Clair's first week is in the books!

Clair's first week of school has been less eventful than I thought, but not as smooth as I'd hoped.

Like most families, I suppose, we've been on a roller coaster of emotions.

Day 2 was Lester's early day at work, so he had to take Clair to school, since I had to wait for Michelle to arrive.


During summer camp, when I asked Lester how Clair did at drop-off, he lied spared my feelings by saying she did "OK," or "just fine." But on Clair's second day of preK -- the first time we left her there alone -- he couldn't even sugar coat it: "Oh, she was so hurt," he said, sadly. "She cried and cried. It was terrible."

Day 2 was a half-day, so I left work to pick her up and bring her home. When I got to her, she was all smiles, and her teacher said she only cried at drop-off and not a tear after that. "She did great today," she said. And on the car ride home, Clair even told me what she did at school! "My teacher reed a book. I see my friends [not that she actually has any.] I eat some snaaaack."
It was great! I don't think Cary and Dean have ever re-capped their day for me. Ever.

On Clair's day 3, Lester dropped her off again because I had to be in Annapolis at 9 a.m. with the boys (long story). His report: "No tears. Minimal clinging. I was pleasantly surprised."

But I was still worried because Day 3 was the first ever "nap in the class" day, which seemed to me to be a potentially high-octane event, just ripe for meltdowns and nervousness. So after I dropped the boys off at home, I went to her school and peeked in on her in the class. Imagine my surprise - and happiness -- when I walked in on this:

That's her teacher, Miss Michelle. I can't tell you how good it felt for me to walk in unannounced and see her teacher sitting there with her hand on my baby girl, comforting her as she slept. Or pretended to sleep.

The closer I got to Clair, the more I could see her eyes flitting about under her eyelids. So I don't think she was actually asleep here. But she was trying! They said it was naptime, so my girl was doing her best to take a nap! Brava, Clair!

I was soooo relieved. I still got weepy seeing her in there trying so hard to do what the teachers wanted her to do. What a good girl! And also, what a poor baby, having to sleep in class and not in her own little bed in her own little room. Ugh. My little baby girl! But I felt like maybe we were on the right path. The pre-school director hugged me on the way out the door. I'm such a sap!

Then this morning, I dropped her off again and guess what? TEARS galore. Ugh!

So I suppose the roller coaster is still in full force, and likely will be for awhile, as next week is another crazy week, getting the boys acclimated to school. She'll even have to get picked up by Miss Arlene -- the new babysitter -- who she has met twice (and thrown her shade both times) and I know that is going to freak her out!

Bottom line: I will be really glad when we are in a solid, predictable routine again. For her sake, and for mine.

Two cute/funny things from this week to note:

In Clair's classroom, the teachers put labels in the cubbies so they'll know who's full-time, who's half-day, who's three days a week, etc. Except for some reason, instead of writing "full-time" on Clair's label, they accidentally wrote "fun time." This tickled me to no end. Clair Davis: Fun times, man. Fun. Times. Hahahaha!

And Cary and Dean - who are so confused as to why Clair's in school and they're not -- got handwritten cards from their new teacher in the mail! They were SO excited!

Isn't that cute? I'm looking forward to them starting school next week. And dreading the craziness that next week is sure to be.

Hello, roller coaster. Please go away soon.

Turns out there were tears after all...

So after Clair's triumphant entry into the world of being dropped off and left behind by working parents, the dust has settled and the verdict is: Fair to middlin.'

Michelle picked the kids up at noon and the teacher (also named Miss Michelle, but not the same Miss Michelle that the boys had last year. Keep up, people.) said that Clair cried a few times, but only in short stints. Our Michelle told us that when Clair saw her waiting outside the school, she took off running, tears and all, crying, "Meeeeee-Meeeeee!"

When I asked the kids later how they all did, Dean said, "Mommy, Clairzee did good! She only cried THREE times!"

:-(

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I actually cried about that many times myself yesterday -- and I honestly would not have predicted that leaving her at school would make me weepy.  So I suppose she and I were both a little emotional yesterday. My baby girl and me: simpatico.

Funny story: When I asked Clair what she did at summer camp, she smiled and said in a sing-song voice, "I played with my toys. I ate snack. I played with my friennnnnds."

