Six-word Saturday

Where did the school year go?

My son has only three more days of kindergarten before school is over. I can't believe I'll be the mother of a first-grader soon! And my baby will be a preschooler next fall. Where did the school year go? Where did the TIME go?

It goes way too fast.

I can't help but feel the way country music singer Billy Dean does in this song:       

 

                    Lyrics here.

Wishing you all a Saturday filled with beautiful memories. ☺

 

Valentine's Day back in the day

Today's 100 words:

When I was in elementary school, the Valentine's Day parties were among my favorite of all celebrations. The teachers would have us make valentine holders by lacing together two construction paper hearts, and then we'd fill each other's hearts when the party day arrived. I remember how excited I used to feel as I looked at all the valentines I received; no child was left out. Now my preschool-age son is getting ready for his own party, writing names on his valentines after picking out the perfect one for each of his classmates. Watching him brings back good memories.

Pink eye

Today's 100 words:

I kept my son home from preschool today, as it looks as if he might have pink eye. At first he seemed disappointed to have to miss school, but now he's happier, and he actually can't wait to see the doctor in about an hour.

I can remember getting pink eye several times as a child, and I also remember the elation I felt upon waking up in the morning with one or both of my eyes stuck shut, which meant, of course, no school. I loved school, but it was always nice to have an unexpected vacation.

We're back from the doctor's office now. It turns out that he does have pink eye. Now the fight to get the drops into his eyes begins... ;)

NaNo - and - Where does the time go?

Heh. Inadvertent rhyme up there in the title. :-P

First, my NaNo update: I managed to write nearly 2,100 words today during the time my son was at school and between cooking meals, bringing my word count thus far to 6,003. I may try to get in a few more words tonight, but all in all, I'm happy with my progress.

Second, the passage of time: Other than NaNoWriMo, the thing most on my mind today is how fast the weeks are going by. It really feels like my son started preschool yesterday, and he's been going there for eight weeks now! Time goes way too fast, especially when you don't want it to.

Sorry for the short entry, but it's time to make dinner now, and then I hope to begin responding to the comments I received on this entry. Thanks again to all of you who offered advice!

Trick or treat!

Today's 100 words:

Today I was a mom helper in my four-year-old's preschool class. The kids were celebrating Halloween, each arriving in costume and ready to trick or treat at several offices throughout the building. Even though times have changed since I was a child, the costumes really haven't, and it was great to see familiar standbys like Spider-Man, a police officer, and the ubiquitous princess, all popular choices from my own childhood. It was clear that the kids were having a great time, and watching them made me nostalgic for the days when Halloween meant candy, games, and fun.

What memories do you have of Halloween? Any favorite costumes?

100 words on children growing up

Autumn cooled the air this morning, its chilly blast creeping through my bedroom window, sending me scurrying for warm clothes. Afterward, I rocked my two-year-old, enjoying her warmth and thankful that she's still willing to cuddle, that I'm still her world. It hurts my heart to think that one day my children might shun me as I try to kiss them or run from my open arms. My four-year-old hugs me when I drop him off at preschool, and I want to cling to him, knowing that my days of being number one aren't forever.

On apples and envy

This morning's 100 words:

I think the most difficult thing about sending my son to preschool is knowing that I won't always be the one who will experience all of his firsts. I won't be the only one with funny or cute or sweet stories to tell about him. Yesterday his teacher had the class taste different kinds of apples, and when I picked up my son, she described for me how funny and joyous it was to watch him taste a Red Delicious apple--how his face lit up with surprise and delight. I'm envious that she saw it and I didn't.

Because I know you've all been holding your breath...

Well, not really. :)

But since I've been writing so frequently about how excited my son has been to start school, I thought I would update on his first day, which was today. The verdict?

He loved it!

