Blake's First & LAST day of preschool...

Blake was officially pumped up for school! So much so that he waved as I walked to the exit of his classroom and said, "Bye Bye Momma!" We had rehearsed this moment for weeks and weeks to help prepare Mommy Blake for an easy separation. Success! All went surprisingly well...

Until it came time to pick-up my happy preschooler! There were a million different "worst case" scenarios that played out in my head during the whole THREE hours he was at school. What if some other kid bullies him? What if he falls and needs immediate medical attention (such as Mommy's kisses)? What if... What if... What if... right?

Well, let's just say that out of all of the "What if"s", I clearly missed one!

I show up 30 minutes early to pick him up... pathetic, I know. I wait in the van with Addison and Cousin Massimo and watch through the fence to see if I can see him playing outside. After a few more minutes I decide to go in. I sign him out and speak with the director of the school who tells me how fabulous Blake was and how much fun he had... and then I'm shown digital pictures to prove it. At this point I am just thrilled! :) The director then tells me that they're finishing up their recess time and I can watch him frominside the classroom window while gathering his materials from his cubby.

So, I look out the window and do a quick scan of the playground...no Blake. I assumemy view is probably not the best and wander the classroom and grab his materials from his cubby. 10 minutes go by and I stillcan't seeBlake out on the playground and decide to head out there and improve my view.

Upon entering the playground I am still unable to see Blake, but I immediately take note that both of his teachers are present on the playground. I immediately approach his teacher and say, "I'm here to pick-up Blake" (keep in mind that I have Cousin Massimo in an Ergo on my back and Miss Addison on my hip). The teacher looks at me with a cocked head and says, "Blake? Yes, Blake... where is Blake?" My euphoric nostalgia of school quickly diminished with her response...

and the hunt was ON!

For TWENTY MINUTES the hunt for Blake continued while every staff member, and myself, tore through that school like tazmanian devils.

It was the worst 20 minutes of my life! Despite my panic, I was very calm and collected with one purpose in my mind and heart... find my son! Anything that stood in my way was demolished. Uncontrollable tears gushed down my face. After 20 minutes of everyone searching high and low, I sat down (a total mess) and demanded the police be notified.

Just seconds after my request to contact the police, one of the school staff members came down a slope with a very distrought Blake in tow. It turns out he was left behind in a separate play area on campus and the gate was locked as they returned to the lower playground without him.

Blake was literally sobbing... and so was I.

So, for obvious reasons, that was Blake's first & LAST day at preschool!

And did you forget that Cousin Massimo was on my back and Miss Addison was on my hip during this entire ordeal? Let's just say that their patience was running as thin as mine. ;)

UPDATE: Since this awful ordeal, we have found an awesome program through the school district I teach, where parents attend preschool WITH their child and their child's siblings! We're easing our way into the program... Blake & Addie both LOVE it already!

Kiddos & Mommy just BEFORE Blake's first day...

Daddy & the Kiddos BEFORE Blake's first day...

Blake with Daddy's lunch box from way back when! (Thanks Abuelita!)

Mommy just after leaving her son at what she thought was a safe place...

Oh, and I took this picture to prove to Blake that leaving him at school was one of the hardest things I've ever done... one day he'll be old enough to look through this blog and know that I wasn't lying :)