Wednesday, June 20, 2007

A Great Big Grown-Up Girl


Today, my tiny little baby girl went off to her first day of preschool. I dropped her off and the extremely nice teachers took over, making her a name tag and pinning it to her, showing her around, where is your cubby, where is the potty, all that. When she was settled and it was time for me to go, she barely gave me a look and off she ran to play with the kids and the toys, with hardly a thought for her poor bereft mother...

She's so not sentimental about these things. It's probably better this way, no teary scenes, no clinging and crying, but it still wrenches a bit. The first few times I dropped her off with others, at the gym club (once she was familiar enough with it not to freak out) or with friends or family, and she didn't cry or even seem dubious about my leaving, I wondered if she had an attachment disorder or something. But, she is always glad to see me and is a bit clingy at times, so she's probably fine.

At any rate, I did get a little choked up when I left without her. A little sniff, a tear in my eye, and then it was off to the mall for a haircut! Browsing the library for books, unhurried and thoughtful. A bite to eat. A stop at a shoe store advertising Crocs, because I am looking for the kind you can put an orthotic in. (They didn't have them but I did look at the incredibly ugly Z-Coil shoes, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I will end up in them when I start nursing school.)

Then, unthinkably, I ran out of things to do and came home, watched some TV, read a book.

As I sat on the couch, I saw a beautiful goldfinch light on the hummingbird feeder which made me want to blog, so here I am. I didn't get a picture, but you can bet I'll keep trying. :)

4 comments:

Elizabeth said...

As a former pre-school teacher I know that it is so much harder on the parents then the kiddos. I bet she had a blast at school!
Wow, I just took a look at the Z-CoiL shoes. Yikes!! But now I'm curious about how comfortable they are.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the first day of school! That's a very big step for her to take. New friends and new situations. I think it is a testament to your wonderful parenting skills that she is unafraid to explore her new world. Great job mom! A pat on the back is in order. -MarkW in PDX

Anonymous said...

Patti Jr is as cute as ever.....glad things are going well. I guess I am really out of the loop...nursing school? Details please.

Mel said...

I remember the first day of school for both my kids, I cried like a baby. Now I cry like a baby when it is time for their summer vacation. Just kidding! Kinda!