We've had some more firsts around here lately...
1. First day of school
There are actually two "firsts" in this category. The first few pictures are from our come and go to give Lily a chance to see and play in her new classroom with her classmates. I got to stay with her on this trip. We were both pretty excited! Her teacher had come to our home for our initial meeting a few days prior to us going to the school. Lily took to her right away so was looking forward to seeing Ms. Julie again.
There are actually two "firsts" in this category. The first few pictures are from our come and go to give Lily a chance to see and play in her new classroom with her classmates. I got to stay with her on this trip. We were both pretty excited! Her teacher had come to our home for our initial meeting a few days prior to us going to the school. Lily took to her right away so was looking forward to seeing Ms. Julie again.
Ready to go
Loves playing with the Little People toys
Playdough? Why yes!
A cash register with money and a toy phone? Yes, yes!!!!!!
The back of Lily's school shirt
Then the very next day we went for our first "real" school day.
Our very first "First Day of School" picture. I can't wait to have her hold this sign for each school year!
We got there a bit early so we stopped outside for one more picture. Lily was really feeling fine, she just wasn't in a smiling mood this morning. By this time, I was the one with butterflies in my tummy.
Mommy didn't get to stay for this day. I had my instructions on what to do when we got to the classroom from my newsletter. I knew I was to help Lily put her backpack in her cubby, put a labeled diaper in the basket, and give a hug and kiss goodbye. Ugh, I was dreading the goodbye. Not sure how Lily would react since we had tried the daycare at the gym a while ago and that did not go well at all.
It's was so surreal to be the parent on this day. After 22 years of being the teacher and telling the parents that everything was going to be OK and their little one would be just fine, I was on the other side of this event now. Things were now different because it was my daughter going through this. She's only been here for seven months. She's two, not seven or eight.
I was braced for tears, screams and clinging on to me. I helped Lily put her purple and pink backpack into her cubby labeled with her name and picture. While I put a diaper out into the basket, Lily went to Ms. Julie and to wash her hands at the sink before playing. As I turned around, Lily was already playing so I went over, knelt down and said, "Mommy's going to go to the store and I'll be right back. You are going to stay with Ms. Julie and play."
And then....no tears. No screams. She just turned and wandered off to keep playing. So I turned and walked out. That was that. Then I just had to wait a few hours to see if she held up.
I did some shopping and enjoyed a coffee at Starbucks. It was so strange not to have my sidekick with me. A few hours later, I returned to pick her up, anxious to hear from her teacher how she was. Not one tear was shed the whole time. Lily would play and then from time to time find and go to Ms. Julie to make sure everything was still ok. Lily likes the reassurance.
So no tears and a successful first day! Such a contrast from Lily in China who would not let me out of her sight and would sleep laying on top of me so she knew where I was. Lily now knows we are her forever people and we always "come right back". Such a big concept to "get" in seven months. Lily understands FAMILY and that couldn't make me any more happier!
The afternoon got even better when once home, we received some pictures from her day! Oh, that makes a happy mommy!
Painting at a table with all boys. Watch out Daddy!
Sliding by herself. This is huge!
She just started going down small slides by herself recently.
The day at home ended like this...
I guess she's worn out from a tough day at school!
Actually, she just wasn't watching where she was going and bumped into the counter.
Then the very next day we went for our first "real" school day.
Mommy didn't get to stay for this day. I had my instructions on what to do when we got to the classroom from my newsletter. I knew I was to help Lily put her backpack in her cubby, put a labeled diaper in the basket, and give a hug and kiss goodbye. Ugh, I was dreading the goodbye. Not sure how Lily would react since we had tried the daycare at the gym a while ago and that did not go well at all.
It's was so surreal to be the parent on this day. After 22 years of being the teacher and telling the parents that everything was going to be OK and their little one would be just fine, I was on the other side of this event now. Things were now different because it was my daughter going through this. She's only been here for seven months. She's two, not seven or eight.
I was braced for tears, screams and clinging on to me. I helped Lily put her purple and pink backpack into her cubby labeled with her name and picture. While I put a diaper out into the basket, Lily went to Ms. Julie and to wash her hands at the sink before playing. As I turned around, Lily was already playing so I went over, knelt down and said, "Mommy's going to go to the store and I'll be right back. You are going to stay with Ms. Julie and play."
And then....no tears. No screams. She just turned and wandered off to keep playing. So I turned and walked out. That was that. Then I just had to wait a few hours to see if she held up.
