T'was the Night Before Preschool...

... and all through the house not a toddler was stirring, not even a baby.

Both children appear to be down for the night and I am wrapping up our day in preparation for Carly's first day of preschool tomorrow.  Dave has gone in and checked on Carly a few times so far this evening since she fell asleep just before 8 and came out commenting once that he can't believe she starts preschool tomorrow.  I'm not 100% sure it has really struck me that tomorrow she will be gone from me for the morning and that this will continue for the remainder of the school year for two days a week.  Sure she's gone off to her grandparents' homes for overnight stays and I did travel out of the country last summer, but something about this is just different.  It's her first "activity" where I just drop her off.  Gymnastics, art, music, story time, etc. have been and still are "mommy and me" classes.  This doesn't change around our area until either 3 or 4 depending on the class/program.  Don't get me wrong - I am very much looking forward to this extra time with David, but at the same time it means our little girl is growing up.

I have no reservations about Carly going to preschool.  She is ready!  She is very interested in the idea of writing and scribbles on paper to make "shopping lists" or to "write" her own thank you notes.  She has a vivid imagination and is starting to play more and more with children, instead of beside children.  She is coming home from Sunday School teaching me the new songs they sang during their time and telling me about many of the other activities they did and who was present.  Carly is also VERY, VERY excited about tomorrow's big day!  Over the past 2 months we've been using her book bag as her "diaper bag," (although I don't think there is a single diaper in it - rather a change of clothes, and then a water bottle and snack when appropriate it).  As a result, the bag has just lived in the car and only travels inside when it needs to be restocked with a snack.  This afternoon Carly grabbed her book bag and told me she would need it in the morning for preschool.  She also told me this morning that she would be wearing a ponytail (using a pigtail holder rubber band) and a bow to help keep her bangs out of her face tomorrow morning.  She has told me repetitively the names of her teachers and how she's going to be so "EXCITED" tomorrow.

I would not necessarily say that I am as excited for tomorrow morning as Carly is, but I can not wait to pick her up and hear all about her big first day.  I can already hear her in my head talking a mile a minute in her loud and excited voice telling me all about each activity and the four other friends she met while having this special first day!!