My little boy is not so little anymore - First day at School

Today was the BIG day. We got up at our usual time and Josiah got to snuggle with Mommy for a little extra time today. He was so excited to be going to school. He even picked out his clothes to wear without any arguments. I can't believe he picked the red shirt over the blue shirt since anyone that knows Josiah knows that blue has been his favorite color forever. He had an unusual breakfast of chicken nuggets - his choice and then we got dressed and in the car to school. He wanted to carry his Spiderman backpack and his Shreck lunch box all by himself. Again another unusual thing for him. We got to school and I had my hands full and he was carry all his stuff so for the first time in as long as I can remember, I did not hold his hand in the parking lot. Boy, he is so sharp. Almost instantly he says, "I know I'm a big boy now because I don't have to hold your hand in the parking lot, Mommy!" What do you say to that? We stopped outside to take some more pictures and then proceeded to the office to sign in. We were just a little early like every other preschooler starting today so we had to wait until exactly 9:30am before we were allowed to go to the classroom. At 9:30am we all walked down the very long hall to his room. Out side the class was an apple tree with every child's name on an apple.

Josiah's teacher, Ms Knipp met us at the door. She invited everyone to find their names on their new locker and to put their backpacks and lunch boxes away. The kids were then instructed to find the desk that had their names on it and to sit and color while everyone got ready for the day. Josiah was happy to color for just a few minutes and then wanted to explore the room. I told him that he was going to have to listen to his teacher and do what she said. I took a few more pictures and then gave Josiah a big kiss and said I would be back later to get him. I thought he would do really well until right when I was leaving, Ms Knipp told him that it wasn't play time and that he was going to have to sit at his desk. At that he looked at me and said, "Mommy, I dan't want to go to school! I want to go home!" I think the thought of having to listen and obey his teacher hit home and he knew he had had it good at home. On the way out the building the janitor said that I didn't look sad enough to have just left my child. I was free for a couple of hours. don't get me wrong - I love my son and I love spending time with him, but the thought of grocery shopping all by myself was exilerating. Of course I didn't go to the grocery store. Instead I went to visit a friend for an hour and then went home to do the dishes - alone. At 12:30, I went back to the school to pick Josiah up. WhenI got there he was sitting on the mat packing his lunch bag into his backpack. I heard Ms. Knipp say, "Where is Josiah? Oh, he's on the mat doing exactly what I ask him to do!" That was a sweet moment for me.

He ran over to me, gave me a big kiss and said, "Hi Mommy." He told Ms. Knipp thank you and that he was coming back to play tomorrow. He had a grand time in school. Walking out to the car he said he was sad that he didn't get to play on the playground and that tomorrow he was going to ask when could they do that. I told him that was a good idea. We walked hand in hand to the car and came home for lunch. He is now worn out and sleeping in his bed. Praise the Lord for a wonderful day.