d's first day

my d has been waiting her entire life to go to preschool.  her momma has been in no hurry.  it's funny how it changes from kid 1 to kid 2.  with e, i was excited for the first day, but with d i sort of wanted to put it off for as long as possible.  it's not that i don't want her to explore the great big world without her momma, it's just that i know she has lots of time for that.  she doesn't have lots of time to stay safe in the confines of the pre preschool.  the world could wait, as far as this mom was concerned.  but alas, i knew the time had come for my 3 1/2 year old girlie to begin the academic adventure that awaits her. 

and so a few weeks ago, my d began her journey into the world without her mom.  she was excited to finally use the backpack that she received last year for chirstmas.  although she doesn't really need a backpack, she toted it none-the-less.  the night before she had a mild case of "but momma, what if's".  it was the typical slew of questions, but sort of uncharacteristic for this little bug.  once she sorted through her worry list,  she was good to go.  on the big day, she asked "how long until i leave?" about 3000 times.  since she attends in the afternoon, so it felt like years in the life of a 3 year old.  she made it, though.  and off to school she skipped.

she posed for her obligatory "first day of school" snaps with excitement.  having watched her sister do this for the past few years, she knew it was a rite of passage.  it was a rite of passage that i believe she secretly coveted.  for the first time, this photo was about her. 

as i drove her to school, i started to get nervous.  notice it was me- not her...  yep, that's right it was the momma with the "giant sized butterflies".

and then off into the world she went.

she loves that she has something "unknown" to share at the dinner table each night.  she loves that she has her very own picture day and book fair.  she giggle about her new friends and her sweet teacher.  she's good and for her, all is right in the world.