Madelyn’s First Day Of Preschool

Twas the night before Madelyn’s first day of preschool, and all through the house, a mommy was stirring — BECAUSE SHE’S A NEUROTIC WOODY ALLEN MOTHER WHO NEEDED TO BE SURE THAT HER DAUGHTER’S FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL EVER WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OF HER LIIIIIIIIIFE.

Mama’s got issues. That’s OK. It means I care too much. A lot.

The night before school, Bryan and I talked up the whole shebang.

“You sing songs ALL the time. You’re basically getting two-for-one voice lessons at Jewish preschool. Don’t you want to be the next Barbra Streisand?!”

“You’re going to make so many new friends! You LOVE playing with friends! It’s never too soon to start campaigning for Homecoming Queen Esther!”

“You get to eat lunch that we make together! Here, Madelyn. Let’s put in all your favorite foods like carrot sticks and organic apples, and baby broccolinis. Right? RIGHT?!?!”

We actually did make lunch together and it was fun! Normally I dread making lunches, especially my own for when I go to work AT school, but Madelyn and I teamed up. She held the bag and counted the carrot sticks as I dropped them in. And I gave her the choice of strawberry jelly or grape jelly on her sandwich. It was such a team effort.

And then I lost my marbles when I put her cute little owl lunch bag in the fridge. Because preschool!

"Oh, hi Cool Whip and eggs and grapes! I'm new here and I'm a hoot!"

“Oh, hi Cool Whip and eggs and grapes! I’m new here and I’m a hoot!”

So hard to believe that we have crossed the line into this little category. For months, BabyCenter has been sending me emails about Madelyn’s development because, you know, the Internet gods know everything, and the same folks who updated me on the produce in my belly, and the infant in my arms, and the toddler on my… everything… the same folks have been sending me emails subjected “Your Preschooler” since August. Eh eh — not so fast, Internet gods! My Preschooler was not in preschool because I felt she needed a little more time at home (i.e., we bought a house and we were po’!) but now those emails are like Shakira’s hips: they don’t lie! My little poppyseed has become a preschooler! I was so excited to watch her grow, make new friends (for all of us!), and, well, for me to get a manicure at 10 a.m. But yes, the whole thing was bittersweet because there’s something so unbabyish about taking your toddler to preschool. Madelyn is almost closer to kindergarten than she is to newbornhood. Crazy, that tick-tock of time.

My alarm was set to go off way too early on Preschool Day. Madelyn and I are used to sleeping until at least 8:30 or 9:00, so I was having major anxiety about what our morning would be like. Neither of us are sunnyside up when it’s time to wake before we’re ready, so naturally, just like you do the night before a super early flight and you have to get to the airport, I woke up every hour in a panic: “IS IT TIME?! HAVE I OVERSLEPT? DID WE SKIP PRESCHOOL AND ARE WE NOW AT COLLEGE?!”

I got myself up, managed to put on makeup and a bra — both things I usually don’t do before 10 — and then woke up Sleeping Beauty who was not impressed with the whole exercise. But I reminded her it was Preschool Day and she smiled super big. We got dressed, did our hair, and Madelyn was in a great mood. She had breakfast and we went over all the wonderful things she could expect.

Just before we left, we took The Picture in front of the door. Isn’t that a rite of a passage in and of itself? I’ve seen all my friends do this for years, and while I was tempted to do the same for Princeton before his first night of Obedience School, I skipped it and waited to be able to do this with my own (human) child. Today was the day!

Thankfully, she cooperated for the camera. Lately, she’s anti-paparazzi and has mastered giving “the hand.” She was in such a good mood, she posed and giggled and showed off her lunch box!

Memo to Alison in 11 years: This is for sure going in the Bat Mitzvah montage

Memo to Alison in 11 years: This is for sure going in the Bat Mitzvah montage

Madelyn's First Day of Preschool

Preschool2

Preschool3

Off we went to school where she frolicked through the playground to enter the bright and cheery classroom with her equally bright and cheery teachers and then it happened:

The Leg Hug.

Her arms gripped her Daddy’s leg like a hippie’s on a tree, and she would. not. let. go. OK, OK, so, she’s a little bit of a leg hugger and is usually slow to warm when entering a room anyway. No big whoop. We’ll ignore this behavior and get to know the room and the teachers and all that. Well, she gave the side eye to anyone who even so much as breathed the same oxygen as her in the room, and didn’t show any signs of unlatching.

