Ella's First Day of Pre-School

Ella has been waiting for this day for a long time! We've picked out her backpack and lunchbox together, talked about it all, met with her teachers last week, and she couldn't have been more excited this morning to get the show on the road! 

She asked me last night to paint her nails..... how could I tell her no?! Yellow for the first day of school! 

 

 Carter was really excited for Ella too. Over breakfast this morning he was telling her all about how her day would go. "You'll get to have a snack and you'll get to do centers, then you'll have lunch and play outside, and Mommy will come and get you after rest time!" He's an old, seasoned vet when it comes to preschool, and I thought it was so sweet that he was showing her the ropes and genuinely excited for her. I was a little sad that Carter wouldn't be around for 1st day pics like Ella always has been with him, but I was able to snap one after breakfast. Ella had already half-stripped down, and Carter was headed out the door, but we got one!

 Here are the rest I took of Ella a little later. 

She just looks so big!!

 Happy, happy!

 And there's my silly girl......

 She requested silly faces.

 So big waiting outside her classroom

 She went right in, sat down and got started playing. I snapped a few pictures, said my goodbyes to her, and slowly wandered out. She didn't even bat an eye, just sat and played and waited for the rest of the kids to come in. If there was ever a little girl ready for school, it was her!! She did flawless.

I told Eric I wasn't sure which was harder -- having your child cry for you not to leave (like Carter has), or having them be so big and confident and sure of themselves that they don't. I choked up a little walking to the car, and shed a few tears once I got there. It just hit me how big she has gotten. I guess it's a good thing I have another one coming soon, ha!! 

I've been thinking about her all morning, and can't wait to pick her up. I know she'll have a great day and love every minute, and can't wait to hear what kind of stuff she has to tell me later. In the mean time, I'm going to enjoy my day to myself, get a few things done, then rest and relax knowing both my babies are in great hands. :)