Clara started preschool last week. Who took our baby and replaced her with this confident little girl?
After some careful consideration, we enrolled Clara in a nearby preschool that meets two mornings a week. Each session is three hours long, just enough time for structured play, songs, art, and a little playground fun. Since she’s always loved being around other children, it felt like the right step, but we were still a bit nervous on that first morning. Would she cry? Would we? Would there be a frantic phone call asking us to come pick her up early?
None of that happened. There were dry eyes all around. Clara was so excited when we arrived that the only photo we managed to take was this quick snapshot before she vanished into the classroom. She practically sprinted inside without looking back.
Three hours later, she came home beaming. She told us about the songs they sang, the paintings they made, and how much fun the playground was. Her teacher later told us it was “the best first day of school” she’d experienced in her years of teaching. Remarkably, none of the twelve children in Clara’s class cried that day, which the teacher said was unprecedented. That made Clara even more enthusiastic about the year ahead—and we were relieved and excited for her.
Since that first day, Clara has attended four times, and her excitement has not faded. On most mornings she wakes up eager and asks with a hopeful grin, “I go to school today?” We almost feel guilty telling her “not today” when it isn’t a school day. It’s been a joy to watch her thrive in this new routine.
For the traditional first-day-of-school photo, we posed Clara in front of our front door with her school bag—a sweet handmade gift from our friend Abby. As usual, she hammed it up for the camera and gave us plenty of personality in every shot.
Her new signature pose seems to be a triumphant hand in the air. It’s become her go-to expression whenever she feels proud or excited about something.
One quiet moment we loved was watching Clara watch the elementary school bus roll past our house. It made us realize that in just a few years she’ll be riding that bus herself. Time really does fly.
For the photo on the front door we added the grade information directly onto the image to keep things clean and consistent for future years. We laid the words out with intentional spacing so the same style can be reused as she grows and returns to pose in the same spot on the porch. It’s a small tradition, but we hope it will make for a nice visual timeline of her school years.
How did the first day of school go in your home? Any new milestones or memorable moments? Did anyone get emotional? Sherry admitted she felt a little misty watching Clara head into class, but she insists that since no tears actually fell, it doesn’t count as crying.
Overall, Clara’s start at preschool has been a positive experience—for her and for us. She’s growing more independent, excited about learning, and eager to spend time with other children. These early preschool days are already becoming treasured memories: the hurried goodbye hugs, the stories about painted masterpieces, the exuberant recounting of songs learned, and the simple pleasure of watching her walk confidently into a classroom. We’re looking forward to seeing how she continues to blossom this year, and we’re grateful for a smooth, happy beginning to her preschool journey.