The first day of the last year
pamelamyers | September 9, 2014
Yesterday was Sam’s first day of school for the year. Her last year of preschool before kindergarten. It is hard to believe. Time has gone by so quickly. Mark and I got ready to walk her to school and it felt like just yesterday that she started school for the very first time. She looks so grown up now, she is such a big girl. And so very beautiful. Sam picked her outfit today (no surprise there) and I think she looks amazing.
We took a moment to take some photos together before leaving. She looks so happy and excited, but I know inside she was a little scared. She wasn’t going to know anyone in her class this year from last year, and Julia, her friend, moved on to kindergarten. Her old apprehension about meeting new people came right out.
I love her sassy little face in this one. Such a girl!
Eventually though, it was time to go and she and her Daddy marched off down the street.
Mrs. Dunbar and Mrs. Hayes had the classroom all set up for the new arrivals and Sam eagerly checked it out. She was happy to see not one, but two kitchens, and a lot of familiar toys like baby dolls and doll houses.
I was surprised when sneaking a peek at the class list, I did see one familiar name, a boy she had in class last year. Not that it matters though. Sam will have nothing to do with the boys! She told me the other day that she doesn’t like boys, only Daddy and Franny! Hmmm…I guess she hasn’t forgotten about Franny’s marriage proposal. There were only about 3 other kids in her class last year not old enough for kindergarten and they stayed in the afternoon class. But it is what it is – Sam will make new friends. I am not worried about it. Who wouldn’t want to be her friend? She is the best.
When we got home, Sam couldn’t wait to decorate her new tote bag. She already had the patches picked out that she wanted to use this year. I think her bag looks fantastic. She placed everything just so, in a logical place, and even her drawing on the bag is very specific. She drew a pond and a lily pad for the duck and the frog, and a tree with branches holding nests for the birds. She drew a sun and placed Cinderella at the bottom to look up at the flying owls. It is so different than last year’s bag (which she still loves) in it organization. Her drawing has really changed in a year.
I am so proud of Sam. I say it all the time, not only here, but also, more importantly, to her. This is her last year of what I consider babydom, even though she isn’t really a baby anymore. She’s not, obviously, but somehow, being in preschool, I can hang on to it a little bit. I feel like once she starts kindergarten she is on a new road. One that quickly leads to “real” school, and growing up so darn fast. And I am very, very proud of everything she has done to get to this point. She has changed and grown and learned so much. When I look at her little face I can’t fathom how she managed to change so much from my baby to the big girl she is now. I swing between wanting her to stay Mommy’s little baby to wanting her to grow up and be independent minute by minute. That’s how it feels anyway. Most of the time I lean toward the growing up part. Move forward, Sammy. Keep moving. No matter what, I’ll always be right behind you, ready to support you, no matter how fast you go.