He did it.

Last year I ran into an old childhood friend at the movies. Three minutes before our movie was about to start, she filled me in on her family, marriage, kids, church, and the preschool her church was starting. She encouraged me to bring Ally, raved on and on about the teacher, how fantastic and amazing she was, and how her own daughter would be in the class too, the same age as Ally.

A month later I got an email from her, reminding me about the school. I replied, not sure if I was ready to send Ally to preschool, I liked having her home with me during the day.

Another month passed and I got a voicemail from her, inviting me to come check out the classroom. I said I'd like to, but didn't schedule a time to go see it.

Two weeks later she called again to set up a time to visit the classroom. Ok fine, I will go.

LOVED the classroom. Organized and clean, my kind of place. Met Miss Amy, the teacher, who showed me the projects, activities and curriculum the kids would be involved in. I was sold.

I was so hesitant to send Ally, I was used to always having her with me all the time, until three weeks into the school year when I realized going to Costco with just one child was a breeze compared to hauling two kids through the store.

Ally loved every single second of preschool last year.

I loved every single second of only having one child for 2 1/2 hours, three days a week.

I begged Miss Amy to start a Toddler program. Please, I need a break Amy. Hudson is the busiest child on planet earth. And he was dying to go play in Ally's classroom.

Lo and behold, Amy announced she'd included Toddler Time into this year's schedule.
Hip Hip HURRAY!!

The minute I signed Hudson up I began worrying about if he'd actually stay. He has a bit of separation anxiety, and what I mean by "bit" is an extreme case. I've spent the last six months in the church nursery on Sunday's and have only left him with a handful of people because he has a complete melt down if he sees Dan or I leave.

But I was determined to spend two hours a week in solitude. Well solitude with Ally. His first day was Friday. Ally and I pumped him up all the way to the school. Ally encouraged him saying how nice Miss Amy is, and described in detail each toy in the classroom she thought he'd like. I reminded him what a BIG BOY he was, to be able to go to school with is very own backpack.

The room was all set up with cubbies, chairs, musical instruments, tunnels to climb in, stars and circles all over the ground, photos of the kids, and fun music playing in the background. I was ready to stay at Toddler Time, the place looked great! We walked in and Hudson immediately started gripping my legs holding on to Ally's hand. YOU CAN DO IT HUDSON.

I snuck out. Imagining him screaming and crying, I texted my friend Wendy. She encouraged me to be strong. "Ask them not to call you unless there is blood. You can do it....and so can Hudson."

I contemplated sitting in my car in the parking lot but remembered Amy saying how the first day is so important, no lingering and long drawn out goodbye's.

So I drove to Starbucks. No call.

Drove home. No call.

Made beds, did the dishes, started laundry, vacuumed, picked up toys, returned a few emails, made a few phone calls.. NO call from the preschool.

At 11:10 Ally and I drove back to the preschool. I peeked into the classroom and saw one of the teacher helpers holding Hudson. But no tears. He looked fine.

They opened the doors and released the kids to me. I eagerly awaited Amy's story of Hudson's tear filled breakdown and how he pulled himself together and made it to the end of class. No breakdown. She said he teared up a little but got over it! Hudson you big stud. You did it.

And now of course I love Miss Amy ten times more.