ABCs of my life

The day has finally arrived when Stacey goes to school.  And how did I deal with it?

Staceys school supplies

We excitedly prepared and bought everything on the list provided by the school.  I can’t believe we were buying school supplies to be used by our child in school.  It didn’t sink in that much apart for my random bursts of “I think I’m going to cry” (and not because of the prices of the items).  Still didn’t sink in much when I was labelling each crayon/oil pastel/markers (yes, individually labelled).  Not even when we placed all the things inside her bags, because I even had time to take pictures.  It was only when I finally prepared her pillow, extra clothes, and slippers did it finally hit me that I am going to entrust my child for 2 whole hours to another person other than a relative.  Then I cried.  Hopefully at school I don’t have to deal with tears anymore.

My little schoolgirl ready to go

Today was her first day and she woke up really early.  She was giddy about going to school.  Probably also because her cousin Ate Moira will be with us when we bring her to school.  Thank God we were running late (although we woke up early, I had to feed, bathe, and clothe 2 kids plus myself. oh joy!) so we only had time for quick pictures and no more crying from me.

As we entered The Growing Place.  I could already hear wailing kids asking for their mommies/ daddies.  I was afraid Stacey would be one of them.  But my brave girl followed her teacher without hesitation.  I was even able to take a quick picture of her inside the class.  And when she saw us from the side when she went out to play in the tree house with her classmates, she waved at us so proudly and shouted “Ate Moira, Mommy, I’m sliding with my classmates!”.

When they were dismissed from class, Teacher Rachel told me that Stacey was so good because she followed directions, read three books, cried only once when she wanted to play instead of eat, and finished her snack first.  Indeed, my little girl likes the new environment and is adjusting just fine.

Mommy and Stacey

This afternoon, before putting Stacey to sleep, I asked her for the nth time if she enjoyed school.  I was starting to feel a bit lonely that she didn’t seem to look for me at all.  Although it is great that we didn’t have to go through the bawling, still there is a tugging feeling inside me that made me sad because she adjusted immediately. I’m a crazy mom.  So, I went again “Stacey, did you have fun in school today?”  She looked up to me from the bed and said “Yes mom.” I was about to turn back and nurse Essa when she said, “I missed you inside the school Mommy” and that was all that I needed.

Stacey may be a little schoolgirl now, but she will always come home to me as my baby.