(Dean, from the peanut gallery, "She mostly just played with me, Mommy." Thank you, Town Crier.)

But when Lester came home a little bit later and asked her the same question, she said, "I crying! I crying two times, Daddy. I want Mommy and Daddy." She even poked out her bottom lip!

Of course, Lester scooped her up and hugged her tight and then carried her around like a little baby after that, so I guess mission accomplished, Clair. #wellplayed

I also think it's interesting that I got more commentary out of Clair on her very first day than I have gotten out of Cary and Dean in two years of going to school. "What'd you do today C or D?" "Nothing." "Who'd you play with?" "No one." "What'd you learn about today?" "Nothing."

So thank the Lord for Clair. Maybe I'll actually know what the hell goes on in school all day long now that she's there.

This morning, she complained a little bit about not wanting to go to summer camp, but when I left her, this is what she was doing:

So I kissed her, assured her Michelle would pick them all up later and headed for the door.

She didn't cry when I left and I haven't so much as welled up yet.

So I declare today a good day -- for her and for me.

Day 2: Relief

Today we left the boys at pre-school for the first time.

We came in to the class, and while the boys were happily playing with trucks, we announced that we were leaving and waited  a couple seconds for the realization to sink in. Both boys looked distressed. Cary began to bawl. Being the wuss that I am, I hurried out, while Lester lingered a little longer to offer more hugs. Dean angrily pushed him away, tears welling up in his eyes.The hugging just made Cary bawl harder.

I moved faster for the door.

Once in the hallway, we both paused for a minute, unsure what to do. And then Lester walked back, peeked in and said both boys had stopped crying!

I was relieved.

Since school was only 90 minutes long today, we dropped Clair off at home with Michelle and went to our fave coffee shop/bookstore for coffee and a quick breakfast. It was nice to have breakfast together and talk incessantly about our boys and the ever-changing, ever-busy schedule we keep.

We purposely arrived back at school 5 minutes early to pick them up, so that I could peek in and see how they were doing.

Me, doing exactly what Miss Toni told us not to do: standing in the doorway, peeking in the window.

They were both playing and loosely hanging out, not looking exactly thrilled but not crying either.

I was relieved.

We came in to get them. Both boys grinned so wide and said, "MOMMY! DADDY!" so happily, it made my heart melt. Then they played some more while I talked to the teachers.

I'm not saying a word about what each boy was doing, because I refuse to reinforce Cary and Dean stereotypes.

I'm not saying a word about what each boy was doing, because I refuse to reinforce Cary and Dean stereotypes.

But talking to the teachers threw a huge wet blanket on my relief!

Both boys had a "rough" day, the Daily Report sheet said.

Written on Cary's sheet, a handwritten note said, "Cary cried 1/2 the day."
Written on Dean's sheet, as well: "Dean cried 1/2 the day."

Miss Toni said they really only calmed down toward the last 10 minutes of the day -- when it was snack time (why am I not surprised?)

But they looked fine when Lester peeked in on our way out, and when I peeked in on our way to pick them up! I'm so confused. When did they start crying again? And why? And for 75-plus minutes?? What's that all about? I know this is normal and that it will get better over time (probably not before it gets worse first) but still ...it makes me a little melancholy.

The good news is, as we were leaving, both boys said good-bye to Miss Toni, who gave them each a sticker, and they truly seemed to be just fine, no worse for wear. They even said, "See you tomorrow!"

Hugs and stickers make everything better.

On the way down the hallway, Dean said to me, panicked, "Mommy! Where's Cware??!"
Isn't that sweet? He thought we forgot her somewhere, the same way we obviously forgot them at pre-school. Hahaha.

Oh boys, we'd never forget you. All I do is think about you both all day. And even though I'm not 100-percent sold on Miss Toni, I can tell that she is a warm person, who gives hugs and stickers freely.

And that means a lot.

Also, thank you so much for being SUCH awesome boys, and sending Mommy flowers today to let me know that you are really enjoying school, despite crying "1/2 the day."

This came for me today from Cary and Dean!! What a lovely, lovely surprise.

And, as I figured, you are clearly smarter than Miss Toni. (As evidenced by the note that came with the flowers).

That's why you cried and cried and cried some more today. You're so freakin' smart, you knew she'd give you a sticker at the end!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for cluing me in, boys.

I am so relieved.