School Days

Ben started preschool this Wednesday and I was a little nervous about how he would transition back into the school year. He really struggled last year and cried hysterically (seriously, hysterically...he would break out into hives!) when I would drop him off at school (which is at our church). Adding to my anxieties about the beginning of the school year, was the fact that the following conversation took place between myself and Ben about a week before school: me (with much enthusiasm and a cheesy grin plastered on my face): "Hey, do you know what you get to do next week? You get to go to SCHOOL and see all your friends." ben (looking very uninterested): "Umm, yeah, I'm not going." I was so amazed and proud of my big, brave, boy, however, when he popped out of bed Wednesday morning ready to go and singing our "going to school" song that we made up last year. He was so fired up and when I dropped him off he headed off to play with friends and barely said goodbye. He is getting so big! He had a great day at school, both Wednesday and Friday. No drama at drop off either day (Daddy even took him on Friday) and his teachers said he was well behaved. I'm so proud! One funny story from school on Wednesday, however, that proves that Ben truly is my child. The following conversation took place via the rearview mirror as we drove home from school on Wednesday: me: "So tell me about school? Did you sing any songs?" ben: "Yes, but I sang very quietly. Can I sing loud now though since it is not nap time?" me: "Uh oh! Let's talk more about nap time...did you sleep?" ben: :No." me: "Who did you nap next to?" ben: "Nobody . I had to sleep in the hallway because my teacher didn't want me to talk to anybody!!!" me (laughing inside and cringing because I am imagining similar conversations that surely took place between my mom and I 26 years ago): "Benjamin, were you talking during nap time?" ben: "No, I wasn't...but all my friends were." me: "Benjamin. All of your friends were talking. You were not, but you were the one who had to go to the hallway?" ben: "Yes." Likely story! Poor Ben, he comes about his talking gene honestly and I predict his mouth will get him in trouble many, many times over the years (much as his mommy's mouth did, and sometimes continues to, get her in trouble). One more Benny story. Not so funny, but nonetheless...Soccer started up again on Thursday. This time Ben goes on the field by himself and parents watch from the stands. Ben was doing an awesome job and really listening well and having a blast when, long story short, a bee flew into his shirt and stung him 3 times! Poor little man! Ben was very upset (understandably), but he rallied and went back to the field for the rest of class after getting himself calmed down. I was really proud of him for being such a big boy and continuing to work hard and have fun even after he was hurt. The best part, aside from the fact that we have confirmation that Benjamin is definitely not allergic to bees, is that Ben now yells at every bug we see "Don't sting me bee, I'm not a flower, I'm Ben!" We are off to Disney World next week so I am sure there will be many pictures and stories to come. Love to everyone and have a great week.