Finally, one of the teachers got her to at least sit in a chair and she looked at the play dough while the other kids made museum-quality works of art out of it, but hey, at least she looked at it.

"Maybe if I look at this long enough, it'll do something."

“Maybe if I look at this long enough, it’ll do something.”

We had done all of our admin duties and made our way over to her for the kiss-off. A quick “goodbye and love you,” sealed with a kiss, and a promise that I’d be back in a little bit (three hours) seemed to do the trick. No tears. No hysterics. It was a perfect morning after all.

Love my big girl!!

Love my big girl!!

We drove off campus, Bryan and I looked at the “Schedule” the teachers gave us detailing a typical day of Madelyn’s class and we wished we were two, and then we went our separate ways for the day. I felt 28.7 pounds lighter when I realized I had a whole 2.5 hours ahead of me to do whatever I wanted and efficiently.

Bryan's going to propose this new schedule to his boss at work.

Bryan’s going to propose this new schedule to his boss at work.

Until 10:45 when I got a phone call that I should return to school. School gets out at noon.

Apparently, Madelyn had a bit of a roller coaster morning after we’d left. Thankfully, it wasn’t the tantrum kind, but she was sad and definitely asking for her mommy over and over again. She saw her beloved Mommy & Me teacher on the playground and had a hard time accepting the fact that she flew that coop, and was in a new nest with new wonderful teachers and new sweet friends. That adjustment must be hard for toddlers — to be at the same school, but in a different class with a different format and different faces — so I totally get it.

I came back in the classroom to find the kiddies eating lunch — and so well, I might add! — and Madelyn was a happy little girl. She was told that I was coming back and she perked back up. We ate lunch together and I was so impressed with her independence and the routines in the classroom which, as I could see, the seasoned teachers had well oiled.

Lunch time success!

Lunch time success!

We finished up the day with some circle time and some songs. I made sure she felt comfortable having me there, but didn’t want to participate too much and convey a Mommy & Me-type setting for her, so I gave her short cues based on her teachers’ directions to the whole class, and she settled in really nicely.

Madelyn participates at circle time at the end of the day!

Madelyn participates at circle time at the end of the day!

The end of the day came quickly, and Madelyn was in a great mood. Despite the rocky transition in the first half, I’d say the day as a whole was successful.

I’m so proud of my little preschooler and know we have many years of memories to make together in our preschool community. And she sang “Shalom Haverim” so beautifully, that Babs better be shakin’ in her boots.

  1. 2/16/2025 5:51 PM

    on Grand Cayman’s west shore.Chief among them is the freshly renovated Ritz-Carlton,??????

  2. 2/16/2025 1:17 PM

    Kids can look forward to the annual Breakfast with Santa,which includes a photo op and a gift bag,t ???

  3. 2/14/2025 9:47 PM

    I’m extremely inspired together with your writing abilities and also with the format in your weblog. Is that this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a nice blog like this one nowadays..

  4. 2/11/2025 3:30 AM

    In fact,Vaginismus can be caused by,????? ??

  5. 2/7/2025 5:08 AM

    ????? ??there was a car.It was a Honda Civic and the reason he was giving it to me was it was hot.

  6. 2/7/2025 12:35 AM

    ?? ?????Sharing these good times with you doubles the joy I feel.Wishing you a holiday season filled with love.

  7. 2/7/2025 12:26 AM

    they might not have been skilled role models when it came to teaching us how to listen and communicate.our caregivers may have inadvertently taught us the wrong ways to deal with our emotions,????? ??

  8. 2/3/2025 3:19 PM

    despite their diverse and complex histories and identities.????? ??Meanwhile,

  9. 2/3/2025 10:32 AM

    During testing the owners were instructed to say a word corresponding to an object before showing the dog either the correct item or one that did not fit the label.????? ??An owner might say,

  10. 1/24/2025 1:13 PM

    Serious Use Alternative 1 lopinavir will increase the level or effect of diltiazem by affecting hepatic intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism buy augmentin 1000 mg

  11. 1/4/2025 5:54 PM

    Lettuce,has perfect flowers and each floret produces a single seed so emasculating and hand pollinating each flower is not cost effective.???? ????

  12. 1/4/2025 1:32 PM

    ?? ???as used in this article,however,

  13. 12/11/2024 3:43 AM

    ?? ?????too,I guess.