Although today was his first official day, it was really parent/child day, an hour-long meet and greet in which the kids and parents took a tour of the locker room (this is a YMCA program, and one thing the teachers focus on is swimming), the kids played, and the parents and teachers visited. My son did really well. I think he was excited to have the opportunity to play with other little boys--finally. (Most of my friends have girls, so up until now, the majority of his  playdates have been all girls, plus him.) When I chatted with one of the teachers, I could hear my son screaming and laughing as he and some other boys played a game that might have been called "Get Away from the Monster." He was having so much fun!

I also enjoyed my hour in the classroom. It was fun watching the kids get to know each other, and it was hilarious to listen to some of the things they said. When the teacher, Miss Krista, asked the kids what the rules should be for walking down to the locker room, one little boy remarked that everyone should keep his hands to himself and not poke the other kids. Miss Krista agreed that that was a very good rule, and then another child piped up, asking, "But it's okay if we touch ourselves, right?" The adults (including the teachers) all burst out laughing, and Miss Krista dryly remarked that she thought it was time to let that discussion go. I love listening to the kids and wish I could be a fly on the wall. Think of all the great story ideas one could find in a room full of four-year-olds!

Thursday is my son's first day alone in class--and therefore the first day I have to deal with my anxiety about leaving him there. I'm still a little nervous and a lot sad about having to be away from my "baby" for six hours each week. I know I'll probably cry, but for his sake, I'll try to keep a smile on my face until I leave the building. Having my daughter to distract me will help, I'm sure, and I know the hours will pass quickly. Before I know it, it will be time to pick him up and listen to him chatter excitedly about all the wonderful things he learned.

And his excitement is worth any sadness I'll feel.

There's no doubt about that.

Tomorrow is the day

My four-year-old son starts preschool tomorrow. We went shopping this weekend to buy him his backpack--he chose a Spider-Man one--and a few other things that he'll need. He's been counting down the days for quite a while now, and when I told him today that tomorrow will be his first day, the look of excitement and joy on his face was priceless! I'm glad he's so excited.

Now I'm just crossing my fingers that I don't embarrass him when I burst into tears...

One more week...

until my son starts preschool. I'm nervous and anxious and scared. At the same time, I'm excited and happy for my little boy, who can't wait to start his new journey.

Preschool was one of the first things I thought of when I woke up this morning, so it became the subject of today's 100 words:

I'm getting more anxious about the fact that my little boy is starting preschool next week. He's so excited, and I'm glad for that. But I'm also nervous and sad: nervous because I've never had to let someone I don't know care for him, and sad because the start of preschool means the beginning of growing up--and growing away. I won't have him here with me anymore, at least not every day; he'll be taking his first steps on the road to independence. I know he'll love school, but the realization that I can't be near him every minute is so frightening.

Ache

This morning's 100 words:

I woke up this morning with an ache in the pit of my stomach, the kind of pain that comes with the realization that something wonderful will soon be ending. It's an ache that fills me with dread and loneliness and sadness, all premature, yet I feel it weighing so heavily. The suddenness of it all, its imminence, has hit me--slammed into me--and it hurts.

My son starts preschool in the fall, only a few weeks from now, and I'm not ready to let him go. He's always been with me--every moment. I feel lost.

I know that preschool will be good for my son. I know that he'll be happy, that I'll ultimately be glad I sent him, that we'll both adjust. But it's still hard to think about right now...

A Mommy Milestone

Tomorrow I'll be taking my son to register for preschool, and all day I've been feeling mixed emotions. I know he's ready to go--he talks about it constantly--but I'm not sure I'm ready for him to go. In fact, my husband and I had originally signed him up to attend this year. We had paid the deposit and filled out all the required forms, but at the last minute, I decided I wanted to keep him home for another year. Three seemed so young--too young to be in school and away from me. Four was far away. It's here now, though. He'll be four next month, and in September, I'll be dropping him off at the preschool two days a week. Tomorrow's paperwork will be the start of it all.

I'm proud of my little boy. He's excited for school, and I want him to have that experience. But I already know that tomorrow will be a bittersweet day for me.