A Gold Star

Harry was so excited about the start of preschool. But the day before launch, we got a cold. All of us. Harry's was maybe the worst. I read and re-read the school manual and indeed, runny noses are a no-no. So, we sat it out. All talk of preschool was nixed. So long perfect attendance record.

So this morning, one week late, we began school. Harry was super enthused to go, explaining that he was wearing his "fast shoes" for the occasion. The question that lingered was how he'd actually do in class. Having watched some close mommy friends struggle deeply with the start of school -- heartbreaking tears from the kids, pleading to go home or just not at all, I was genuinely nervous. There's a reason the schools start the kids slow with shortened hours the first month. It can be a very difficult adjustment.

Good or bad for mom, Harry was one of those kids who barely looked back when I dropped him off at 9 a.m. When I picked him up at 11:30, I went from relief to wonder if we'd be faced with a crying fit because he didn't want to leave. I asked his teacher if everything was smooth and she waved me off "it's like he's been doing it his whole life," she said. Harry smiled, put his toys away (AND the toys of the other kids) then he took my hand and off we went. We made one pit stop in the Thomas the Tank Engine adorned potty to check out the posters...his idea, not mine, and then home we went for a celebratory snack.

As I've tried to assure my friends who are having a rough go of it this week, it won't be long before all the kids are enjoying their preschool freedoms. Nevertheless, I'm hoping they'll be there to hold my hand if Charlotte decides her first week of preschool is not so hot.