Jake's First Day of Church.

I thought it was going to be harder than it was. I think Open House did its job - it allowed the Moms to get used to the whole idea and gave it time to sink in that our kiddos are growing up. Jeff and I took him to school, signed him in, took a few pictures, and stood side by side watching through the one-way glass as our big boy entered the classroom for his first official day of PreSchool at our church home. It was sweet, and I am so glad we both went. (Frankly, it took two people to lug all the stuff we over packed for him. One mom showed up with nothing but a Ziploc with a few Pullups... we had a big ol' Santa Claus lookin' bag of snacks, Rice Milk, outfits, lunch, meds, etc. "just in case.")

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Jack Everett DOES NOT let us call it school. He insists, "It's not school! It's church!" That's what he has called this awesome place his whole life, and he's made it clear that he is NOT changin' it now.

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Daddy gets Jack Everett ready for school. He's wearing his shirt with a drum set on it which says, "I'm with the Band." (Wow, he's pretty tan.)

Jack, who has called this particular stuffed animal "Lion" for almost a year, all of sudden insists on calling him "Leopard. " We say, "But Jack, he's not a leopard, see his big mane? He is a lion." He says, "I know, but I just wike to call him Weopard." So, Weopard the Wion rode with us to school on the first day.

Jack loves his new Diego blankie Mommy bought just for school, I mean, church. He wrapped himself in it and walked in this way.

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I wonder what she thought when she opened the gate to this little one, complete with "I'm with the Band" T-shirt and Diego wrap skirt.

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I'm proud of myself... I didn't call the church one time all day! So, I go to pick him up, pleased that it took only 35 minutes to get there from the office. I get there, and before he sees me, the teacher tells me that aside from one potty accident, he did great. He ate his lunch, took a good nap, and played well with the other kids. She was so super kind.

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It's time to sign him out. I anticipate him running up to me smiling, saying, "Mommy.... I am so glad to see you, While I thoroughly enjoyed meeting my classmates and diving into the curriculum, I missed you a lot today. I love coming to church, but can't wait to spend quality time together tonight when we get home. I will tell you every last detail about my day, Mom, and look forward to reviewing today's lessons before bed."

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Instead, he runs up to me, and I see this little art project hanging from his neck...

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* SIGH *

I got there this morning thinking, "I wonder what techniques they'll use to encourage him to share... I wonder if they'll think he's advanced... I wonder if he'll integrate himself socially..."

I left there this evening thinking, "I wonder if they called him Jack."