Milestone!

Gavin's first day of preschool at The Scottsdale School was today! Our friend Elaine helped to facilitate getting us in on one little available Tues/Thurs slot, and we are so thankful to have Gavin at such a fantastic school. We got our "in" on Thursday morning, so Gavin and I ran down that morning and got him enrolled before we embarked on our camping adventure. Nothing like getting in at the last minute! We met his teacher, Miss Ali, and saw the classroom. Dylan and I talked up going to school all weekend, and I took G and G2 out yesterday to get Gavin's haircut and buy some new shoes and a lunchbox. He seemed excited, but when we got to school this morning, he decided that he was no longer excited. Also, he woke up way too early so his mood wasn't the best. But, he was all smiles when I picked him up in the afternoon! Miss Ali said that he had a really good first day. He was quiet but participated in everything. I told her not to expect him to be quiet for very long. He also had a cupcake snack because it was somebody's birthday, and when I asked him whose birthday it was he said, "It was that grill's birthday."

We are both excited!

He started getting a little nervous

His classroom...he's a little apprehensive

My mom, always at the right place at the right time, caught this sad/funny moment when we said good-bye. He wasn't always happy when I left him at Dawn's but always recovered quickly, so I wasn't too worried.

I know a lot of people view back-to-school milestones as a reason to mourn their baby getting older. I get it. I totally get it. I just don't see it that way. I see it as a reason to celebrate the person they've become and to be excited about the adventures that are to come. For Gavin, this day was an especially welcome milestone. He's not a baby. He's not a toddler. He's a little boy, and very, very special little boy at that. The last three years have had their ups and downs, but this boy has grown up so much, and I am just so proud of him. We usually really enjoy each other's company. Gone are the days of me playing constant defense against his intense moods. (Well, this still happens, but not every day.) He makes me laugh, and he's a perfect little companion. He loves his mommy so much, and it's refreshing and just the sweetest thing. We've reached a new phase of life, and it is just so good. Going to school for two full days a week will be perfect for us. I cannot wait to see what he learns and explores over the coming months. Plus, I'm a complete school nerd. The idea of a new school year has me just as excited as when I was a kid, and I plan to be involved as much as possible!