~Back to School~

Another brief interruption from my never ending recap about our All American Roadtrip.  This is too exciting to wait.

My sweet little man started preschool today.

Last night we talked about the day ahead and laid out his special back to school clothes and backpack.  After family prayer Nick offered him a Priesthood father's blessing, which made him really defensive.  It kind of baffled us at first, but I quickly realized he was just nervous and needed it explained.  After Lyssa (who was jumping up and down begging for a Father's blessing) showed us how it was done, I turned to the Book of Mormon scripture stories and found a few pictures and instances where blessings were given.  That seemed to calm him down and he agreed that in the morning before school he would like a Father's blessing.  Then we read "The Kissing Hand" and tucked the little ones into bed.  I could tell he was going to bed with the wheels in his head turning, a little nervous, thinking everything through.  I love that he's a thinking man.  Always has been since he was tiny.

This morning bright and early he came upstairs dressed, excited, and ready for the day in his brand new Spiderman t-shirt.  We made our favorite fresh blueberry buttermilk pancakes (a special thing in our house as I rarely cook at breakfast time... cold cereal all the way) and talked about his exciting day.  Afterwards Nick gave him a father's blessing and we headed out to take a few pictures!

All dressed and ready to go!

Lyssa pleaded to have her picture taken too, and then proceeded to dance around and be a goof ball.

We arrived with almost 15 minutes to spare.  (I have the feeling that 15 minutes will disappear over the next few weeks...) Nick offered to stay in the car with Lyssa, but she insisted on coming in too.  I got Alec all settled and checked in and he was ready to play!  A big high five and hug for Dad, a quick hug for sister, and a squeeze for Mommy.  Then he gave me a "kissing hand" and I gave him a "kissing hand" and we said goodbye.  He instantly turned and walked away looking for toys with his hand up pressed against his cheek and I almost started crying.  "Mommy loves you.  Mommy loves you."
When Lyssa realized she didn't get to stay she pitched the BIGGEST FIT EVER.  Nick quickly took her out but we set the teachers in a panic, thinking it was one of the school children losing it, chasing after a leaving parent.  I reassured them all was well, and kept reminding Lyssa in my sweet mommy voice that when she is 3 next year she can go to preschool.  The entire car ride she cried about not wanting to go home and wanting to go to preschool like a big kid. Oh the woes of being almost twins... but not quite.   

Alec was so happy when we picked him up.  The first thing he said was "Mommy!  We had recess and I learned about EVERYTHING!"  Over cupcakes from the Carefree Patisserie (his choice and my pregnant stomach was happy to oblige) he reported that he learned about the weather and fall season, his teachers are really nice, he saw a dragonfly at recess, ate goldfish and applesauce for snack, only talked to the boys, and had lots of fun.

It all sounded just about perfect and I couldn't ask for anything more for my sweet little man's first day of preschool.