First Day of School

We made it - Abbie is in school today. The three of us got ready together at home; ate breakfast (we had bagels and strawberries because that's what the school girl wanted.) Last minute panic because we couldn't find baby Snowy Joey to take to school with us; almost had to take Lesty instead but then Daddy found bsj (he was on the kitchen counter.)

We piled in the car; Abbie recited nursery rhymes to herself, ("...with pretty maids all in a row") while Phil and I discussed the news of the day (or what we'd have for dinner, or something) and then we arrived at school.

Abbie remembered from yesterday during our visit that she needs to remove her shoes and put on her slippers. Hanging up her sweater was a bit of a challenge because at home we have hooks and school has hangers. But we got the sweater hung up, the lunch put away, Baby Snowy Joey in with the napping supplies and then there was nothing left but .... good-bye. Mommy hugged Abbie. Daddy hugged Abbie. Teacher Katie took Abbie's hand and then the tears started. One more hug from Daddy; one more hug from Mommy, a tissue to wipe the tears and then Mommy and Daddy left. There were only a few more tears in the car on the way to work. (We assume Abbie's tears stopped pretty soon too.)

So now our baby is in school.

Oh, forgot to mention that when the teacher asked what she would like to be called in school Abbie replied, "Abigail." And there you go.

[Pick-up from school]

Mommy picked Abbie up from school the first day. There was a note on the classroom door indicating the students and teachers had gone across the street to the park. When Mommy went across the street she could see that Abbie was sitting on the ground next to a teacher away from the other students. Some parents might think, "uh-oh, what did my child do to get in trouble?" Not this parent. When Abbie turned around Mommy could see her red-rimmed eyes and the tears started. While hugging Mommy Abbie said, "I had a bit of a tough day." The teacher confirmed it - there were several bouts of tears throughout the day.

Abbie and Mommy gathered up Abbie's things and then headed to the bus stop. We had to ride two buses home and on the second bus we saw Tess's Mommy and sat next to her. On the way home we stopped at Tess's house with her Mommy and got to see Jasmine and Becca and big Maija and little Maiya and Eamon and Tess! What a treat!