Tomorrow morning, you start your first day of school. It's kind of a big deal.
Some might argue that this is "just" pre-K instead of "real" kindergarten. And while kindergarten certainly maintains an air of big-kidness - you will be going to pre-K five days a week. And you will get there at 7:30am and get picked up at 2:45pm. Monday. Through. Friday.
And this is a big adjustment for us both. We've been very fortunate to have always had lovely people to help take care of you at home. I've watched you grow and learn and blossom your whole life and I do not have any doubt that you are going to LOVE school. It's just the way you're built.
But, I know you. And I know that you can feel shy sometimes, and nervous and unsure. And I know that sometimes you don't know how to deal with those feelings, so you hide behind my legs, or you stare at the table when someone is talking to you. And because I know you feel those thing sometimes, it's hard for me to think about leaving you everyday. I don't know what I'll do tomorrow if you get scared and ask me not to go. But guess what? You won't. Because any of those feelings are going to melt away before you realize it and you are going to have a whole classroom of new friends before you can say "I'm Abby-gail Shachmunt" as you tend to do.
And you're going to learn new things. So many new things. I'm excited to watch you grow in a new way. I'm excited to pack your lunches and see projects you do at school, to hear about the adventures you have and the friends you make. I can't wait to bring snacks to your class or watch you participate in a school play or race or bake sale. I'm excited to start this new chapter of our story together.
You will always be my first baby, and so everything that is new for you is also new for me. It's fun sharing the journey with you and figuring stuff out as we go. For example, you start school in the morning and I just remembered we have a bunch of summer homework we were supposed to turn in tomorrow. That's my fault, but I bet you won't mind doing a little coloring with breakfast, right? See? Lesson learned. Already.
Abby, I'm bursting at the seams proud of the little girl you've become. You're going to love school. I have so much more I want to say, but I don't have the time or brain power to figure out how to say it right now. Just know that we love you, endlessly.
I hope you have a fantastic first day of school.
I love you so much,
Mommy
