The big day finally arrived: Annabel is officially a preschooler!
When I woke her up yesterday morning, she actually groaned at first, like some kind of teenager. But when I said, “Annabel! It’s time to get up for school!” She sat straight up in bed, threw her arms above her head, and yelled, “YAAAAAAY!” It was almost impossible to get her to eat breakfast, she kept saying, “Can we go yet, can we go yet?”
After she was dressed, I gave her a small heart I sewed and stuffed. I told her that even though I knew she was going to have a wonderful time, if she ever got sad or missed us she could squeeze the heart and know we love her so much.
She helped me pack her lunch:
She said goodbye to Rigby:
Then it was time for photos. First up, she wanted a picture with her very special Lalaloopsy lunch bag that she’d chosen herself:
Then she asked to take a picture with Daddy and James:
She didn’t ask to take a picture with me, but whatever, Annabel.
The preschooler:
When we got to school, I signed her in and pinned her name tag to her shirt.
She looked a little nervous, but then she saw two little girls standing near each other. She said to me, “Mommy, I’m going to go say hi to them.” She walked over and I heard her say to the girls, “Hi, my name’s Annabel, want to be friends?”
When we walked into the classroom, Annabel found her cubby and put her lunch in it. She saw the toys, books, and games and squealed, then turned to us and said, “Okay, see you guys later.” She gave James a kiss and said, “Don’t miss me too much, Jamesie!” And then she walked over to a table full of kids and PlayDoh. She didn’t look up at us again.
So, she was fine.
Meanwhile, Mike was like:
When I went to pick her up later, she ran up to me and immediately started talking. “Mommy! We didn’t get to paint! I played on the jungle gym! We sang songs and read a Llama Llama book! I played with PlayDoh and my lunchbox broke! JAMESIE! Did you miss me, Buddy?!”
I got whiplash listening to her.
It was weird being at home without her. Verrrrry quiet. James napped. I sat on the couch and thought about cleaning (I didn’t). Someone else sat by the door, waiting for Annabel to come home.
There was a bit of post-school exhaustion, but otherwise I’d say preschool was a huge success. She can’t wait to go back.
Lilian says:
Well, you both should pat yourselves on the back. You have raised a smart, talented, and independent kid! She’s just awesome. I just loved the stuffed heart idea Heather! I really think that you and Mike should compile many of your entries about your style of parenting into a book. I think it would sell a load!
roshan says:
There goes our girl, on her way to make many new friends and learn so much more. She was so little just yesterday and now she is out there all by herself, on her own. She will do well, I know it.
Annabel Vita says:
That dress is so, so gorgeous! It sounds like she had a great day. Enjoy the peace and quiet with the teensy one!
Hayley says:
Wow, she looks so grown up!! Enjoy preschool Annie!!
holly says:
Her lunch box broke?!?! On the first day?!?!
Christina Bathan says:
I thought the same thing when I read this…..
Heather says:
Yeah, the purple box thing I put her lunch in. It’s not surprising since it was from the dollar section! I am going to order her a proper bento box that won’t break.
holly says:
HUGE BUMMER since I purchased 4 of them (two for each of my kids in anticipation of dishwasher hold over) just last week. And they were NOT in the dollar section of the store I got them at. More like between $4 and $5 each.
Heather says:
Well, if your kids are older than Annie I think they won’t break it. And, the break was fixable, she just broke the black clip part off. I’m still going to use the box, but I’m looking for something easier for her to open. The two parts are a bit too complicated for her.
Meg says:
I highly recommend Laptop Lunches. They are caffeine-deprived-adult-frustrated-in-office-proof, which makes me think they’ll survive a toddler.
Heather says:
Oh, I will check these out! Thanks for the tip!
Elizabeth says:
Glad she had an amazing first day! And I LOVE her dress! Where is it from?
Heather says:
Target!
Jennifer says:
Just dropped my oldest daughter at college. Strangely similar. Good luck to Annabel. I love following your beautiful family.
Heather says:
aw, congrats! Bittersweet but an amazing accomplishment!
DefendUSA says:
One of the best things we can do for our kids is send them off to preschool or Kindergarten and they don’t cling to your leg, cry, etc…and when they wave goodbye with a smile, you know you’ve done it. Yay, Annabel!!
DefendUSA says:
PS…Annie may not have asked for a pic with you…but you’ll be the one she calls incessantly when she goes away to college!
RzDrms says:
Is that your *handwriting*?! Wow; freakin awesome.
She’s adorable, Heather. Thank you for sharing!
Heather says:
That’s my handwriting on the lunchbox!
Mommy says:
Love her dress and her purple bento box! Would you mind sharing where you got it from?
Looks like a great first day!!! I love the little heart so much. You are an amazing mommy!!
Heather says:
Both are from Target! I wouldn’t suggest the box for little kids – it was too hard for Annie to open, and then the clip that latches it all together broke off. I need to find something easier for her!
