First Day of Fabulous Fives

Today was the first day of Fabulous Fives, a four year old preschool program that you are enrolled in for the 2012-2013 school year at First United Methodist Church! You are four years old & in training for being a fabulous FIVE year old by attending school five days a week! Oh! How I missed you so throughout the day! I looked at the clock every hour anxiously awaiting to pick you up from preschool. Your eagerness to arrive at school this morning left a vivid memory of happiness in my heart that I saw on your face, in your pace as you laughed when we had to search for your umbrella since summer raindrops were falling like teardrops from the sky! Boom! Boom! Boom! Mommy asked you if you heard that thunder that God made. You stopped and asked, "Why did God make it?" I knew immediately why you asked that question because we've been together for endless hours since you were born! I laughed and asked you, "Do you think it was Mr. Brown that made thunder?" You said, "Yes!" and ran to your play room to find Dr. Seuss's book, Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? My heart ached to hold you just a little longer! I didn't want to let you go this morning. I was delighted that school was starting for you. for me. for all that you'd learn. for new experiences.........but...but would they know you like I do! Would they know exactly what book you'd run after like I did this morning! Oh! I love you! I love this smile. I love this little school girl and I know, I know that you must grow and learn-----but this very morning I wanted to hold you a little more! You ate all of your breakfast and even saw Daddy this morning before he left for work. You buzzed with excitement.....ready for the first day of preschool.......

Ready for the first day...

Eager to give out treats...

You neglected that new backpack of yours once you had your treats in your hands. You had cat food for Mrs. Donna's cat, Mister, that you picked out yourself at Target this weekend! You had to HAVE it for Mrs. Donna. Although, we didn't have a coupon for it......like we normally do. You wouldn't put it back so we bought it to GIVE. And not to leave Mrs. Becky out, I asked you if you'd like to bring her cookies and you said yes so we prepared those for her. And for your new teacher, Mrs. Tracy-------a SHAPES book for her to browse for teaching ideas! Each gift awarded you with an embrace this morning........and with each hug and words of appreciation, I knew that each of these ladies would love on you throughout the school day while Mommy was away from you!

You made my soul swell with pride when you hung up your backpack and lunchbox like a BIG school girl without help from Mommy! But my favorite moment this morning was these little lips......kissing me, blowing me kisses------and this little mouth saying, "Bye, Mommy! I love you!" And when I picked you up from school......."Mommy, I didn't cry......(then you hesitated)...and said just a little......but I didn't cry!" I had to pick you up early today for a speech test at Dyersburg Primary School. While we drove, you snacked.....one bag of marshmallows, one banana........At DPS, we took two potty breaks-----and with tears prior to your speech test when you thought Mommy was leaving you again........I knew that it was a hard, long day for you. First days are hard for Mommy too--------no matter how excited we both were throughout the morning and day! You passed your speech test and as the speech teacher and I chatted, you investigated the classroom's toys, games, etc.-----Finding a little baby doll, you just loved immediately.....tears that you had to leave her.......five minutes later, we were changing into your tutu and new tap shoes that you were super excited about............tears before loads of fun dancing and tapping away........and slipping into your ballerina shoes for the second half of your ballet lesson! Then, it was time to go home after a busy, busy first day..........

Ballerina, School Girl

"Mommy, I want to show you what's in here!"

I love you, Sophia, our little school girl!

........and a few more tears at home...during dinner.......mini meltdowns that we pulled together with extra kisses and hugs today-----since they are not normal for you at all! And as soon as we'd wipe away the tears, I'd see a smile and eagerness to work in your Highlights booklets, watch Dora Gymnastics, go outside with Daddy, read books with Mommy...........

.........and one question you asked before you fell asleep, "Mommy, how many more days of school?" I answered, "I don't know. We will have to count them tomorrow!"

 Matthew 6:34 says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

We give thanks for these moments of JOY we were given today. Tomorrow, we'll go forth & embrace the gifts we are given-------and each of these days.....for each school day, I will hold your hand. I will cheer you on! I will encourage you! I will pray for you. You give me insight into God's promises over our lives with your simple questions as you think about your day at the end of the night.

I will love you........

So many favorite moments.......that I don't want to forget.......

Mommy: Did you find the note in your lunchbox?

Sophia: Yes (your eyes lighting up)

Mommy: What did it say?

Sophia: I love you. Hugs and Kisses, Hugs and Kisses

Mommy: How were the hugs and kisses written?

Sophia: Xs and Os, Xs and Os, Xs and Os (you are smiling)

Sidenote: The I love you was written with an eyeball, a heart, and the letter u! I love that you enjoyed this little lunch note in your lunchbox today!

Another favorite memory of today........

As we were changing into your tutu in the truck today, I noticed that your dress was on backwards-------a pillowcase dress so it didn't matter...the tag was in the front though...so I said...Daddy, put your dress on backwards this morning? because I had assumed that he put it on you. You answered back, "I put it on all by myself!" I smiled! We have to learn not to sweat the small stuff.........and embrace these moments of JOY. Now there's a Greek superstition story that I'll have to tell you sometime about wearing that dress backwards today but it's late--------

Mommy must say goodnight to a busy first day of Fabulous Fives!