A "Little Visit" to Preschool

Today was Jack's first day at school, we went for the open house where he got to meet his teacher and the other kids in his class. He was very nervous the last few nights at bedtime about going to school. He told me he was scared. But today he was excited to go for a "little visit." He will go for about an hour without me on Thursday, the first time I will leave him somewhere ever. (Except for all those nights at the grandparents' houses, but this is different.)

I can't believe that the fat little chunk of a baby monkey that used to keep me up all night is big enough to wear underpants and have a backpack and go off to school.

Preschool, Sigh

I know, I know, it's preschool. Believe me when I tell you this, I know it is only preschool.

At 5:40 this morning I was in the parking lot at the preschool I want Jack to go to. For a 9 o'clock registration. I was the eighth person there. By registration time there were probably 40 parents there, maybe 50. The particular class I wanted Jack in had only 4 spots open and I did not get one of them. See, siblings of previous students get to register first, so there were only 4 spots left this morning. I am, however, the first person on the waiting list for that class. Jack is registered for another class, but I am hoping, hoping he will get moved up to the one I want.

This stuff is a little ridiculous. And all of us in line this morning in the bitter cold agreed, we couldn't believe we were doing this for preschool. The fact is, though, there are not enough preschools and preschool spots in our area. There are a ton of kids and not enough schools. This particular school had the earliest registration and is one of the only ones closest to our town, hence the large parent turnout.

It sounds like a lot of people put in registrations (and fees!) at a couple schools, to hold their spots and then choose once they know which ones they can get into. It is crazy. Nuts I tell you.

And in the seemingly never ending saga of my sleep deprivation, I've only been awake since 4 this morning. Sarah was up twice which I can live with, but Jack was crying at 4 that he couldn't sleep. He wouldn't go back to sleep himself, so he came into my room with me. And we didn't get much sleep. I should have just gotten up and gone to wait for registration at 4. I wouldn't have been the first one there!

PRE-Preschool

Jack will be 3 in April and so that means it is time to look into preschool for him for the fall. Preschool. As in a place where my baby would go several times a week without me and learn things and play and make friends. Did I mention he would go without me?

It is kind of a shock to my delicate mother's system that we have to start thinking about this now. I am not quite ready to send him off to school and into the big, cruel world.

The other night at dinner, my husband asked Jack, "Would you like to go to school next year?" And Jack's eyes lit up and he said, "Oh, yes! I will be big!"

And my eyes welled up with tears. No! Wait! Stay home with me!

(And maybe I am a being tad dramatic about the whole thing.)

This morning Jack, Sarah and I went to a preschool to take a tour. As we pulled into the parking lot, Jack said, "This is my school!" When we went in the classroom, Jack went right over and played with the toys and then sat down at a table and painted. A sweet little girl handed him a paint ice cube and he helped himself to a piece of paper.

Jack did not want to leave.
Walking to the car, I consoled him, telling him that he could come to school when he is 3 and big.
He cried, "I am BIG. I am 3 NOW!"