This past week marked a huge milestone in our family:Andie’s very first day (and week) of preschool at Church of the Redeemer, just a few minutes’ walk from our house in San Rafael. What made it even more special is that her first day happened to fall on her 2nd birthday, Wednesday, August 13th. Two candles, two years old, and off to her first big adventure. To say we were all nervous would be an understatement. Andie was hesitant, Mom was anxious, and Dad… well, I was somewhere in between.
We already love the school. It feels like an extension of our neighborhood with familiar faces, caring teachers, and the perfect place for Andie to begin developing those much-needed social skills with kids her age. She’s part of the Sprouts class, attending half-days. That means mornings start with breakfast, getting ready, and then a short walk with Mom and Dad. Andie hopes that eventually Teddy and Pea will get to join us on the walk too.
That first day was a rollercoaster. Andie didn’t really understand where we were going, but Mom did, and her heart was heavy with nerves. Once inside, Andie’s curiosity took over as she explored the toys and watched the other kids. But the moment we said goodbye, reality set in. Tears came. And not just from Andie. Leaving was harder than any of us imagined. Still, like most kids, Andie slowly found her footing.
Mom tried to distract herself with a few hours of work before rushing back to pick her up.When we returned, Andie was clearly drained and still adjusting, but when she heard Tina call out “Hi sweetpea,” she looked up with wide eyes, a mix of shock and relief. Then came the flood of emotions, with tears pouring out in a fit that tugged hard at our hearts. The walk home was quiet but comforting, with Teddy and Pea giving Andie the warmest welcome back.
The rest of the day looked more like a typical birthday for our little girl. She had a snack (a pouch, of course), went down for a nap, and then we slipped into our usual evening routine. A walk with the dogs, dinner together, a bubble-filled bath with “La Vaca Lola” playing in the background, and finally pajamas, a book, and “night night,” as Andie calls it.
Not your traditional birthday party, but one she’ll always remember in her own way — the day she turned two and became a preschooler.By the end of the week we had all grown a little more comfortable with this new chapter. Andie is learning to adapt, we are learning to let go, and preschool has officially begun. Here’s to many more Sprout mornings and all the adventures ahead.
TLDR;
First week of preschool = big tears, bigger hugs, and the start of something sweet for our little Sprout.
