Smith Family Weblog

For the third time, we said goodbye to our sweet Diane—the caregiver for all of kids from about three months to three years (a bit longer in Owen’s case). This was by the hardest of the three transitions, in part because it’s our last.

We had a little party for Owen last Friday—Mom, Dave and Tom joined our five, and Diane had balloons and hugs for everyone. Preschool is a hard transition, watching your babies leave behind their friends and much of what comprises their little lives. And, what a little life this has been—we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Diane as part of our family for nearly a decade. We’ve learned quite a lot from her, and I’m continually amazed by her patience. (Plus, the occasional, “I just don’t know how you do it all” doesn’t really hurt—though my response is always the same: “You!”)

She’s helped our kids grow and mature, and she’s allowed us to focus on our careers, all the while knowing our babies are in exceptionally good hands.

So we said a tearful goodbye, and awaited the disaster that was the following Monday morning–the first day of preschool. Despite assurances from his sisters (alumnae themselves) and encouragement from me and Bryan, Owen was a mess at drop off. So much so, we didn’t get a great first-day photo, and I may have cried a whole lot in the lobby. (Speaking of, so many sweet moms told me it would be okay, the first day is the hardest–and most importantly–“This is a great place-we love it here!” They were probably surprised to learn my eldest broke ground for the construction of the very building. I’m not a rookie, but guess what–this whole thing often gets harder instead of easier.)

Day two was so much better, as evidenced below. The only downside was a cute little girl who cheerfully reminded me, “My mommy hugged you while you were crying yesterday!” thereby expanding the reach of my rather humiliating meltdown to an entirely new set of parents. Thanks, kid.

But in all, the week’s gone very well. Owen even asked me to talk to him “about the earth,” and he’s made a new friend named Olivia. (“Not our Olivia, Mom. Another Olivia.” Noted.) And, we can’t wait to see what he learns with Purviz.

One more transition done, though with less grace than I’d have liked.