LizaWasHere

Yesterday was Noah’s first day at the church day care.

It started off a little chaotic — the director had forgotten to leave our file with the curriculum manager, who is also the early morning administrative person. And the early morning teacher in Noah’s classroom was sick, so they were waiting on a sub. But really, all that meant was no paperwork and me hanging out for 30 minutes, playing with Noah in his new classroom.

The nice thing about that is that although I was generally familiar with the room, since Noah was there for Sunday school for almost a year, now I feel like I know it. And I got to meet a couple of the other children and their parents.

I have to admit, I was worried when I left.

Not about Noah, but about traffic. NPR told me that it was 8:19 when I got into my car, and I needed to traverse approximately 90% of the downtown/business district of Atlanta to get to work. My goal was to start that journey before 8 am, in the hopes of missing the worst of the worst traffic.

Either miraculously or luckily, it took less than 15 minutes.

Later in the morning, the director called to apologize for the early morning chaos, which I appreciated. She also told me that Noah seemed to be doing fine, although he was more observing the activities than participating in them.

I told her that I expected it would take him a few days to warm up, and that until then, I thought he would probably be on the quiet side, and mostly play independently.

Turns out, I overestimated.

When I picked Noah up, his primary teacher in this classroom gushed about how wonderful Noah had been — the best adjustment she’d seen in her 25 years of teaching. Noah didn’t run over to hug me, he ran over to show me a truck with big blue wheels. And to announce proudly, “Mommy, I been talking!”

The other children, all around Noah’s age or a little bit younger, wandered over to look at me curiously. While I was trying to persuade Noah to hug me, a little girl volunteered for the hug — which Noah didn’t like one bit.

We were sent on our way with a sippy cup of milk and a handful of goldfish crackers, plus a chorus of “See you tomorrow, Noah!”

Traffic wasn’t great, either from work to day care, or from day care home. But it wasn’t as bad as I feared. I left work about 5:10, and it took just under 20 minutes.

The worst traffic was getting away from downtown, towards home. This week’s to-do list includes emailing the parents I know from church, who also have their kids at the church day care, to ask how they get home. (Well, at least the ones who live in our direction!)

Plus did I mention that they gave us both an activity report — including songs sung and books read — AND a schedule for the transition of Noah and his classmates into the 2-3 year old room? Over the course of 1.5 weeks, beginning after Memorial Day, they’ll be gradually spending more and more time in the new classroom. June 9, Noah and all of his new classmates will be there full time.

I feel like we made the right choice.

Although dramatic weather events disrupted our weekend, it was actually very nice both before and after all the chaos.

On Saturday morning, we went to the Museum of Natural History to see dinosaurs.

I’d say it was a hit.

Saturday night during Noah’s bath, we talked about all the things Noah saw, including Eagle! Owl! Bear! Duck! (Geese) Tiger! (Bobcat) and lots and lots and lots of dinosaurs. And “so many” people.

Strangely enough, Noah didn’t think to mention this activity, which we spent more time on than anything else except for looking at dinosaurs:

Noah had so much fun that he didn’t want to leave. A fact that he made abundantly clear to anyone in a half mile radius. Lucky us.

You already know about Saturday afternoon, so I’ll skip ahead to Sunday morning.

Those of you who are moderately observant Christians doubtlessly know this, but for the benefit of others, today is Palm Sunday.

Our church, along with the Catholic church around the block and the Methodist church 2 blocks down, do a Palm Sunday Procession together, where we walk from the courtyard (and breakfast) at our church, around the two blocks, stopping for music and prayer at each of the other churches.

Incidentally, at breakfast you’re supposed to introduce yourself to at least one person from a different church. I met a very nice Catholic attorney originally from Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Noah lost interest in the palm fronds before the procession began, but he did a great job keeping pace with the walkers and enjoying the music…for about 3/4 of the distance. Then he lost it and required me to “carry you!” back to our church.

Fortunately, he recovered for Sunday School, where he had a wonderful time tearing it up on the playground. Did I mention that the weather was absolutely perfect? 60 or 65 degrees & sunny.

After Sunday School, Noah did fabulously until we got to the parking deck elevator, which we entered with another family that included 2 little girls, ages ~3 & 4.

Just before the elevator reached the parking lot level, Noah grabbed my leg and ardently declared, “Mommy! I need you!”

And I died from the adorable deliciousness.

It lasted all the way to the car.

In the car, Noah vigorously resisted getting into his car seat. I indulged him for awhile, maybe 5 minutes, and then offered him my customary choice: Are you going to climb in your car seat, or is Mommy going to put you there? Noah ignored me, and when I repeated the offer, he declined both options. “No, Mommy! No.No.No.No.”

So I manhandled him into the carseat. Amid much sobbing and shrieking.

No sooner had I buckled my own seatbelt than Noah shook his finger at me, still sobbing, and declared, “Mommy! That was very naughty!”

I want you all to know that I hid my grin and did not laugh about it until later, on the phone with Grandma.

To Noah, I responded in all seriousness, “I’m sorry you feel that way. But we have to sit in the car seat when we go somewhere in the car.”

How was your weekend?