First Day

Today was Chloe's first official day of preschool. My little caterpillar is shedding her cocoon and learning to fly....

Many of my feelings, thoughts and emotions about this BIG event in our lives are best summed up in the lyrics of the song When You Come Back Down by Nickel Creek. (playing)

You got to leave me now, you got to go alone
You got to chase a dream, one that's all your own
Before it slips away
When you're flyin' high, take my heart along
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song
That you learn to play

When you're soarin' through the air....



I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

I'll keep lookin' up, awaitin' your return
My greatest fear will be that you will crash and burn
And I won't feel your fire
I'll be the other hand that always holds the line
Connectin' in between your sweet heart and mine
I'm strung out on that wire

And I'll be on the other end, To hear you when you call
Angel, you were born to fly, If you get too high
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll catch you when you fall

[Bridge:]
Your memory's the sunshine every new day brings
I know the sky is calling
Angel, let me help you with your wings

When you're soarin' through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare

I'll still be there
When you come back down
Take every chance you dare,
I'll still be there....

When you come back down
When you come back down

Let's just say it was a day jam-packed with emotions. We started with a big send-off party at our house. She had balloons for good luck and lots of kisses and hugs from Mom, Grammy & Papa. She was excited to go on the big yellow bus and to use her new back pack (she loves that thing!)....

When the bus pulled up to our house, I thought I would be nervous, but I was so excited for her. I thought she would get scared on the lift, but she actually really liked it!....

I decided to ride with her this first time to let her know the bus is a good place and learn to feel comfortable. I sat by her side and explained that this is the bus whose wheels go round and round, like we've been singing about for all these years! We sang the song a few times while she looked around and took it all in, grinning and laughing every second! Grammy was right behind us to give me a ride home (and I think because she needed to see for herself that Chloe was okay!)....

Chloe rode the bus with two new friends, Noah and Marissa. They were so cute....

Then we got to the school, got off the bus and (whew!) the bus ride was over. That's what I had been most nervous about....

What I didn't realize is that THIS would be the hardest part of the day....

The teachers were now responsible for my little girl. I felt lighter, but I missed the weight. Does that make sense? It was SO hard watching them walk away with my little girl. My non-verbal little girl who depends on me and her dad and her grandparents to figure out what she wants and make her laugh, not these people!

I gave them about 5 minutes to get settled in the room, then I secretly snuck in the hallway and peaked through the door. Chloe was meeting some new friends and being put in a chair in a semi-circle for story time. She was smiling. She was happy. It was okay.

It felt like a zillion years that she was gone. I got my house cleaned, got most of the laundry done, then I still had several hours to kill that I didn't know what to do with.

It was nice.

The welcome home crew consisted of Nana, Grammy and Mommy. Us three crazy blond ladies jumping up and down and blowing horns at a big yellow school bus was probably quite a sight to passers by!....

Chloe was so happy to be home!

She was thirsty and very "talkative." She wanted ME.

It was nice....

I talked to her teacher on the phone. She said Chloe did great in class; she was either happy and smiling or quiet, observant and just taking it all in.

I always wanted my little caterpillar to experience flying and now she has. Enjoy it, little girl!