First Day of School

Today was Andrew's first day of Mom's Day Out at Fellowship UMC. He was excited about it and kept telling me that it was time to leave. He smiled when I handed him his lunchbox, and we quickly fell into our familiar school-day dialogue of "What's in the Lunchbox Today". It's a favorite game of Andrew's. He always humors me by acting amazed when I tell him what's in his lunchbox...which is almost always the same. (God bless the child who overlooks Mom's lack of culinary vision in regards to the contents of a SpongeBob Squarepants lunchbox.) The boy likes familiarity, and I figured I could provide him with at least one predictable thing for today.

The ride to school was light-hearted and everyone was happy. Andrew knew where he was going, and Alie was happy that everyone else was happy.

We got to school and Andrew's seatbelt was barely off before he proclaimed "I want to say hi to Mason". We assumed Mason was in class already, and Andrew barrelled off all the way down to the class. Andrew looked around, trying to find a cubby for 'Andrew' in Mason's class. I explained that his cubby was over at Miss Angie's class down the hall. He reiterated that he didn't want to be in that class, but I coaxed him down the way with promises of a fun-filled day.

He was very relieved to find his cubby over at Miss Angie's room. (I think he just wanted to know that he belonged somewhere). He walked into Miss Angie's classroom and was immediately plunged into an activity. After snapping a quick shot, I said my good-byes, which he scarcely heard.

I picked him up at 2:30, and his teachers were raving about how well-behaved he was. (TOLD YOU SO!!!! Well, that's what I was thinking on the inside anyhow.) They said that he had absolutely no signs of sadness or disobedience, and that he even got to play with his old friends in the gym for 30+ minutes during PE. When PE was over, the kids said a simple good-bye and that was it. His teachers were shocked. (As was I!)

Through the resilient spirit and faith of a child, I take mental notes of what maturity and trust ought to look like. Now why am I having to learn this from my four year old?