Preschool

Another first for us this week. Maxwell and Ella started preschool. They are just going on Monday mornings and we are all excited. I wasn't worried about Ella. Even when she's a little quiet, she does well around new people. Maxwell...not so much. Our crazy, silly boy gets shy and clings to me. But then he's fine.

The kids picked out their own clothes (are you sure you want to wear that Ella?) and packed backpacks with something special from home. They got ready quickly and then Maxwell started telling me about how much fun we were going to have. "Because you'll be there too Mom. Right? Mom?"

I told him I'd be there for a few mintues and then just kept getting ready. The drop off went pretty much how I expected. Maxwell cried and held on to my leg tight while Ella skipped off to play babies and kitchen. I knew that he would cry. But I also was pretty sure he would stop immediatly after I left. So I left fast. So fast that as I was trying to make an exit without my heart breaking for Maxwell and kind of forgot to even check on Ella. I looked over my shoulder and said, "Goodbye Ella, I love you," as I kept walking. I don't even know if she heard me but I caught a glimpse of her changing the babies clothes and I knew she was fine.

I got in my car and drove away. No tears, but a little anxious. I sent out a few texts to get reassuring words. And five mintues later my friend Amy told me that she saw them when she dropped her daughter off and they were both happy fine. It's not that it wasn't emotional for me, it's just that this is the only time that they are away from me. So it's good for them. Good for me. Four hours a week is a lot less traumatic than going from nothing to full time.

When I picked them up I got big smiles, they said they loved it, then it was Ella's turn to cry. "I don't want to go!!!" She was devastated that some of the other kids got to stay longer. When I explained that their Mommy's and Daddy's were at work she looked at me scornfully and said, "You never go to work! Why can't you go to work too?!" Wow. Thanks Ella. Then she was a mess for the rest of the day, pouting that she had to leave her new school. But at least they weren't crying at the same time.

We celebrated with yogurt after and we are all ready for them to go again next Monday. Another milestone, another first, and life goes on.