Dolly School Day

First things first; waking up to rain is one thing, waking up to snow and rain is another. The snow didn’t stick and there wasn’t a lot of it; it was just falling, mixed with the rain. I didn’t order the snow and I don’t want it. Wouldn’t it be great if we could vote on whether we want snow in the winter or not? I’d definitely campaign on the side of 75 and sunny all year ‘round. Thank goodness the ugly weather didn’t last very long this morning because it was Dolly’s first day of school here in NY and we were both pretty nervous.

Nothing was confirmed about school until this past Friday and Dolly wasn’t all that thrilled to be going again. She’s been all alone with me every day since we got here and just doesn’t want to give up her mama. I was dreading this morning since we found out she’d be starting because I figured there would be a fight over getting up and getting dressed. It wasn’t too bad but there was some resistance. We had to leave before the boys got on the bus and most mornings I won’t be able to put Ty on the bus. Dolly has to be at school when Ty is getting on the bus; but Zach doesn’t get on until 45 minutes later so I should be able to be here for him. Then I have to leave to pick up Dolly just before Ty gets home.

It really sucks not having a bus for Dolly because it’s a waste of gas for me, and because Kara and I have to make sure one of us is here when the boys get off the bus. Why don’t schools think of issues like this when schedules are made? And why doesn’t the Federal Government (the funding agency of Dolly’s school) consider such issues when deciding what to keep and what to cut from the Head Start budget? If I were living in my own place, I’d be screwed. As it is, we’re trying to decide the best person to take Dolly to school tomorrow morning – Kara or me. Kara has things to do all day tomorrow so we have to work our schedules to where she gets to her meetings and errands, Dolly gets to and from school, and someone is here to meet the buses when the boys get home. It’s a bit confusing for a second day of school. We’ll figure something out; no doubt.

What I was originally going to talk about, though, was Dolly’s first day. I got her to the school right on time but she wouldn’t let go of my hand for anything. We walked around the classroom with her lead teacher to see where everything was and then she washed her hands to get ready for breakfast. She was really overwhelmed because there were so many parents there helping their kids get ready to eat. That’s never been the case before; most of the parents would just drop off their kids and go.

So she took a little seat and I helped her open her cereal and put milk on it but she wouldn’t eat. I had to feed her the first couple of bites; she was almost afraid to move. I felt so sad for her. Then she started to cry which, of course, caused me to shed a couple of tears. I sat on the floor next to her chair and she put her little head on my shoulder and cried softly. I talked to her about what a fun time she was going to have and how she’d make new friends but she wasn’t buying it. Then her teacher sat with us and talked to the other kids at the table about what they did over the weekend. When she asked Dolly about her weekend, Dolly told how she celebrated Ty’s birthday twice and had cake and ice cream two times. That seemed to cheer her up a bit but she still wouldn’t let go of my hand.

We had “free time” while the other kids finished up eating; all the kids do, once they’re finished eating. Then her teacher rearranged the job board and Dolly gets to be the line leader for the week. That’s pretty much so she can be near the teacher and feel a little more comfortable. She was happy about that but not about me having to leave. They were lining up to go play in the gym; with the weather the way it was they couldn’t go outside today. I explained that I’d have to leave when they went to play but she didn’t look happy. So I gave her a few kisses and hugs, and a kissing hand to keep my kiss safe in case she needed it later. They went off down the hall and I came home.

When I returned later to get her I was told that she did great and it was like she’d always been there. I found that hard to believe because I knew she’d probably been asking for me during the day. I was right; one of her teachers said Dolly misted up a few times and asked when I’d be there to get her. That sounded more like Dolly on a first day of school. When she saw me standing in the classroom door she came over, jumped into my arms, and hugged onto me really tight. When I asked how her day was she just stared at me. I had to ask questions to find out what they did and she brightened up some on the way home but she wouldn’t talk to anyone here when they asked her how her day went.

When I told her that Kara might be taking her to school tomorrow she was okay with it. She’s excited to be able to show Kara her classroom. Maybe it would be better if Kara takes her so she won’t be so clingy. We’ll see. It just breaks my heart to see her so sad and scared; I wish there was some sort of mommy magic to take the hurt away, regardless of the situation. I do know that Dolly will be fine after a few days of school. She’s my social butterfly and makes friends wherever she goes. Before I know it she’ll be talking up a storm about all of her little classmates and the fun things they do during the day. I’ll make sure to pass along all the pleasantries; I’m sure she’d like to know that all of you are smiling with her.

Until next time…peace to all.