Today is the first day of Miles going to all day pre-K preschool. (Only three days a week thankfully! It’s a long time without him!) I laid in bed last night with eyes wide open vacillating between worrying and praying for my sweet boy and the year ahead. Last year was so hard with all those red flags flying around with Miles’ different behavior, but they have melted away as he has grown into his fourth year over the summer. John and I know Miles is ready for this and he’ll do great, we just couldn’t help holding our breath a bit today. Miles’ passionate imagination takes him in directions that kids don’t always understand or appreciate and instead of playing a game, he often wants to take all the little pieces and see what else he can create or take things apart to see how they come back together (or don’t!)

This morning as Miles ate his morning cereal I prayed this prayer:

Please God, surround my sweet boy with people who are loving, kind and patient with him. Surround him with people who understand and see his brilliance and who help him to shine. Surround him with people who “get” him.

Despite the rain that drizzled on us, we walked into school on a high note, with our good friends.

I figured that shirt would make a good impression on the first day of school. His ears haven’t changed a bit since he was a baby. They are precious.

He got the same teacher from his class last year and she welcomed him with open arms.

Our precious Kindermusic friends joined us this year. We love Aashi and Preeti! I love how John and Jocelyn are in the background watching on.

Taking off his backpack. The routine is old hat!

Figuring out the blender is serious business.

As I picked Miles up from school his teacher was all smiles with great reports on how he played with other kids, had a blast and listened well. Yay! Our teacher even sent out an awesome email with all sorts of great details on the day. What a difference a day makes as my worries have shifted to excitement for Miles’ last big step before school. I didn’t cry this morning, but it’s hitting me now how much he has grown. It’s so hard to really slow down and enjoy your first baby growing up. It’s mixed with so many fears and doubts. I really want to change that this year. I really want to stop worrying and just stay in the moment. That’s a pretty big assignment for me, but I think it will be worth taking on.

Go Miles! I love how you are growing into your own confidant self. You are a unique boy and I’m changing that worry about you fitting in to a feeling of pride of how you march to your own drummer with confidence and excited about where your own path will take you. We love you so much!