  14. 12/11/2024 12:19 AM

    I recently bought a doll from Realistic Companions,and the unmatched realism and personalization options have left me thoroughly impressed.????? ??

  15. 12/10/2024 9:14 PM

    offering a robust foundation for readers to build upon.??????The clarity and coherence of your writing made even the most intricate details easy to understand and apply.

  16. 12/5/2024 12:02 PM

    After you have been whitelisted within our system,?? ????you won’t possibly get blocked once again by our firewall! Ban lifts also take impact routinely.

  17. 11/30/2024 3:32 PM

    Use a vibrator.??? ???This device can help a woman learn about her own sexual response and allow her to show her partner what she likes.

  18. 11/29/2024 1:22 AM

    how to buy generic cytotec without a prescription Dazl and Magoh2 showed a twofold reduction in expression Figure 7

  19. 11/21/2024 7:20 AM

    Alba E, Calvo L, Albanell J, et al [url=https://fastpriligy.top/]priligy pills[/url]

  20. 11/20/2024 2:44 PM

    enjoying gourmet cuisine with breathtaking views.?????Outdoor Activities Vacation WishesRent a kayak or canoe and enjoy a peaceful paddle on a calm lake or river.

  21. 11/20/2024 11:57 AM

    ????? ??Legend has it that in 1969,Chell adapted his beloved pasta with clam sauce into this zesty tomato-clam juice cocktail spiked with vodka.

  22. 11/18/2024 3:21 PM

    can be a healthy start to the day.Opting for a breakfast high in protein and fruits or vegetables can help make a person feel fuller and give them more avoiding sugar crashes and benefitting overall health.????? ??

  23. 11/18/2024 1:30 PM

    e.Summer,??? ?????

  24. 11/15/2024 2:14 PM

    2 Your partner actively tries to cut you off from your support network of friends and family.3 Your partner implies that you are stupid,?? ??

  25. 11/15/2024 11:43 AM

    know that there is no profile of who may be a sex offender.?????just because someone seems like a nice guy,

  26. 11/15/2024 10:51 AM

    Simply wanna remark that you have a very decent site, I love the style and design it actually stands out.

  27. 11/15/2024 4:49 AM

    making it easy to design a doll that matches my exact specifications.The level of realism is unparalleled,????? ??

  28. 11/15/2024 1:50 AM

    Learn a few phrases in the local language to engage with the locals.Take a guided tour to learn about the unique customs and traditions.?????

  29. 11/14/2024 11:31 PM

    Thank you, I’ve just been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?

  30. 11/14/2024 9:39 PM

    as well as tasty.????? ??Meals with others tend to include more foods from the 5 food groups.

  31. 11/13/2024 2:42 PM

    and you won’t have to interchange all?? ?? the doll if one thing have been to go wrong.

  32. 11/13/2024 1:01 PM

    ?????????????????? ?????????????????????????????

  33. 11/11/2024 1:28 PM

    I hope you have the best holiday season.????? ?See you next year!Keep it brief.

  34. 11/11/2024 11:17 AM

    priligy cvs crizotinib, everolimus, imatinib, pazopanib, sirolimus, sorafenib, sunitinib, tamoxifen, and toremifene, and numbers and percentages of patients receiving supportive care during each line of systemic therapy and after stopping active treatment

  35. 11/11/2024 10:32 AM

    Your dedication has made a world of difference this year.May your holidays be as special as you are.?? ?????

  36. 11/11/2024 8:41 AM

    to the earthly departed will be blamed for the failure or downfall of the narcissist.????? ??Once more it is never their fault.

  37. 11/9/2024 3:01 PM

    an ECC license allows the facility to provide additional care needed for residents to age in place as their mental and physical limitations change,which might otherwise disqualify them from remaining in an assisted living facility with a standard or LNS license.????? ???

  38. 11/9/2024 12:20 PM

    so every member of your team can find what they need:List View: A linear grid view that provides at-a-glance insight into who’s doing what by when.??? ?????Board View: A kanban board view so you can visualize each stage of work and manage agile teams.

  39. 11/8/2024 12:47 PM

    What are the better oral options priligy dapoxetine amazon

  40. 11/5/2024 10:44 AM

    With that in mind, I’ve spoken to a variety of ????? sexsexperts to set the record straight about different types of vibrators,

  41. 11/4/2024 2:48 PM

    The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.