Amy says:
Nate doesn’t start until Thursday afternoon. I hope he will let me take just one picture of him. The shots you got are gorgeous! Way to go Annabel!
Jenn says:
AAhh – I’m so happy she did so well. I knew she would – she’s so social and secure with amazing parents and support at home. I love it when little ones get some excited they stumble over their own words!! Will she go every day/mornings?? So proud!!! GO ANNIE GO!!! xo
Heather says:
She’ll go twice a week, just in the mornings!
Mel says:
I love the heart idea. I used to always kiss the palm of my boys hands and then told them to put the kiss in their pocket because that way they always knew that I was there.
Heather says:
OH! That’s so sweet!
Michelle says:
Look for the book, “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn. It’s a great book.
Sharyn says:
Congratulations! Here’s a suggestion about the heart: when my daughter was in kindergarten I gave her a silver heart charm on a necklace. She still wears it every day, in 8th grade. And, I was smart enough to buy a backup to replace the first one when it got damaged.
Heather says:
That’s so sweet! We gave Annie a tiny heart charm after her brother was born, but she’s still a little too…careless…for me to let her wear it when I’m not around. Hopefully by kindergarten she’ll be ready!
Desera says:
I am so in love with this post! Love the heart idea; love her clothes, her hair….just EVERYTHING! You are the most amazing mom to your kids!
Nellie says:
Oh what a precious, beautiful, smart and social butterfly of a Pre-School girl you have! I remember being happy for my daughter’s 1st day of Pre-K and having the peace and quiet in the house…then conveniently broke down in tears because I missed her to pieces!
Forgot to mention that your Annabel is one very stylin’ little girl too!!
Maris says:
She looked so cute! Glad she had a good first day. The heart idea was a good idea. Also, the lunch was adorable.
Beth says:
She is one of a kind. I bought those lunch boxes from Target and my daughter says it is too hard for her to open. Did Annie have any problems opening it?
Heather says:
Yeah, it was way too hard for her to open. I’m pretty sure she needed one of her teachers to help her. I’m going to find something a little bit easier!
Amy says:
Glad she had a great first day! Does she have all day preschool? I’ve never heard of that offered by a school before (excluding daycares, of course). Around where I live the public and private schools are just starting to offer all day kindergarten. And then there’s the whole wording: preschool, pre-k, etc. I find it very interesting how much early education varies by region, state and country. I’m curious how much curriculum varies, too.
Heather says:
She’s just going in the mornings a couple days a week! I think around here it’s preschool when they are three, and pre-k when they are four (or the year before they enter Kindergarten)!
Alexandria says:
So stinkin cute! Love her enthusiasm. Enjoy your me time as you see the time flies.
Lisa says:
So this isn’t even my kid and I actually got misty eyed reading this post. It all goes by just too quickly. Glad it went well for all of you.
Kathryn M. says:
As a preschool teacher myself, sounds like she’s going to have no trouble at all Yay Annie!!! PS. I love the Llama llama book too.
Chris says:
I love love love the little stuffed heart idea. That is the best thing I’ve ever heard of. I wished I had thought of that. Annie is so cute, so glad the first day went well.
Shelly says:
Reading your blog inspires me to be a more creative parent. The heart idea, not to mention Annie’s adorably packed lunch, is so sweet and thoughtful. You & Mike are really amazing parents! I love that Annabel was so social and had no problem asking other children to be her friends. She sounds like she is such a hoot. I was the same way when my son went to preschool-sad & a little lost but he loved it! I’m so glad Annie does too.
Also, I have to say that these are some of my favorite pictures you’ve ever posted. Gorgeous! And Annie’s hair is the envy of grown women ever, lol.
Shelly says:
Or, of grown women everywhere, whoops!
Heather says:
Seriously, I want her hair!
Nanette says:
Love this all! Yay, Annie! And yay, Mommy, Daddy, Rigby & James! xoxo
Joelle says:
so…most importantly? what brand are those shoes she’s wearing?! I need shoes for my twin girls and those are the most adorable i’ve seen!
Heather says:
They are Sketchers, courtesy of Grandma K (Mike’s mom)! They light up, so Annie thinks they are the Most! Amazing! Thing! Ever!
Lauren says:
You must be so proud of her confidence!
Bianca says:
Wow, she totally aced her first day. But we all always knew she would :p So glad she had such a lovely time
Tami says:
Wow she is so big. I cant believe she is in preschool . I loved all of the pictures. I loved the heat idea as well!! Your such a good mom Heather, she is going to do just fine in school. She’s adorable.
Anna says:
I swear she is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! I bet her teachers love her so much already!
Skye says:
OK, this has to be the cutest back-to-school blog post ever! Everything is adorable: her enthusiasm, her outfit, her sweet little red heart, the speech bubble photos. I’m cracking up over James’s face in the one with him, you and Annie! He’s like, “Why’s my sister getting all the attention? What’s with all these photos? Can we please go back inside?”
ldoo says:
That is so so cute! My 3-year-old just started, too (hers is all day, 5 days a week cause I work). I hope Annie doesn’t do what my little one did the first week – wake at 5 a.m. every day ready to go to school. Ahh!
miriam says:
Oh the cuteness! I love her dress, love it. But more than that I love her spirit and joyfulness. Thank you for sharing her with us
Can’t wait to hear about all of her adventures in preschool.
