So far, so good

I sit in an eerie quiet, feeling a little stunned. My brain is so used to constant distractions, I barely know how to concentrate without them. Ethan is at school!! And all went well. He was excited to go and only a little hesitant once we reached the classroom which was crowded with parents and lots of kids.

Ethan happily found his place on the rug for circle time and sat quietly for a welcome song and short story. I was very proud of him for sitting so well, especially since his neighbor was very antsy and in constant motion. I'm sure this could be Ethan once he is comfortable but it made it easier on me, with all the parents watching, not to have to correct his behavior every second.

When the story was done, the teacher explained that we would be saying our goodbyes. Earlier we had traced and cut out handprints (mine and Ethan's) and at this point the teacher said the children could hold onto their parent's handprint and the parent would take their child's so they could look at if they felt lonely during the day. Are they trying to make us break down and weep? I really thought I would avoid that first-day-mother-crying stereotype but when Ethan bravely hugged and kissed me goodbye, I could feel the tears rising. I had to talk very sternly to myself--Pull yourself together, man! I saw no other tears even about to be shed, so after a firm mental slap in my own face, I was able to rise and quickly leave. Ethan was sitting happily on the circle rug with his back to me.
No calls from the principal or the potty police yet! I'll put up a few more pictures on webshots.