Yesterday, Danny J started "big boy school" at the international school. I know it's only pre-school, but it seemed like a much bigger deal because his day began at 9am and I didn't pick him up until 3:30pm. That's a long day for such a little guy! Fortunately, he loved it and made it through the entire day without any major breakdowns.
He has been so excited to start school and has been going around telling everyone that, at his new school, they speak ENGLISH. What a luxury! (I was surprised, however, to find that Danny and his little friend Ellie were the only Americans in the class. There are 15 kids in the class representing 11 different nationalities!)
We woke up early Monday morning (much harder on me than Danny) and had a big pancake breakfast.
We then proceeded to get dressed and make sure we had everything on the long list provided by the school: a pillow and blanket for rest time, a change of clothes, indoor and outdoor shoes, two snacks and a lunch.
Packing up a pillow and blanket to take to school must have really confused him. I overheard the following conversation between Rach and Dan as we were walking out the door:
D: Bye Rach!
R: Where going Danny?
D: Rach, today, I go to big boy school so I won't be sleeping here anymore.
R: Oh...bye!
After I explained that I would be picking him up later in the afternoon AND that he still would be sleeping in his own bed that night, we jumped in the car and began the 15 minute drive to school. I was trying to talk to him and make sure he was still feeling good about being away from home all day. He wasn't answering any of my questions and just sat quietly and stared out the window. I figured the nerves were setting in, so I kept asking and asking if he was okay. Finally he said, "Mom! I'm just thinking! I don't have any problems!"
We arrived had the school and, as we walked into the classroom, I told him I would stay until he told me it was okay for me to leave. He hung up his backpack and said, "Bye Mom!" So, obviously, all my stress and worry during the previous weeks that a 6 and 1/2 hour school day would be too much for my little boy to handle was a waste of time. I stuck around anyway because parents were invited to stay and watch their first circle time.
The first the thing the teacher did was to go up to each child individually, introduce herself and then ask their name.
(FLASHBACK - I'm 5 years old and sitting on my assigned letter, the letter P, around the alphabet rug in Mrs. Ganje's kindergarten class. Everyday Mrs. Ganje would go around to each child and say "Good morning", and we would be expected to say good morning back. Everyday, for the entire school year I would hear,"Good morning Erin!" And everyday for the entire school year, I would sit there and stare at her in silence until she moved on to the next child.)
Danny's teacher is quickly working her way around the circle. She ends up reading most of the children's name tags since the majority of them aren't answering her or are too quiet to be heard. Then she gets to Danny. "Good morning! My name is Mrs. Holmstrom, what's your name. My boy, with much confidence...and volume says,"Good morning! I'm Danny Jackson!" Every parent in the room looked at me with a big smile.
I was eager to pick up Danny at 3:30. He ran up and gave me a big hug and kept repeating, "That was so nawesome! That was so nawesome!" I was so relieved to find that he loved it and that he could handle all the structure. They do have quite a bit of free play time, but they also have circle time, music, P.E. and German lessons. Hopefully the newness and excitement won't wear off too soon.
So, that's it. My baby isn't a baby anymore. I'm so proud of the big boy he's become!
