she was even more energetic and beaming than usual. She couldn't wait to see the teachers and her old friends, and meet her new classmates. Ashlyn looked adorable in her navy school-girl skirt and polo-type striped shirt with Mary Jane shoes. Later in the day she commented to me, "I felt so cute today in my outfit." She said it with a little grin on her face, head tilted, and her shoulders slightly raise. At that moment I could sense from her what a perfect day she had.
This day, for me, was bittersweet. I had mixed feelings about my: "craft-making, party-planning, house-cleaning, grocery-shopping, errand-running and much more" sidekick, who kept the summer interesting and challenging, going back to school. She has been by my side practically all day everyday for the past 3 months wanting to help me with whatever task I was working on or wanting me to assist her with her "projects". I'm going to miss having her as my partner-in-crime. At the same time though, I loved seeing her so excited to go to school, eager to learn and happy to see her friends. Avery, too, already misses her big sister. On most morning this summer Ashlyn always went with me into Avery's room to get her out of her crib. Each morning Ashlyn greeted Avery with a big smile, a perky "Good Morning Avery!" and gave Avery her sippy cup of milk. Avery's face always lit up with a big grin and chuckle as she bounced up and down ready to start the day with her big sister. But yesterday as I walked into Avery's bedroom alone, she greeted me with a smile and giggle and looking out her door asked, "Where DeDe?" (her name for Ashlyn). I explained that Ashlyn started back to school and she just said, "Huh?" not quite understanding why all of a sudden Ashlyn was back at school. She missed her all day.
When I picked Ashlyn up from school she had so much to say about her first day of school. She loved every second of it! She has a wonderful teacher who Ashlyn had as a teacher during camp last summer. Ashlyn was just as excited to get up and go to school this morning as she was yesterday on the first day of school.
This day, for me, was bittersweet. I had mixed feelings about my: "craft-making, party-planning, house-cleaning, grocery-shopping, errand-running and much more" sidekick, who kept the summer interesting and challenging, going back to school. She has been by my side practically all day everyday for the past 3 months wanting to help me with whatever task I was working on or wanting me to assist her with her "projects". I'm going to miss having her as my partner-in-crime. At the same time though, I loved seeing her so excited to go to school, eager to learn and happy to see her friends. Avery, too, already misses her big sister. On most morning this summer Ashlyn always went with me into Avery's room to get her out of her crib. Each morning Ashlyn greeted Avery with a big smile, a perky "Good Morning Avery!" and gave Avery her sippy cup of milk. Avery's face always lit up with a big grin and chuckle as she bounced up and down ready to start the day with her big sister. But yesterday as I walked into Avery's bedroom alone, she greeted me with a smile and giggle and looking out her door asked, "Where DeDe?" (her name for Ashlyn). I explained that Ashlyn started back to school and she just said, "Huh?" not quite understanding why all of a sudden Ashlyn was back at school. She missed her all day.
When I picked Ashlyn up from school she had so much to say about her first day of school. She loved every second of it! She has a wonderful teacher who Ashlyn had as a teacher during camp last summer. Ashlyn was just as excited to get up and go to school this morning as she was yesterday on the first day of school.
Holding her lunchbox and the sign that goes in the car windshield for car pool line
