Gabriel’s First Day of School

 

 

 

 

Gabriel woke up happily, anticipating his first day at school. Giggly with excitement, he went through his morning routine without a hiccup. Checked the boxes with ease:

Breakfast,

Brushed teeth,

Got dressed...

The day before, he said to his mom, 

“...you know at school I have to run and play.

Because I have lots of energy!”

Yesterday, in France, marked  “La Rentree,” Mandatory Preschool (starting at three years of age) up to University. Chelsea, Papioca, Martin, and Gabriel walked around the corner to his first day of the school alongside students who were doing the same thing all over France.

Gabriel knows the path to school as he has frequently walked past it on his way to the park’s playground. He hopped and skipped, gleefully holding his parent’s hands as they headed towards his new adventure.

But when he arrived with the multitude of parents and children entering the school, his eagerness suddenly turned a corner.

As Chelsea told me, he screamed, cried, threw himself to the ground, and had to be coaxed, held, and reassured... It was the exact opposite of his morning dreams. 

...

Chelsea sent a video after his first day of school;

Chelsea asked Gabriel as he sat on her lap,

“How was school today?”

With exburence, he said, “Good!”

“Did you have fun?”

“Oui”

“How was lunch?”

“Good!”

“Did you like your teacher?”

"Oui!"

“Was she nice?”

“Oui!”

“How were the other children?”

“Good!”

“Wow! A perfect day huh?!”

His demeanor changed.

Chelsea said, “Were you a little bit sad this morning?”

“Ummm, pas trop.” (Not too bad.)

“Pas trop?”

And with that, he drew her attention to something on the table.

 

Comments

[Jeanne]

Precious little boy
Thanks for all you share
Hugs

[Lil]

Wow, school already! Is it just a half day for preschool?

[Judith]

A BIG step for Gabriel. He's on his way now. He'll love it in no time. And coming home talking about all kinds of new things. I know,I have a grandaughter one month older than Gabriel.

[Susan in Zurich]

What a darling boy!
A big day for sure, so understandable that he would feel all those big feelings.

Curious if it's daily, hoping it's a short day. Big change for a little fellow.

Thanks for sharing, Corey 💗

[Teddee Grace]

For some reason, I am no longer receiving your blog posts in my email even though I have attempted to correct that twice. So, every few days I look up your blog and update myself. First day of school! Such a big step so no wonder the tumult, and it sounds as if the rest of his day went fine. We had no preschool or kindergarten where and when I grew up so I was mature by comparison when I started first grade and still had moments of depression and homesickness in the first weeks or perhaps months. My mother had gone to Wichita, Kansas, for a month so the doctor who had delivered me could deliver my brother. My sister and I stayed with our grandparents, but I missed my mother so much and that probably contributed to my "trisstesse". With his personality and all of your good support, I know Gabriel is going to fare well.

[Kathy]

Oh, his first day…so soon? Bless his sweet little heart.

[M Marcus]

Sooooo Cute! He's so adorable. Yes, school is scary at first! But then you always go home to mommy and daddy. Ha! I never wanted to leave my mom!

[isabel]

I can't grasp that Gabriel is already going to school! He made it through that first day and conquered his dragons and now he's a big boy! Go Gabriel!

[Jennifer Phillipps]

What a champ he was to tackle his first day of school with such aplomb! Well done Gabriel! Well done to you all actually...always look forward to my daily dose of Corey and family et al.... Jennie, NZ

[marilyn]

Ahhh, yes, I remember those days when my son was a little boy.
They do grow up; so even these events are sweet memories.