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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Two Sides of the Window

So I've been stressing for months about my boy starting school, and what for?  NOTHING!
It was so easy I'm still reeling a little.

This morning as he was getting dressed into his uniform he said a couple of times that he didn't want to go to Prep.  And then asked why there weren't any 'school' (uniform) undies!  I explained that Prep was pretty much like kindy, just in a different place.  Then as I was taking photos of him he put on a sad face, but quickly changed it to a smiley one.  Phew!

As an added bonus, I only discovered last night that my husband had taken a PDO (paid day off) today so I felt heaps better as it would be all of us braving this new world together...and I'd have someone else to push the 2 year old up the (very steep) hill.  You see, we live about 100m from the school, but it's all up, or all down, depending on which way you're going, and there are steps at the front gate which of course is very pram un-friendly...so I'm not sure how I'll tackle it on my own tomorrow just yet.

But anyway, we all walked, I didn't have to push the pram, I could arrive looking kind of 'cool', and the Prep classrooms are air-conditioned...bonus number 2!!

We milled around nervously for about 10 minutes until the doors opened and in that time I was feeling a double dose of nervousness because as a teacher I remember exactly how it felt to be on the other side of the windows as well.

Once the doors opened and we all spilled inside, we found where to put everything, there were clear labels everywhere.  And then he spotted his best friend from kindy, and his face immediately lit up.  They sat together, played silly I-can-outdo-you boys games, and looked so at home you'd swear they'd been doing this for a year already (well, they kind of had, at kindy...just like Prep only in a different place!)

We stayed for the prayer, the whole time I had the biggest grin on my face watching my boy doing the actions to "If I Were A Butterfly".  I used to play that very same song to my own class of Year Ones, I'm not saying how many years ago (but it was A LOT).

And I think that's what saved me from tears in the end.  The classroom is like a second home to me.  And he looked like he belonged there.  Time came for goodbyes and he walked over and said, "Bye Mum, bye Dad."  And just like that it was over.  I still feel like I have shots of adrenalin running through my body.  But I am just so relieved that the morning went so well.  Just like a very happy dream.



12 comments:

  1. I'm so happy for you hon, and how proud you must be of your boy! :) OH if only I have the same wonderful experience in a few years time! It all seems so real right now, children I remember as babies are starting school and in another month my baby boy will be 2! Time needs to slow down a little and let me breathe it all in...

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  2. I'm so glad today went so well! I remember what u guys went through last year in kindy - I'm so happy that he got back in the swing of things so quickly! For me, J starting school was traumatic enough and then the logistics of getting him to and from school with 2yo E in tow have been daunting. She used to have at least one tantrum at dropoff and one at pickup - a nightmare. I've found it much easier for her to walk while holding my hand rather than messing with the stroller, but I don't have as far to go as you. Just think of the exercise!!! :-)

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  3. Glad to hear all went well. Doesn't he look like a dish here! So cute. Enjoy the happy transition!!

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  4. Gorgeous! So glad to hear it went so well. x

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  5. So happy that it all went well! He looks SOOOO gorgeous - I love those first day photos!

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  6. Congratulations for surviving a potentially difficult day with such ease. He's gorgeous, by the way!

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  7. Oh, you must be so proud of your "big boy". He did so well!!! And so did you!!! And he looks so cute and excited in his uniform, how could you not be proud?

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  8. Yay! Glad it went well and that you're a happy mom with a happy boy. Your son looks adorable.

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  9. Aww, he looks adorable in his uniform. Congratulations to you all on a very successful first day at school!

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  10. Oh so beautiful. He looks gorgeous in his uniform! Great post! x

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  11. So happy it went well for you all. It was lovely you could all go together for his first morning.. and he looks gorgeous! xxx

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  12. My boy started today. I copped tantrums about socks, shoes, hats, bags, staying at school, going to school, photographs etc. Got there, he told me to leave. He loved his day :). Then I got tantrums about everything after school cos he was so tired.

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