FIRST day of pre-SCHOOL!

Today was Kamden's FIRST day at preschool!

I couldn't sleep very well last night because my nerves were a jumbled mess. Kamden has never been around anyone he didn't know or never stayed with anyone besides immediate family. Like any overprotective parent, I have never trusted many people to watch him. We have been both fortunate and blessed for both of Kamden's grandmothers to help keep him during the first two years while we are at work and school full time. Kamden has stayed with my mom, Terri (Granny aka: Queenie) since he was 6 weeks old. He is crazy about her as much as she adores him. Every time we go to her house he never wants to leave. I know they will miss each other, but we believe this experience will be so good for him. I am hoping that he will meet new friends his age (he has never been around many kids before). I also think that it will help his language and social development tremendously. He is doing well for his age, but kids always pick up on what other children their age are doing.

Last night before I started tossing and turning, I spent hours getting everything ready for his first day at school. We went shopping yesterday afternoon and made sure he had plenty of supplies and food for lunch. We even found him the cutest lunch box I have ever seen, an arctic cooler in the shape of an airplane (his second fave behind cars). I also found a new sippy cup for him... the best one yet! It's made by Nuk and is for 24 month olds who are making the transition to a rimmed cup. It has a rim, like a cup... but also a no leak valve to prevent spills. I never thought I would ever be this enthusiastic over a sippy cup, but anything beats cleaning up dozens of leaky drinks and spills every day. When we got home I laid his clothes out, packed his lunch, and his book bag. I labeled everything in sight, putting his name on everything he was taking with him tomorrow, including the food. I know, I might of got a little pen happy with the sharpie. I just wanted him to have everything he needed away from home.

I walked him inside this morning. I talked to him last night and on in the car on the ride over and briefed him on what to expect today. Hopefully, he understood enough to be content with the whole ordeal. He is at the age where he always wants to help out now, so he kindly carried his own lunch box for me. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. It was a little heavy for him, but he threw it over his shoulder and marched into school. He seemed ready for it. He didn't cry when I kissed him goodbye, but he had a confused look on his face. He didn't know whether to be more concerned with me leaving or the other little boy playing with a cool car. I think the cool car helped save the day!

I was counting down the minutes until I was off work and could go pick Kamden up from school. When I got there he was playing with all of the other kids-- jibber jabbing and having fun. I worried for nothing! When he saw me his face lit up, he gasped in suprise, and had the biggest smile! There is no better feeling in the world than when you see that reaction from him. When I got to the door this lady was holding this other little girl, and she started acting up. The woman popped her on the leg. I would have loved to have been a mirror and saw my facial expression, because I'm pretty sure my jaw was on the floor in disbelief. She said, "oh don't worry she's mine." haha. I didn't know what to think! I think my eyes were as big as meatballs! Kamden paid it no attention and gave me a big hug. He was telling all of the other kids "Bye." Especially his new friend Emma, who is only a day older than him. Her birthday is the day before his. She kept making that funny motor boat sound drumming her fingers against her lips, and Kamden kept copying her. He's already learning something new, and it's only day 1!

What really made for a more emotional day, was the fact that it was also Keith's FIRST day of Optometry school! So both of my boys were starting new schools today. I faught back the tears all morning, as I was nervous for them both. This day seemed so far away, and now it has finally arrived faster than it has had a chance to sink it. It's a whole new world for them to experience now. The past two months they have spent almost every waking moment together. They are seriously attached at the hip... best of friends. I'm sure Keith is looking forward to being around adults (lol) But I know the transition will not be easy. All of our lives are changing rapidly, but it's an exciting journey for each of us. The best part about it all is that we have each other to depend on... and that is what family is all about!