For the longest time, one of my three-year old's funniest phrases has been "Carmen's at school, honey." It's something he absolutely learned from me, because he would ask about our next door neighbor every single time we passed her house on our walk. And, being almost two years older, she started preschool shortly after they moved in and was gone a lot, which Connor just didn't seem to understand. He wanted her to come over and play, like she did the first few weeks they lived there.
Well, earlier this year, he added a little bit on to it. It became, "Carmen's at school, honey. Connor go school, too?" It was as though he thought that was the fun place to be, if Carmen was there, and he suddenly wanted to go, too.
We weren't sure, for a couple of reasons. Mostly, it seemed a little silly to pay money to have him in school when I stopped working to "take care of the boys" instead. It also sounded like a logistical nightmare. The program we had our eye on runs from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And the idea of getting three boys ready that early (sorry, we're just not morning people around here) and getting him to school for a few hours only to repeat it again right at lunchtime seemed a bit much. Not to mention the little guys now have therapy two to three days every week right after lunch!
But, given our son's energy and curiosity of late, and feeling like it would be a good idea for him socially to be around other kids his age, we called and put him on the dreaded waiting list. He was number 19 early this summer, which seemed like a long shot. The little guys, who we also placed on the list for the same social reasons, were numbers five and six, respectively. They seemed to have a much better shot, though we weren't sure they would even go for it if they got in. They have a bit more attachment to home and Mommy than Connor has ever had.
Well, life seems to have a funny way of working itself out. The preschool called this morning to let us know there was an opening for Connor if we were still interested. Yesterday was the first day, and apparently a slot was left open. We took it, and tomorrow we will begin his journey of "Connor go school, too!"
It's a little scary, thinking about leaving him somewhere unfamiliar. But that's probably just his mother talking. Because if I know my son (and I think I do), he's going to love it. There will be lots of new people, new toys and fun things to do. He will get a chance to do something that doesn't include his two brothers, like everything else in his life. And he gets the chance to be a big boy in another new and interesting way. Like I said, I think he's going to love it.
And, if I know my twins, they're going to love it too. Hours of uninterrupted play without their older brother teasing and tormenting them. More Mommy time shared between just two instead of three. And a ride in Mommy's truck four more times every single week to drop off and pick up big brother!
Good stuff, all around.
