Countdown, Day 1

Monday

And so, as it typically goes, Monday morning is the morning that I have to DRAG Jack out of bed. This one started no different. Drew was already in the car, eating more cereal and watching Toy Story, which is a whole other story...how I rely on a DVD player, shameful but true. I can only take so many minutes of him standing by the door crying to go out! So, he finally makes it downstairs with his teeth brushed and his jammies still one. Okay, deep breath. I can help him get dressed, even though he is FIVE! Dressed, shoes, hat, coat, bucket (the COW version of a backpack, each kid decorates their own bucket that carries what they need to take and brings home all of the messages and art), oranges and cereal, I think we're set. And then he remembers that today is his sharing day, his last sharing day before summer vacation. Fine that we are now 10 minutes behind schedule, really after 5 I'm a bit anxious...and today Drew is still in the car. But he is right, he should take something for sharing. Never mind that when we talked about it last night before bed he wanted to take his Dino Pets book that he can "read" aka memorized. Not anymore, so we settle for the pea plant that he had planted a few weeks back, perfect. At this very moment not one iota of my being is sentimental about the Monday morning preschool routine. By the way, Andrew is fine, actually happy in the car alone for 10 minutes! Don't worry mama, the doors were locked and I was in the Dining Room looking out the window :)

So, we drop off Andrew at Daffy's. He is happy because his girlfriend, April is still getting ready for her college finals and will be home with him this morning. AND he has a new cow blanket for nap time, to match his cow pillow. Bliss! Okay, so now I can think a little more clearly. Even though we are still late, we're getting closer. I am still fine, really fine, like wondering how nice it will be next Monday to only make one stop before going to the office. Honestly, feeling guilty thinking about how nice it will be...

But then we get there and I see all of his friends and his teachers and the classroom and I think I looked at it all differently today. Drinking it in so that I don't forget that feeling when we walk in and the routine that we have and the girls hugging my legs and the visit to Pokey the turtle. And the smell of paint and reading the sign about the day's activities. Today, Maddy gave Jackson a hot wheels watch that the poor kid has been trying to get out of cereal for 6 months. He somehow winds up with Barbie or pink flower watches every time! I think all the girls in school have watches from him :). You would have though she gave him the world! So, I took a minute to thank her and tell her how happy she had made him. Talked with an old classmate of mine who has a son that goes there as well, hugged another girl and made my way out. And then it hit me, so I called Jay before I teared up. He only replied with, " I wondered how long that would take! " And then, of course, followed it with comforting words that made me feel better.

I will miss that little school and how happy it made him and how many fun times he had there. I will especially miss seeing all of the wonderful friendships he made. What a bittersweet time. I am so excited for him to move onto Kindergarten and yet you never want to leave behind something that is so good. Even though I know that soon enough I'll be back with Drew...crazy, it is still the end of Jack's time here. Wednesday is his program and lunch with mom and dad, so we'll be able to see them all together performing in their glory. What fun!