Tuesday, September 15, 2009

First Days, Celebratory Balloons and Feats of Engineering

Yesterday we all survived Bunny's first day of preschool.

We arrived at school and everyone was excited.



Bunny had her Kai Lan backpack and her trusty triceratops Topsy. Kai Lan would hold all of her treasures and Topsy would keep her safe.

We climbed the stairs.



Found her room.



We braved the chaos and went in. She got an apple with her name that she hung on the bulletin board and a name tag so everyone (who could read) would know who she was. We found her cubby and placed Topsy safely inside. Then she explored the room. At first she seemed a bit tentative but she gained confidence. When she found the playdough, she was all set. She stood side by side with two other kids, who I am sure will become her friends. But for now they were ignoring each other, focusing solely on the playdough.



Frink and I looked at each other and figured this was a good a time as any to make our getaway. We told her we were leaving. We gave her a kiss. She nodded and gave us a dismissal wave as if to to say "go away, I'm busy". So we left.

There was coffee in another room so we could have a chance to meet the other parents. Frink went back to work and I stayed talking with some of the other moms. When I finally felt confident enough to leave, I saw on of her teachers on a bathroom run with another student. I asked her how it was going and found out that Bunny was crying. And then I heard it. A heartbreaking, I want my mommy wail. I was devastated. The teacher looked at me and said "we can handle this". I knew she was right so I left.

Never in the history of time had two hours stretched out so slowly. I went grocery shopping, came home, put all the groceries away and there was still 45 minutes left. So I did what any sane mother would do, I got coffee. And then I did what any neurotic mother would do, I drove to the school and waited outside for the next half an hour.

When it was finally time for pick up, I went inside the school. I stood outside the classroom and heard only singing. No crying. That was good news. When the door opened, I saw Bunny sitting on the floor with her classmates. She looked up at me with a huge smile on her face and I knew everything was going to be alright.

That night, Frink, being the good daddy that he is, brought home a special celebratory desert and a balloon for our big girl. She was thrilled. She loves balloons. And cake. But mostly balloons.



Unfortunately for Bunny, there is another member of our family who also loves balloons. So she spent most of last night and part of this morning screaming "No Tabasco!" "Go away Tabasco!" But of course he got to the balloon and ate some of the ribbon. She was angry. She'd had enough.

So she did what any self respecting preschooler would do, she built a wall to keep him out. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Great Wall of Bunny;



Indeed it is a marvel to behold. Notice that it is guarded by Olive the tiger. The tiger is fierce and will certainly scare the cat away. The wall it high. It is made of bricks and chairs. Surely it will keep the cat out.

Except that it probably won't. But I don't have the heart to tell her.

10 comments:

AmazingGreis said...

I'm so glad that you both survived day 1. So glad Bunny enjoyed her day.

XOXO

Christy said...

Congratulations to you all on her first day of preschool. I can't even imagine how hard it was to hear her cry like that. I dread that day myself. And I totally would have been in that parking lot waiting just like you were!

Anonymous said...

That has to be one of the sweetest first day of school stories I've read this year (and, trust me, I've read a LOT of them). I hope the balloon survived Tabasco!

Anonymous said...

It gets easier....doesn't seem like it but it does. There will be a time that she doesn't cry and asks you to leave..that is even harder when they don't want you around. Or you will say goodbye and she will just do the behind the shoulder shove off wave without even looking at you. My oldest just runs off to class without even a goodbye and the other one makes sure I see her put her name on the wall then she is off without even a hug

Issa said...

I'm glad you...I mean Bunny survived the first day. that's the hardest. :)

Anonymous said...

Great stuff. Tell Bunny her cousins are proud of her.

Signed,

Your Cous. ;)

g'ma marsha said...

When I saw the Great Wall I laughed out loud. Better than any clever joke forward. Poor Tabasco...but, he'll figure it out, and, who knows, Bunny might end up learning to share balloons with him. Frink? What happened to Bubs?
love,
g'ma marsha

~Laura said...

If it makes you feel any better, I don't know any mommy who has not done the same thing waiting outside of preschool for up to an hour before it lets out. Myself included! Congrats on your milestone!

kanishk said...

That has to be one of the sweetest first day of school stories. Domain registration india

Molly said...

I just started working in a preschool and I honestly think the separation is harder for parents! and we do a month long separation process