SLOANE'S FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

We did it!! And by we, I fully mean we, because this felt like a huge moment of transition for Ken and myself, and for our whole family.  Even Logan is going to have to get used to going to daycare by herself now!

It was really nice having the day yesterday off to get some cleaning and errands done (we finally have a working oven!) and to prepare for Sloane's first day.  We made sure all of her papers were put inside her folder and placed inside her backpack, went over important numbers, laid out her clothes and talked about what she thought today would be like. After dinner and a bath, we watched "Inside Out" and teared up watching it. There was an intense round of questions and answers from Sloane and Logan after the movie, and after lots of hugs and kisses, pajamas and washing up, we sprinkled magic confetti under Sloane's pillow (from her teacher) and tucked them into bed.

This morning, we got up earlier than usual but somehow it still felt like a rush. Part of it may have to do with the fact that my heart was beating fast the whole time, but it was very apparent, as it has been for the past few months now, that Sloane had no anxiety or fear about her first day. She was relaxed and very excited. I thought I might cry seeing her get on the bus or watching her walk into her classroom, but I was so overwhelmed by the feeling of newness mixed in with anxiety and excitement, that tears couldn't get through. It felt like the feeling you get when you are swooping down on a rollercoaster: you are gritting your teeth (with excitement?) but the stomach drop overcomes your body and there is no space for anything else except being rushed along in the moment.

Afterwards, I took Logan to her daycare (with Logan constantly asking, "Where's Sloane"?) and it wasn't until my drive back, while listening to NPR's "What's Bugging You?" segment about mosquitos and ticks, that I got teary-eyed. What a big change for her and for us! I feel sad for the chapter of our lives that is ending, but I also feel extremely proud of her. I know she's going to do so well with school, and I feel so lucky that Ken and I get to be alongside her (and with each other!) as she grows through this process. I can't wait to see her so I can hear all about her first day.