the mansfield family: first day of school

So last Thursday was the first day of 2nd grade for John, and... the first day of preschool for my Sammy!! I had officially prepared myself for this day for quite a while and I knew that it would be hard to watch Sam go. Necessary, but hard none the less. I was totally shocked when Sam woke us up, very early, that morning with a blazing hot fever. I was very disappointed because I felt ready to let him go, and I knew that I would have to re-prepare myself over that weekend for the following Monday. John woke up bright and bushy tailed but was also very nervous. When I drove him to school, the car was very quiet. When we got out of the car and I walked him to his classroom he looked very scared- kind of like a deer caught in the head lights!! That first day will never get any easier for me and for him I am sure! Once we got into his class and found his seat we waited for his teacher, Mrs. Padron to come and greet us. She actually already knew who John was, probably because I am at his school every day and is used to seeing me! When I went to pick him up that day, she said he did great and that his previous teacher had told her so many good things about John. She said she knew she would have no problems with him!! That is such an awesome thing to hear from a teacher who doesn't know your kid. Actually, when I was talking to his 1st grade teacher the other day she told me that she had been checking up on John and that he seemed very content in his new class. Isn't that nice that she cared that much about him to see if he was o.k. She also told me that Mrs. Padron already loved John as she had. Good stuff!

He is getting so big and handsome. He is such a good boy and makes me proud each day!

So that is John. Sam on the other hand had a very tough 1st day at preschool. He was fine until we got into the classroom. He clung a little bit tighter to my leg when I introduced him to his teacher Mrs. Bohannon (Mrs. Julie). I signed him in and we proceeded to the room where they have a big colored carpet where they start their morning with singing and reading. When we entered the room, he lost it! He started crying and pleading with me to "not leabe (leave) him". That is heart breaking. So I sat with him for about 5 minutes when I knew I had to leave. The crying was getting worse. His teacher assured me that he would be fine. I peeked into the window and one of the aids was holding him. That made me feel better. I continued to hear him cry all the way to the gate "I want my mommy". Those were 3 very long hours. When I went to pick him up, Mrs. Bohannon said he did excellent. He only cried for a few minutes and when he saw the other kids playing with the blocks he decided to join in the fun. They called his name and he came bouncing around the corner just as happy as can be! He cried Tuesday-Thursday mornings, but it got quieter and less each day. On Friday morning he told me "I'm not going to cry today" perfect!!! He kept his word. He actually went to the other extreme and told me not to walk him up. Ha Ha, funny boy- that's not happening! Any ways, he is doing great and is playing nicely with all the girls and boys.

This was the first day that Sam went to school. I love the way he adores his brother. He really does look up to him as you can see!

He has to wear a uniform- and he is so cute in it. I really like him in a white polo and tan shorts.

This was before reality set in and he realized that I was taking him to school and I would be leaving.

These pictures are later in the week. He is modeling his many "uniform fashions"

Mr. Max and I have had a great week also. It is so great to see his true personality come out when he has one on one attention from his mommy. He has been so easy and happy. I'm sure he feels like a little king! He has never had the attention that he deserves being the youngest of three. He has suffered from that also. He had been really aggressive and very impulsive lately. He is under constant attack from his brothers so I think that he has learned to strike first. We will be working on him and will be bringing out the sweet boy that he is.