Slater's First Week of School

Today is Friday. The last day of the school week. This was Slater's (3) first week of school. Monday was the last time (unless I have another kid) I will be sending a child off to school for the very first time. I was very emotional. Yes, it's true.

Every since the kids got back from the UK, I have been pumping Slater up for school. Remember, she's anti-social. So Monday morning came. Instead of her observing the other kids prep for school, she had to get ready. She was okay with that. Ate her breakfast. Made sure she had her new backpack (she picked it out). She was ready.

Both my husband and I took her. He was all gushy. He's always the gushy one.

So we get to the class. The director was there greeting the kids and parents. My best friend Kimberly was there with her daughter, Evelyn (also 3). It's her youngest babe too.

The director asked Evelyn if she wanted to play for a while (before the actual day started). Evelyn went, "I would like to learn...please!". I wanted to laugh. Kimberly turned white. Kimberly encouraged her to go and play anyways. Slater was already off. But she was "mean mugging" the other kids. Like she was analyzing them. One little girl walked up to her and asked her her name. Apparently, the girls was okay with Slater because she started playing with her. Then she called Evelyn over. She did this introduction, "This is Evelyn....she's my friend!". The three continued to play.

Then the director announced that it was time for the parents to go, and for the kids to say goodbye. Slater came up to me and said, "You're leaving me?!....HERE???". I told her that she will be there for a while and it will be fun. She goes, "It does NOT! It's not fun here, mommy."

So I tell her what they'll probably do all day and I started talking like most people talk to children...in those fake voices of over-exaggeration. Slater looked at me crazy. I never talk to my kids like that.

She pushed her hair off her shoulder and turned her nose up. I leaned in for a kiss, hoping she wouldn't reject me for betraying her. She gave me a hug and a kiss. I may have squoze her too tight. So she waves, and my husband and I turn to walk away. Then she hollers, "DADDY!". She runs up to my husband and gives him a big hug and kiss. I almost fell to pieces. This is the child that hardly wants anyone to touch her.

She did well all week. So today, I just picked her up. The teacher informed the kids that they don't have to come back for 3 whole days (labor day weekend). So Slater goes, "I'm not going back, mommy! I don't want to sing, or sit in a circle. I don't like glue. I don't want to share!"

(Laughs)

So I tried to explain that she is going back...in 3 days. I asked her what exactly she doesn't like about school. She said, "There are too many people, mommy." Mind you, there are only like 10 kids per class.

The teacher sends progress reports, and she said that Slater did very well. She's very bright, and well mannered....but she's selective in the friend making department. She's made 4 new friends. And she only talks to them. She won't have much to do with the other kids.

I look at it like this; 4 new kids in 5 days? That's awesome. Especially for Slater. As long as she's not clocking another kid on the head, I'm okay with it.

Now, she's climbing in my lap and I know I have emails coming in. So I have to go. I just wanted to share.

Tags: daughter, family, love, school, socializing