So Thomas starts preschool today. It’s a momentous occasion. He’s leaving behind friends that he has known his whole life. He’s leaving behind a comfortable, safe and happy existence and moving on into something new and unknown. I asked him how he felt about starting school and he said “I’m going to miss [my friend] Aidan, but I’m going to have fun.”
This is partly a tribute to the amount of work Liz and I have put into preparing Thomas for this transition. He does not handle change well. He craves structure and routine. He hates to have his expectations go unmet. So yes, that he is ready and aware of the change was no small feat. It’s also a tribute to his desire to know as much as he possible can about the world. He is ready and eager to learn. So, he’s excited and has been looking forward to today.
So that’s how he’s doing. Me? Well, it is sad to see him leave his past behind. It has been bittersweet to take stock in his life. To see how far he’s come. To compare this not-so-little boy, to the scrawny floppy headed baby we brought home four and half years ago. We’ve done those comparisons, and said the usual things.
“I can’t believe he’s so big.”
“I can’t believe we’re here already.”
“I can’t believe he’s growing up so fast.”
So I asked Thomas how he felt about that, about growing up. He said, “I think it’s really gonna be exciting and amazing.”
We are here. He is that big. He is growing up. And it really is exciting and amazing.
10 Comments
Awwww. Sweetness.
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props to y’all for hanging in there. it’s tough!
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Oh he’s so ready for pre-school. I hope he has a great day.
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No small feat, indeed. Here’s a little “Hip, hip, hooray!” to the two of you for being such great parents.
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Kudos you guys. I’m excited and amazed by him all the time :) Happy first day to T!
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On Finn’s first pre school day I had a bit of a cry (he had not been in care at all til then) but whilst bittersweet, there is so much to love about each new age, the questions an comments they start to bring home – new delights. Enjoy it all! Also, well done on preparing him so thoroughly – that can be a tough gig!
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I have four, my youngest is four as well. It is exciting and amazing, regardless, it’s the last-time of everything for me (parenting wise), so I can’t help but feel a sad and nostalgic with each mile stone passed. Still I plaster a smile on my face and bear it. Barely!
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Yaye, Thomas! Hope you had a great first day of school!
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This is what Grandmother heard; he played with dinosaurs, listened to 2 stories, he napped (really), no one cried, all the kids were nice to him, he played outside on the slides, and there was a hole in one of the dinos and he poured sand it in and it came out its bottom. He also added that his friends Aiden and Jack, from daycare, have missed him and he is going to make a goodbye present for Aidan. He had a very good day.
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I hope he had a great first day! And wow am I impressed that he’s so eager!
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