Meg says:
So sweet, and so glad she had a good first day! Holy cow, they grow up so fast.
Lenora says:
Yay! I was looking forward to hearing how the first day went. Love the heart idea and her dress. Before you know it she’ll have a ton of friends. Love Rigby waiting for her!
JS says:
I hope you guys are feeling great about how smoothly Anabel separated from you. I used to teach preschool, and now teach kindergarten, and it’s always the well-adjusted kids who feel comfortable saying goodbye to their parents, and trusting them to come back. Congratulations!
Jeanie says:
Awww, that was sweet. Her little dress is adorable, and I love the heart idea.
Annalisa says:
Whoa, they let you pack goldfish? Wherever I’ve taught, schools have often frowned over anything premade (goldfish, fig bars, bags of cookie goodies) being packed in the lunchbox. Then again, it might have to do with the fact that I always end up in cities with a high quota of health nuts. One district banned anything candy, period.
Heather says:
Wow, how pretentious! We can pack whatever we want, as long as it doesn’t include nuts.
Annalisa says:
Like I said, it probably had to do with the school districts I worked at. Even public school districts can prohibit all sorts of things, since mostly school policies are as local government as it gets. What’s funny is that even those school districts still participated in the federal school lunch programs, where some of the food can in some ways be more abysmal nutritionally than the occasional bag of chips… Go figure.
I have to say that working in the one school district where kids couldn’t even bring cupcakes in for their birthday really sucked, but the kids just got used to it (us adults, not so much :P).
Annalisa says:
(And by that, I mean that on my birthday that year I brought in chocolate cherry bread and shared it with the kids anyway, with the excuse that it was hardly passable as an actual sweet treat, since it had as little added sugar in it as challah bread. ;))
Paula says:
The looks on James’ face? Priceless. I don’t think he wants anything to do with any of that school business. He looked like he wanted O.U.T.
Annie’s excitement is awesome! I hope she keeps it! I still can’t believe she’s even old enough for preschool. Wow.
Tell Annie I said to enjoy preschool and I hope she gets to paint soon!
Meg says:
James & Annie are very cute, but the picture that got me is Rigby sitting at the door. Oh. I just want to scoop her up & cuddle her (I know, that’s not what she does, but she looks sad).
Jordan says:
1. I want that dress and those shoes in grown-up sizes, please.
2. The heart idea is beyond precious. What a sweet comfort!
3. Love how you cut her sandwich!
You’ve got a bright, social kiddo on your hands. What a cutie! Congrats on a happy, successful 1st day, here’s to many more!
Jordan says:
and also: Rigby OH MY GOSH. I’m a junior in college, and my Mom says our 8 y/o pug sits and stares at the door every day for a WEEK once I move back to the dorm. Every time. It breaks my heart, but makes me happy knowing how much our doggies really love us
Lenora says:
Yes, I loved the Rigby picture. My sweet dog Jake would sleep by my bedroom door for awhile when I went to college many moons ago.
kakali says:
way to go Annie!
Kristin says:
Congratulations to you ALL on a great first day! She is adorable!
Jolene says:
CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!! OH EM GEE! I love everything about this. I couldn’t help but jump ahead and imagine my daughter on her first day of preschool…she’s only 10 months and I’m SO not ready for that But I do hope she is bright and independant like your sweet Annie. Is it weird that I already have a heart cookie cutter to cut her sandwiches when she starts school? Did I mention she’s only 10 months? Congratulations to you and Mike for raising such a beautiful and smart little girl. And yes, can I have her outfit (not to mention her hair!) please?!
Donna P says:
I have no words…she is growing up very quickly and this is so touching. Gorgeous!
Dianne says:
I ***HIGHLY*** recommend the boxes from http://www.easylunchboxes.com as they fit into Annie’s style of lunchbox and the lids stay on…yet little hands can easily open the box lids. When I have put my son’s foods into Rubbermaid or other plastic wear, he ends up dumping the food while he tries to open the container. Lots of tears, lots of drama. That’s why I love these – the EasyLunchboxes are awesome! I put a frozen Capri-sun or a “flask” shaped bottle (I found some BPA-free plastic flasks to freeze water in and they have a fabric sleeve over top to control the “sweating”) on top of the box and it still fits into the zippered lunchbag.
If you want to put something like yogurt into a section, just put a piece of wax paper across the box and then put the top on – the wax paper adds enough thickness to hold the top on and keep the liquid in.
My kids have been using their EasyLunchboxes for three years now (dishwasher washed every night) and only one has a cracked lid. But that is what happens when your son sits on his lunchbox everyday!