This is picture tells the entire story. I am almost tempted to leave it here. However, a bit of text and context will help to bring some of the wonderful elements of the day to life.
I didn't put the girls to bed last night so when I went into their room this morning at 7:00am, I was unprepared for the hysterically funny sight of seeing Allegra's first day at school outfit carefully placed on the floor between the two beds. She had taken the time last night to place the garments on the floor as she was intending to wear them so that all she had to do was wake up and jump in! In fact, she even kept her sleeping gear to an absolute minimum in order to make the process easier. To say that she was filled with anticipation and excitement as she prepared for this new adventure is an understatement.
Aurora was considerable more mature about selecting her outfit - although she had planned it a week ago. She got up, dressed in an outfit that was befitting a 4th grader and grandly made her way down stairs. The one thing that gave her away and showed that she is still a lovely little girl is that both she and Allegra elected to wear their new Wednesday socks that we bought last week. This particular day is bright Orange, which could not match any outfit!
After breakfast, we took the short walk across the street to school where the girls were instructed to meet in the courtyard. Allegra held onto my hand tightly and was understandable a little nervous. Aurora on the other hand seemed to gain confidence and strength with each step. By the time we turned the corner leading into the courtyard, she was practically running! The moment she saw her new friend Rachel, she was off. She did not look back once. Sven, Allegra and I stood there and just watched. We were pleased and a bit...at a loss as it all happened so quickly.
Allegra took a bit more time, mainly because the children in her class were doing what she did with me - cling onto my hand. However, when it came time for Sven and I to take a tour of their classrooms, Vicki Seastrom, the Admissions Director came to the rescue and took Allegra by the hand and lead her over to the rest of the class. Incidental, the girls have had the great fortune of getting to know Vicki during the summer as a result of the proximity of our house to the school. She is wonderful.
Sven and I viewed the classrooms and were warmly greeted by other parents. I have to say, they really did make us feel so welcome. It was wonderful. It particularly helped me a lot as, being a new parent and this being my first day of sending children to school, I was really nervous! It was the strangest thing as I had not anticipated it and when I found myself standing there, concerned for little Allegra, feeling slightly unsure in my new role as mother figure as this was all so new to me and just not entirely sure what was going on, I found myself to be quite unsettled! Yet elated.
Sven and I then left the school and went about our day.
I was tasked with collecting the girls at the end of the day, which I was really looking forward to. However, when I returned from shopping at 3:15, I walked into the house to find Aurora and Allegra already there! What happened? Apparently, school let out at 3:05 and not at 3:25 as I had expected so the office manager walked them home. Ugg! Not a good way to start a new year in a new school as a new parent. When I told the girls that I had the times wrong, initially they looked at me blankly. I made a feeble joke about it but I think it will take a bit of time before it is dropped. Fortunately, my brother was home at the time.
The girls had a wonderful day at their new school. Allegra's favorite part was drinking water. In truth, she returned home so tired from all of the new impressions that when asked about the day she had nothing really to report. Except that it was fun.
Aurora liked poetry the best. Along with Arabic. She found the teacher really expressive and funny and took great delight in showing us how her name is spelt in Arabic.
All in all it was a great first day.
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