Big Changes for Our "Big Girl"

Well, it's that time of year again - back to school! Only, this year, Lyla is heading to "school" as well. Complete with her tiny backpack and adorable lunchbox, she strutted confidently into Premier Academy yesterday for her first day with Mrs. Ashley and Mrs. Cheryl in the "Upper Ones" class. She's not quite the right age to be considered "upper" (18-months +) but she will be soon enough, and we figured it wouldn't be worth all the transition trouble in a month to have her readjust to new teachers and routines.

Despite the early rise time and lack of breakfast, she was off to a good start, wanting "inside" as soon as possible. She bolted toward the toys and was immediately surrounded by a few curious faces, all poking, pointing, and sharing exciting toddler gadgets with her. But she soon decided she was fulfilled by this magical place and promptly sought out Mommy, demanded "up" and thoughtfully told her new classmates "bye-bye," all smiles. It took some coaxing to get her playing again, and sufficiently distracted so that Mommy could slip away. Peeking in a moment later, she was clinging to Mrs. Ashley with a look of desperation on her face, her knuckles white where she grabbed hold of Ashley's shirt. And if it hadn't already cracked a little by this point, Mommy's heart split open and burst into a million pieces. Just like that.

And so began the worst day ever. It was very difficult not to fly over to school and rescue her, but our grand plan was to spend the week before Mommy goes back in transition, in hopes that going back to work might be a smidgen less difficult. I called about three times during the day and forced Luke to call once so I didn't look like a nut, although the staff at the school seem very supportive and understanding of how insanely hard this really is. Those check-in calls proved to be more upsetting than comforting, though, as Lyla was never in a good state. She wasn't uncontrollably upset, but she was out of sorts - weepy and confused, not eating, not drinking - all day.

Today and forever, Luke is taking her. Reports this morning are worse than yesterday, which we expected, since she knows what's happening. Last I heard, Mrs. Ashley was taking her for some one-on-one time. Sounds like a good plan...

It'll take time, I know, but it doesn't make me (or Lyla) hate it any less.

Lyla's first day of school, classic "in front of the fridge" shot.
(She didn't like the backpack or understand why she was supposed to stand in front of the fridge.)