I’ll tell you what was weird. I dropped Astrid off for her first day of preschool this morning. We’ve both been waiting with reserved anticipation for this event. Astrid not sure what ‘preschool’ really meant..and me. Well me, I wasn’t sure what it meant to be completely alone.
Leaving her was one of those moments where you wonder how it will really go. Astrid hasn’t ever been ‘left’ by me. No sitter, no school, no class. Just with Dad. And that doesn’t really count as being left.
But Astrid walked into that school and found her basket “This one is mine mama because it has a big ‘A’ on it and Astrid starts with A!” She dropped her backpack and walked right into that room. Not even looking for my hand.
She decided to play with play-doh(because ahem. we don’t have it at home) and sat down at a spot. I knelt down beside her and said that I was going to leave and asked her for a kiss. She turned to me and gave me a quick kiss and told me that she’d see me later.
And that was that.
Confused and overwhelmed I walked out of the building donning my sunglasses before I reached the exit to hide a few tears.
Because there she goes. But I’ve been here before.
But I didn’t have much time to think about it as I had to make a call to the orthodontist to change a braces appointment for Eloise. I had to confirm lessons with our new piano teacher. Dance classes needed to be rescheduled. I had to pick-up shoes. Damn I forgot to buy tights for Astrid.
I ran to the bookstore because I wanted to grab some supplemental math materials for Esther(will she ever learn how to tell time?).
Esther wanted me to arrange a play-date with another friend and Eloise is begging for another sleep-over for this weekend.
I had a chat with one of the neighbor moms because our kids have been playing ‘The Hunger Games’ outside lately but thankfully since they are all girls and currently have no need to hurt their friends whether imaginary or not..no one dies in this game but they all want to be Rue.
We decide they can still play. Katniss is a great role model and Rue kind of rocks all of our worlds.
I also bought ‘To Kill A Mockingbird” for Eloise to read because I know she will love it. The girl can read a book in about two hours and is begging for more ideas.
Did I mention that I did grab a cup of coffee all by myself and it was strange not to do the juggling act of holding hot coffee while holding a hand across the street and getting a toddler into a car? I hadn’t tried that in awhile. It was nice not to drop my phone. Also, I had my phone to myself for a whole three hours.
I can do it. I can do this again. And do you know what’s weird? Absolutely nothing.
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Linking up with Memories Captured and Wordful Wednesdays.
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Isn’t it about time you like Sellabit Mum on Facebook? I’ll pay you in cute puppies. Maybe. Or kittens if you go that way. Because I go that way.
And because I know you will ask...dress is from Crewcuts.
Love love love her dress.
Also that you had a few hours to yourself. You did a jig, didn’t you?
Alison recently posted..Unexpected
I drank coffee(HOT!) and wrote two articles(QUIET!)!!
What else did you do by/TO yourself while alone, hmmm?
I let my oldest read To Kill a Mockingbird and noticed that she’d stopped before finishing. I couldn’t really get out of her why, so maybe some of the themes were a bit out of her league yet. She’ll be 12 this year, though, so I think we’ll revisit it. Better than the librarian suggesting The Bluest Eye or The Color Purple. Um, just because we’re black doesn’t mean we only read black authors and BITCH, HELLO, HAVE YOU READ THOSE BOOKS? THIS IS MIDDLE SCHOOL! (Though my copy of The Bluest Eye is sitting upstairs in a box just waiting).
And of course the dress is adorable and of course we’d have asked.
Arnebya recently posted..It’s Not Me, It’s You.
Yea! You picked my fav dress (re: Instagram post!)
Yay! It was mine too!
Every single picture was great!
To Kill a Mockingbird was a good read, I still like it. Good choice.
I love this dress and they don’t make ‘em any cuter than your little one.
Rosey recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Congrats C&E!
I know – I love that book and am now reading it again too.
So glad her first day went smoothly – wasn’t sure she’d want to leave her best friend – YOU:) Of course she looks adorable. Enjoy your alone time.
How lovely does she look. Good luck with your school career, sweet girl. Watch out world indeed!
Ugh…I am dying from the cuteness. She seems to have just that right amount of sass to add to her sweet.
My kids have been in daycare forever, but this year I put my oldest on a school bus for Kindergarten and it was rough. I still get all choked up about it.
Really sweet post and Astrid is just a perfect photo subject. Love her dress.
Jaime recently posted..News Bulletin!! Hell Freezes Over, Talking Goat is Elected President, and Pigs Sprout Wings
Kindergarten is a very big deal – and so is the bus!
Congratulations on having all kids in school. It’s a very bittersweet moment.
And LOVE Astrid’s dress.
Jen recently posted..Adventures in Going Potty
Be still my heart! Could she be any cuter? No.
Your photos are INCREDIBLE. I insist you make one of those poster size.
love you. Wish you were here.
Michelle Lehnardt recently posted..I’m not as capable as you think
Miss you too. I do need to make one big! One day I will also buy PS. Maybe.(I’m still scared).
She is just overflowing with cuteness! My goodness… the girls, the dress, the fab Oilily backpack!!! LOVE that girl! And I agree with Michelle – great photos!
Ann recently posted..The Lizards of Alls
She is so cute! I wish you both a wonderful year as you adjust to the new schedule. That’s the dress I was voting for!
Rachelle recently posted..Visiting Elliot
She is just the cutest thing ever! And that dress…. I need on in my size!!
Have fun with all that free time!
Jackie recently posted..From then to now….
Thank you! I know – I love the lemons and want one too!
I Agree with the other comments, can Astrid get any cuter!! I am sad for ur missing ur littlest one but Happy cause i know her future and yours are gonna be bright! cause ur family is gonna MAKE life bright no matter WHAT happens! thats the only way its done. suishy hugs to u@sellabit Mum!!
