Winnie's First Day...

"Twas the night before preschool..."

Winnie paced nervously as she lay out the special outfit she picked for her first day of "School". At bedtime she excitedly climbed under the covers, filled with the anticipation of her big day. She woke up at 4 am, then again at 6:00 complaining of a tummy ache. Two rounds of Tums helped, but she was still too nervous to eat the scrambled eggs I made. As we arrived in carline I reviewed the procedure with her, told her I loved her and wished her a great morning. The door to the car opened and I helped her out, bracing for the hugs and tears that I thought would surely follow. Then, as I explained to her teacher that Winnie had a bit of a tummy ache this morning, my darling 3 1/2 year old preschooler marched right on by me and her teacher and headed into her classroom like she'd been doing it all her life. No goodbye mommy, no hug or kiss, no tears (except mine). With other parents waiting patiently in their cars behind me and an upset Tigger in the car, I had to go. So off I drove, glancing nervously back into the classroom just in case she realized she had left me behind. Nope, she was happily chatting with her teacher and hanging up her bag. My shy little Winnie has blossomed into a confident little preschooler. Who knew? She did.