Today was your first day of preschool. I can't believe that you are old enough to be in school everyday.
Here is what happened:
Last night, long after you were asleep, your Daddy and I went into your room and prayed for you. I prayed for your safety. I prayed that you would make new friends. I prayed that you would remember that "the Lord is your helper" (Hebrews 13:6) and I prayed that you would have a "spirit of power, love, and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7).
When I woke you up, you were very excited. Yesterday, you and I made a schedule for you to follow this morning. We put it up on the refrigerator and you checked it first thing. You followed it perfectly--eat breakfast, brush teeth, wash face/hands, get dressed, brush hair, pack backpack and put on shoes.
We started a new tradition this morning. I bought a special blue plate (blue is your favorite color right now). Every time someone has a birthday or a special day, they will eat off of the special plate. You ate your breakfast from it (turkey bacon, eggs and chocolate milk-at your request). The rest of us ate off of regular (OK-paper) plates. I think you were proud.
You put on your new outfit that you had picked outfit earlier in the week and said "Oh yeah." You love that outfit.
After plenty of pictures, we were on our way. In the car, your Daddy asked if you had butterflies in your tummy. You said "I have frogs in my tummy." I knew what you meant because I did too.
When we arrived you started getting a little bit nervous. You were glued to my leg and when we were taking you outside to get settled, your eyes started filling with tears. I took you aside, knelt beside you, put my hands on your arms, looked you in the eyes and said "You're going to be all right." (I was doing everything I could just to hold myself together!) Emma, you were so brave-not one single tear fell from you eyes. I took you outside-you settled on a bouncing horse-I kissed you goodbye-and you were fine.
I, of course, was not--As soon as I hit the door, the tears came and kept coming. I was telling Grandma about it this evening and she said "I know. Sometimes it's hard to be a Mom isn't it?" It is.
I think it was hard on Daddy too. We had really tried to make this day special for you and he said "I just wish we could make her feel this special every day." He loves you so much.
Caitlin asked "Where's Emma?" all morning. As Mimi says, she has been "your shadow and your echo." This is going to be different for her too.
Sweetheart, I just want you to know how proud I am of you. You handled it beautifully. I love you to the moon and back, to the stars and back, all around the world and back and to infinity and beyond! Now I'll start praying for Monday!
Love,
Mommy