Thank you so much – she really loved school so much!
I have this rare half days off after I’ve been on call. I used to pick up M from school and hang out with her. Now I take a nap and get coffee alone. It is so awesome.
My recent sniffly moment came when H walked herself in to her room at daycare. She’s talking now too! I can barely handle it some days.
Amelia Sprout recently posted..United. For All.
They grow way too quickly! xo
Oh how I wish they made that dress in MY SIZE and I wanted to pink/yellow dress..THIS ONE IS FANTASTIC.
I love how she is, how independent and READY , that is all you and how she’s been raised..to be powerful and wonderful. Just like you.
All of our babies are growing up…and I have the sniffles about it, not full on crying, but the sniffles and teary eyes. For the first time ever I want them to stay little a little longer.
xoxoo
she’s just gorgeous!
I know – JCrew would make a killing if they made this dress in our size. xo
Awww, sounds like you both did great! It’s hard when the separation anxiety sets in, but it’s downright bittersweet when they’re all, “OK, buh-bye now!” Brings a smile to my face and a lump to my throat all at once.
And I envy your solitude. E-N-V-Y. When I drop Lil’ Bit off at preschool/daycare, I just get to come to work. Yay!
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..On Girlfriends and Play Dates
You can see how excited she is in all these beautiful pics, but I have to tell you: that backpack took my breath away! LOVE.
Thank you! I so love that backpack and am so glad I held onto it for her.
I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow. We had orientation yesterday but I was there the entire time – and he cried at home and in the car on the way there.
I have a feeling you’ll hear my scream of joy all the way in Minn…
Cheryl @ Mommypants recently posted..Seven
I hope it went okay and you enjoyed your alone time. xo
Blake and Jack started 2nd and 1st grade this year, and neither one of them wanted me to walk them in on the first day…
yeah, I totally cried….
Not a Perfect Mom recently posted..Not Even a Coffee Table
I know – Eloise won’t even let me go to the bus stop. sob.
LOVE her dress (and I’m jealous of her curls…my girls barely have any hair still). When I dropped the girls off at preschool, I didn’t cry which really surprised me. I think I looked more like your jumping for joy picture
natalie recently posted..Fall Baking: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Yes, within about 5 minutes I was also jumping for joy!
As much as I would love to send Zoe to preschool, she’ll have to wait until her sisters go to kinder next year. And I just adore the 2 mornings a week with just my baby.
Love every single thing about this post. But I love her face the most.
Yuliya recently posted..the happiest of days
Thank you sweet lady. xo
First of all she looks so adorable and I love that dress (and the curls.) Second, I can’t believe you’ve never left her with anyone else. Now I feel like I’m leaving my children all the time. Granted usually with their dad or grandparents, but still! Third, three hours completely to yourself sound amazing. I’m jealous.
Marta recently posted..My Little Kindergartner.
Little know parenting fact about me – I’ve been a mom for almost 10 years and we’ve never hired a babysitter.
Sounds like a great experience. Photos and subject are stunning, as always. And, just so you know, you inspire me as a mother.
christine recently posted..Finding Happiness and Love
Where did you get that dress? She looks absolutely adorable in them! And I must say, she was probably the cutest little preschooler in the whole school – curls and all!
In a couple of weeks, I will be in the same situation. My 3 year old will be starting on the 24th. *sniff*
Janice recently posted..Play With Me
P.S.
I just saw where you mentioned where you got the dress. LOL. I. Need. Coffee.
Janice recently posted..Play With Me
Thank you! Yes we love the dress!
Oh, she looks so sweet. Also, we had to eventually limit Abbey’s insistence on filling her backpack with stuffed animals (fine, and dollhouse furniture) in order to get her art projects home
angela recently posted..Smiling at Fall
You know, I’m fairly convinced my youngest is going to wave, say “bye,” and roll her eyes if I ask for a kiss or a second goodbye.
I think that’s what a well-brought-up kid is supposed to do. Well-brought-up kids are assholes.
John recently posted..Where I write to my dearly departed self
she is so stinkin’ adorable!! how can you stand it??
I know – I love her so much. xo
Oh, so much to say. This may be my favorite post yet, the pictures so PERFECTLY matching your thoughts. love, love, love.
I was surprised, and then I wasn’t, that both you and Astrid handled the day so well. You will both use your time apart to appreciate each other that much more when you are back together.
And please dear girl, take advantage of the library in my house for books for Miss Eloise?
maybaby recently posted..silver bells
Oh we need a ladies only breakfast soon!
Dress? Squeal!
Child? Double squeal?
Coffee ON YOUR OWN? Triple squeal times a million!
And I totally liked your FB page. Of course I did.
xxx
Angie@TheLittleMumma recently posted..Memories Captured – Whirli-Zig
Aw thank you – she had such a great first day!
Ohhhhh… she is just so devine! Look at that fair doll skin and precious locks and the dress and the back pack! A real sweetie. I’m not looking forward to that first day emptiness…
Vicki @ knocked up and abroad recently posted..Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Puff Went Billy!
Ohmyheart, sweet friend!
First of all, she’s adorable. {We already knew that.}
Second of all, coffee alone is kind of magical. {Knew that, too.}
Third of all, preschool time goes FAST. {Ditto.}
Fourth of all, Brody started preschool this week, too. {It’s time we have coffee. Just us. What a concept!}
Love you!
Galit Breen recently posted..Memories Captured September Linky!
Coffee alone is amazing! What days does B have school as YES we need to have coffee with just us!
I feel like your pictures/kids/clothes should be in a magazine.
Aw, thank you. I know – this girl needs a job!
Oh my, cutest pictures ever! I remember crying the first day I left my kids at school…yes with all three of my kids!
Yep – me too. So bittersweet.
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