My Little Nook: Aidan's first day at kindy

Today was Aidan's first day at kindy. We didn't intend to send him to kindy this year. We thought next year when he'd be 4 (though technically only 3 cos he was born in Dec 2005). Last month, the principal of the kindy Sean attends encouraged me to consider sending Aidan for their 3 year old programme (it's called Sparklets) as they had an intake in June. Aidan was really excited about "going to school with kor kor" as he puts it.

He was really stoned this morning when I gave him his "nan nan". He actually rolled over and continued sleeping after he finished. I told him it was time to go to school and he immediately struggled to get out of bed. He was still pretty stoned at the sink getting washed and ready. It was really quite comical, the Garfield eyes and all. Once in uniform however, he was all raring to go. He called out a cheerful "Bye Daddy! See you later!" as we left the room.

At the breakfast table, he looked at his bowl of Honey Stars and said in an exaggerated voice, "Honey Stars! Beautiful!"

In the car, he was excitedly chatting and even let out a "Yee-ha!". At one traffic light, he commanded me to "follow that back hoe!" Sean was contently listening to his favourite playlist from the backseat.

When I pulled up at school, he asked in a small voice, "Can I bring Bear-Bear?" Now, I've prepared him beforehand that he can't bring his "Bear-Bear" and "Leon the Lion" to school. I reminded him and he quietly placed the Bear on his car seat and walked into the school, all excited. Teacher Michelle could not help but smile as he walked in...he looked so cute in uniform.

I was there throughout the assembly. Aidan was excitedly checking out the whole place (read: not participating in the assembly but wandering around). Just as the assembly was ending, he dashed into Sean's classroom. Teacher Betty told me it's ok, it's his first day and that they'll be able to handle him. So I snuck out and hid outside at the school porch.

Assembly ended and the students "choo-choo trained" to their classes. I could hear Aidan loud and clear - he doesn't like to "choo-choo train" because he doesn't like others hanging on to his shoulders - "Wei!" , "Go away!" , "That's not fair!" and "Where's mummy?"

They got him seated with the rest and proceeded to hand out the snacks. I could hear him asking for me and he sounded upset. I peeped and he was looking around for me, looking teary eyed and pouting. *sigh* My heart went out to him. My little boy looking so small and lost. Teacher assured him "mummy will be here soon". I left then. All in all, I hung around for about 45 min and he hadn't cried.

He was excitedly waiting to go to the playground with Sean when I arrived at dismissal. I asked Teacher Michelle how he fared. She smiled and told me that he cried after a while. "I want mummy! I want mummy now!" She carried him and he stopped crying. Put him down but he wanted to be carried. He told her, "My leg pain" (his typical excuse to be carried). Teacher asked him where and he pointed to some scar on his leg. He stopped crying for me when he was kept busy with things to do but would cry once the activity ended. Overall, teacher said he was very good.

Once in the car, he hugged Bear-Bear and was quiet for awhile before starting to chatter. But he dozed off halfway home. I could not wake him and laid him on the sofa.

Just now, preparing for bed, he was again excitedly stating "I go school again with kor kor!"