  42. 11/4/2024 1:47 PM

    the researchers noted. However, when I ask Vaneet what he thinks,?? ? ????? I’m surprised by his answer. ‘I feel like when we can go too far the other side, being all,

  43. 11/4/2024 10:15 AM

    One couple is on a lounge chair about three over from mine,????? ???? the guy kneeling in the sand to do the damn thing. With the other pair, the woman is truly aspirational

  44. 11/4/2024 12:00 AM

    Some really interesting info , well written and generally user genial.

  45. 10/27/2024 10:17 AM

    Your ability to present a comprehensive analysis while maintaining clarity and coherence is truly commendable.??????Your comprehensive analysis has greatly enriched my understanding of [specific topic],

  46. 10/24/2024 1:47 PM

    This correct positioning makes a world of difference when it comes to sex.?? ?? In the meantime, all their other dolls (non-Amor) still have decent LHP.

  47. 10/24/2024 10:01 AM

    Customers can choose according to their preferences,?? ?? ensuring their doll meets their expectations while fulfilling specific requirements.

  48. 10/20/2024 7:51 PM

    and rooftop bars.No matter the season,??? ??? ??????

  49. 10/19/2024 5:45 AM

    the Lewisburg area’s epicenter of holiday splendor.t ???The 18th-century resort keeps visitors entertained with over-the-top decorations and family programming.

  50. 10/16/2024 12:54 AM

    sex ???u more than a pizza dripping with melting cheesy and yummy toppings,take it as a sign that you have found the one.

  51. 10/15/2024 10:43 PM

    ????? ??I hope people understand that all humans are expected to experience emotional reactions to difficult conversations about race or racism.In fact,

  52. 10/15/2024 3:42 PM

    2012.????? ? ?An ideal leader should have a healthy mix of both mindsets,

  53. 10/12/2024 9:15 PM

    yourself,and the ones you love.?????

  54. 10/10/2024 4:05 AM

    I determined that dogs know about 165 words or word-like signs and signals,which put them on par with a human toddler between 2 and 2.????? ??

  55. 10/6/2024 1:37 PM

    ???? ??The North Block Hotel in Yountville,Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley,

  56. 10/6/2024 11:08 AM

    a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa,??? ??? ??????a charming property that’s within walking distance of the Santa Fe School of Cooking,

  57. 10/4/2024 2:22 AM

    for a long time,I’ve been attuned to animals as beings with their own lives and experiences.????? ??

  58. 10/4/2024 12:34 AM

    it can backfire.A partner who has narcissistic tendencies often quickly manipulates the therapeutic environment by doing four things.?????

  59. 10/3/2024 3:16 AM

    ??? ??She’s in this sort of chess match with that callerHall who is making very strong arguments about—what’s the big deal if I’m feeling this way,and I’ve thought it through? You tell me the reasons why someone shouldn’t do this.

  60. 9/27/2024 12:59 AM

    How they’re made has changed a lot,????? sex using unique materials like silicone and TPE (a kind of plastic). These materials are strong, soft

  61. 9/26/2024 3:00 PM

    ????? ??The more a survivor is able to self-regulate in response to stress the more likely that these biomarkers of resilience will show up.In working on self-regulation,

  62. 9/24/2024 4:59 PM

    This could include allowing them to bring their pets to medical appointments,establishing community health clinics that partner with low-cost or free veterinary services,???? ???

  63. 9/24/2024 11:52 AM

    Sex as you age may call for some creativity.Use the following ideas as inspiration,???? ???

  64. Pattie
    1/7/2014 8:17 AM

    I so look forward to your updates! What a little trooper…MOMMY! haha. New friends, new adventures, growing up. It’s all part of the plan for kiddies and a really hard transition for moms! Book those mornings! Lots of mani/pedi’s, lunches, movies (if they aren’t too long!) Enjoy your mommy time, while Madelyn grows to love school!
    Love you all….

  65. Mimi
    1/6/2014 10:02 PM

    Dear Sweet Madelyn! I’m so happy that you had a busy & fun day in your new pre-school class. I love your schedule of activities & that you will have very clean hands. 😉 It will be fun/funny to look back on this big event/milestone & see that you are still friends or even went all through your school years with some of your new classmates.
    Starting with today, I can’t wait to be able to go to lots of your school events!!
    I love you! <3
    Mimi