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.