It's Over

Well, it's official. Friday was Henri's last day of his 3 year old preschool class. After a weekend of deliberation and his reaction as we went to leave for school this morning... we made the decision to withdraw him from preschool. While it's not the child I expected to want to stay home... I guess I'll be homeschooling after all.

Heartbreaker

Since Henri started preschool, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday have been the same. He always asks me "Where we going?" and as soon as I tell him "school".... he starts crying and telling me about how he doesn't want to go to school. Of course, I try my hardest to comfort him and tell him about all of the fun things he's going to do while he's there and even reassure him that I will stay for a little and play with him... but nothing I say or do helps.

So today, for the 6th time, I took Henri to school. He stays pretty close to me and keeps an eye on what I'm doing. I watch him play play-doe and help him get situated, but then there's the moment when he realizes that I'm going to leave. He suddenly becomes very clingy. I hold him and love him and tell him all the things he needs to hear. As I attempt to leave...Holding him, I try to pass him off to his teacher... only to have him hold tighter. Arms around my neck crying... "I don't want go school." I pry his fingers apart and hand him to his teacher. Screaming and crying... arms reaching for me... he looks at me in despair and desperation. I give him a kiss and tell him I'll be back.

I cry because I don't want to go... I don't want him to cry... I want to take him with me... and make it right. Only thing is... I'm not sure what is right.

Two First Days

This morning, Henri had his first day at preschool. We've been talking about it for awhile and the past week, I tried to "prep" him as much as I could for what was going to happen. Before we left the house, he told me that he was "scared". I stayed with him in his class for about 20 minutes and had to leave to take Chase his snack at school. Henri wasn't ready for it. He cried and cried.... it made my heart break. After about 15 minutes, I called to check on him. They said he was calming down. Thank goodness. I, then, for the first time in years went shopping by MYSELF. It was nice. When the time came to pick up Henri from school, I got on my bike and rode up to get him. He was the first one out and he looked so whooped. He was happy, but he just looked sad in his eyes. We hopped on the bike and he said, "Don't go too fast for me.". At that point, I'd do anything he asked... just want my happy, P&V Henri back. We had lots of fun on our bike ride and he told me "I love you" a million times... which hasn't stopped all day.

After Henri and I picked up Claire and Chase from school, Claire had dance. Based on how she ended dance this summer (bad attitude), I was nervous whether or not she would take the classes. I was happily surprised to see her walk right into the class and participate with great enthusiasm!! After her ballet and tap, she asked if she could stay for the jazz class. The boys (well, mainly Chase) were spent after 2 hours of being at the dance studio. But, Claire had lots of fun dancing with Miss Christy and meeting some new friends.