I did some shopping and enjoyed a coffee at Starbucks. It was so strange not to have my sidekick with me. A few hours later, I returned to pick her up, anxious to hear from her teacher how she was. Not one tear was shed the whole time. Lily would play and then from time to time find and go to Ms. Julie to make sure everything was still ok. Lily likes the reassurance.
So no tears and a successful first day! Such a contrast from Lily in China who would not let me out of her sight and would sleep laying on top of me so she knew where I was. Lily now knows we are her forever people and we always "come right back". Such a big concept to "get" in seven months. Lily understands FAMILY and that couldn't make me any more happier!
The afternoon got even better when once home, we received some pictures from her day! Oh, that makes a happy mommy!
She just started going down small slides by herself recently.
The day at home ended like this...
Actually, she just wasn't watching where she was going and bumped into the counter.
2. First day of gymnastics
There's just not anything as cute as watching Lily at gymnastics. She LOVES it the whole time we are there and that's for 45 minutes!
A few pictures before leaving:
Walking out to the car. Backpack on and she's ready!
A quick walk on a beam
These are from the second class we went to:
Watching the end of another class before it's her turn
Such a better straddle already! Way to go Lily!
There's just not anything as cute as watching Lily at gymnastics. She LOVES it the whole time we are there and that's for 45 minutes!
A few pictures before leaving:
These are from the second class we went to:
3. First time at a "fancy" restaurant
We met some friends the other night for a "fancy" dinner. By fancy I mean, there weren't a lot of kids and the menu didn't include nuggets or hot dogs! We weren't sure how long Lily would last so we actually took both cars. We figured we would eat and then I could take Lily home and get ready for bed while Michael stayed and visited for a bit. Once again, Miss Lily surprised us. We sat and ate and visited for 3 hours and she was perfect! No need for both cars as we all left at the same time.
We met some friends the other night for a "fancy" dinner. By fancy I mean, there weren't a lot of kids and the menu didn't include nuggets or hot dogs! We weren't sure how long Lily would last so we actually took both cars. We figured we would eat and then I could take Lily home and get ready for bed while Michael stayed and visited for a bit. Once again, Miss Lily surprised us. We sat and ate and visited for 3 hours and she was perfect! No need for both cars as we all left at the same time.
A quick selfie before leaving
Daddy and his girl
Love this view!
Two happy people right there!
New phone, new app and new friends make for a
happy little girl
happy little girl
4. First tantrum outside the home
I know what you are thinking...Tantrum? Sweet Lily has tantrums??? Yup. Just like any other two year old. I know, shocking, right?? At least we know she's right on schedule with everything.
We are thankful though, because it really is not in her nature to do this often. Thank goodness!
So back to the tantrum, the lay down on the floor, on your back and scream tantrum. And cry. At Target. All because I wanted her to ride in the buggy. How mean is that???? Why not let a 2 year old walk around the store with me? It's not like she would touch and grab at EVERYTHING. And yes, an employee did come by and check on us because she thought Lily fell and was hurt. The way she was screaming, I probably would have thought that too.
But being her Mommy, I knew what was going on and I was going to win this one. Luckily even though she's gained some weight, Lily is still pretty light so I picked her up, put her in the buggy and off we went down the aisle. I wasn't going to let a little screaming interrupt my shopping adventure. About 5 seconds into our shopping, the crying just stopped.
Hhhmmmm.....riding around in this cart isn't so bad after all!
So sorry I didn't capture this event with pictures. The whole thing was quick. Although while it was going on, it felt like it lasted as long as it took me to run a half marathon which is a long time! :)
5. First storytime at the library
We finally made it to the library for storytime this past week. Lily loved getting animal crackers on the way in and enjoyed the stories.
Great posture Lily!
First time to use glue
Yes, that's an ice cream cone and Lily wanted the second scoop of ice cream to go on top of the cone. I had to bite my tongue and stop myself from moving it to the correct place. Her artwork was a little more original than everybody else who had the helping hands of their mommy.
We finally made it to the library for storytime this past week. Lily loved getting animal crackers on the way in and enjoyed the stories.
Yes, that's an ice cream cone and Lily wanted the second scoop of ice cream to go on top of the cone. I had to bite my tongue and stop myself from moving it to the correct place. Her artwork was a little more original than everybody else who had the helping hands of their mommy.
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