Jenni on Skype: jclayville 
Many of my friends have posted about their kids first day of school (Alli & Holly to name a couple) so I don’t feel as silly doing it now.
I’m not really a sentimental kind of a person. I don’t keep “keepsakes”. I don’t hold “sentimental value” to many objects, though I probably should (I’m actually a bit too quick at getting rid of the clutter – if I haven’t used it in a year… it’s going to Goodwill). I don’t cry easily at the thought of Chance growing up.
In fact, though I thoroughly enjoy spending time with him NOW as “my baby”, I’m most looking forward to seeing what kind of man he’s going to become. Maybe that’s just me being naive (some of you parents of high schoolers are probably shaking your heads right now) but I think that may just be how I’m wired.
Though I LOVE LOVE LOVE babies, and refuse to squander away any moment with my kids while they’re kids… I am more in love with seeing God’s final, or close to final, product. I’m not sure if that makes sense to you.
All that to say this: Today was Chance’s FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL.
Though I was far from the blubbering Mom, I DID bring my camera and did feel those little butterflies in my stomach for him. So many questions in my head:
- Will the kids like him?
- Will he like the kids?
- Will he go to the big boy potty by himself when I’m not there to remind him?
- Does he know I’m coming back to pick him up at 11:30?
- I hope he likes his teacher as much as I like her.
On the way there, he said to me:
“Mommy, I’m a little nervous about school. Can we just play in the backyard instead?”
I just wanted to eat him up, that was so cute.
Once we got to school, he was ok. He didn’t exactly go off running, but he saw Grant and Lukas there so he was fine. He was open to playing with toys, and though he was a bit clingy at first, he eventually let go so I could slip out. Here are some pictures:
Good thing Chance was with his good friends he’s known since birth. We got really lucky. We enrolled Chance in the same preschool as 4 of my MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support Ministry) friends. We started our MOMS group when our babies were just born and now they’re all going into Preschool at the same time. This is great, because Chance seemed to be a little less nervous once he saw Grant and Lukas.
I guess it’s human nature to fear the unknown… but the moment Chance said he was nervous, I wanted to protect him from anything that would ever hurt him. I knew, THIS WAS THE BEGINNING of releasing him into the world. This was the first day of really allowing someone else to influence my child. Today, I introduced my son to a world that can and WILL hurt him at some time in his life. Though my daily prayers are that Chance will choose Jesus to follow, I know that the doors to choose Jesus vs. the world are a bit more in his line of site starting today.
All this means is I’ve got to be more proactive about my son’s spiritual life. I can’t wait to hear all he has to say about school when I pick him up in an hour here.
If anything… Brian and I have already started saving up for his probable counseling sessions. At least we’re covered there 
How did/would you manage your firstborn’s first day of school? SHARE SHARE!
I totally had Grant in my You and Your Preschooler class! I loved him! That is crazy that you know him.
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No firstborn first day of school story … too long ago. But dealing with my daughter’s first week of middle school, and already someone who has been her friend for years is turning out to maybe not be her friend …. so I’m with you on wanting to protect them from the world … wanting to make sure know one ever makes them cry … wanting her to know how strong and loved she truly is … even if that stupid girl doesn’t know how great she is.
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Jenni-
Love you!!
Amen to being more proactive!! We feel the exact same way. I have found myself praying for Macy SO much throughout the 3.5 hours she’s away from me, praying for her day on the way to school, etc. So, how did Chance like playschool? Or is it preschool? I never know.
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Changing your question to my third-born’s first day in college, my thoughts are similar. Will he make friends? Will he like his teachers? I think he will be OK on the potty part without my prompting him.:o) Like Allie said, I just pray A LOT! Through every transition. It never stops. Most grow up and are wonderfuly capable and independent. However, they never outgrow the need to be prayed for.
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Jenni…
Grant totally had a good time with Chance at pre-school and I echo lots of your same questions! I’m glad they have each other. So how do you know Jenna? I read her comment and was so excited that “Teacher Jenna” (as Grant calls her) is one of your friends! He LOVED her in is swimming class he took over the summer and still talks about her. We tried to get into another swim class for this fall (hopefully with her), but all the classes were full. Small world. Tell her that Grant is a big fan!
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Good thing you gave him the cool hairstyle. I would have chatted him up as a 3-year-old!
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He’s so handsome.. I can already see it.. *sigh*.. my little nephew is going to be the heartbreaker hottness.. mmmmm. Thanks for posting this! Am so looking forward to seeing you in November!
xo
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