that was then, this is now

Today was Grace's last day of "school" (mother's day out). I got so sentimental this morning thinking about how much she's grown over the past year and how much her world will change in just a couple of weeks as our family of 3 becomes a family of 4 with Hudson's arrival.

These were taken on her first day of school back in September 2008. My little pumpkin was just 18 months then.

It's all fun and games...

...until it's time for Mama to leave. Then the tears (no, make that sobs) began a few minutes after I left and lasted for several weeks! It broke my heart and I seriously thought of pulling her out thinking she wasn't ready to be away, even for just 3 hrs. twice a week. But slowly and with the help of a new book packed in her little backback to help her transition during those crucial first 15 minutes every Tues/Thur, she started to like school.

She went from telling me "no school" and "mama, Grace go home" to knowing which days were her school days and talking about "playing with my friends" and even "let's go already" while waiting for me to get her out of the car on school mornings.

These were taken this morning (age 26 mo.) right before we left to go to school for her last day in the 1 y/o classroom. She couldn't wait she was so excited for the special activities of the last day...playing in the "jumpy jump" and eating the special happy meal lunch they were having at their party today.

She talked about her classmates (who are all now 2 years old) and her teachers sweet Mrs. Veronica and Mrs. Laura, and when it was time to leave, she didn't want to go. What a difference a year makes! Can't wait to see how she does come September. But from what I can tell, she'll be alright. After all, she's already made friends with the 2 y/o teachers by uninvitedly (is this even a word?) perching over the bottom half of their split door every time I pick her up just to wave at them, "see what those big kids are doing", and tell them all "bye friends" :)