Xuan Chronicles: 7 September 2009. Xuan’s 1st day of school!

Xuan officially attended school on Monday! :)

This post is especially important cos it marks and documents all moods and feelings of Xuan's 1st day in school. Mummy hopes to note down all feelings so that Xuan can recount back when I am older.. sure memorable.

mummy's voice:
Seeing little Xuan in uniform made mummy so excited. Mix feeling of excitement, anxiety, worries, happiness. .mummy said.

On Sunday night, I carefully ironed her uniforms straight and smart, labelled her Minnie Mouse school bag, Dora water bottle, pack her extra set of uniform, little pinky towel all neatly in her pinky bag. We are all ready for school!

Excited and happy cos my girl is going to officially attend pre-school daily. She is going to have fun playing and learning in school every day (I hope!!).. All mummies will understand what all these excitement I am talking about.. hehe.. my baby girl has grown up!

Anxiety and worries cos I don’t know if she will cry, if she will pee or poo in her pants (Xuan is toilet trained but she can have “accidents” if she is too engrossed in play or when she is fearful of the new environment), if she will eat well, if she will be hungry, if she will be roaming here and there around the school and WHAT IF teacher didn’t notice her, if she will be happy…. (the list just gets longer longer..)

Been preparing Xuan for school over the last few weeks by telling her about attending school, taking school bus, how she needs to listen to teachers, how she needs to take care of herself, how she needs to be careful when playing outdoor, how she needs to be tell teachers that she needs to pee, reading story book on going school..

1st day
When I saw Xuan having great fun at the outdoor play session on Monday morning, I am glad. Simple happiness. Running around, sliding down, swinging, driving the bugging car.. and calling out happily to me as she slided down. Ya.. I thought this is definitely healthier than spending her morning watching her DVDs (though educational). And you can expect this anxious mummy there who kept reminding "be careful.. be careful..".. watch out of this and that.. haha.. :p

When it was time to clean up and go back to class, guess what happen?! A Japanese boy ran toward Xuan (specially chosen Xuan!) voluntarily offered to hold her hand to go back to class together while other kids walked in tow or by themselves, the teacher looked at me and we both laughed! Hahaha… my girl has her little charm ya! Hahhaa.. they look so adorable, like a little couple. Hahaha..

Xuan started off her 1st day in school so brave so steady! She waved good bye to me and didn’t cry. I was surprised and very glad. I decided to go back home after 3 hours of "stand-by" outside the school. However, the principal called me after lunch, informing that Xuan was crying badly and loudly for me.

When I reached the school, Xuan was sobbing so sadly in one of her mandarin teacher’s arms. Her cheeks were red, her hair were wet, she was perspiring, she was choking with tears. She looked really sad as though she has been deserted. She cried out loudly when she saw me and keep repeating,”mummy, I cannot find you.” Sound so angry, so sad, so unbelievable kind of tone..I feel so bad, so wrong. She must have felt so fearful, so scare. But she really had a good start in the morning.

Nevertheless, I brought her home cos I can tell that Xuan is tired after the cries. Being the 1st day, I didn’t want to stress her too. (Xuan is attending 6 hrs school daily). Afterall, She has been by herself for solid 4 hours on the 1st day. Good enough I thought.

And guess what, when Xuan came out of the lift at our block, the 1st thing she asked, “Where is Kai kai?” hahaha…. Jiejie misses didi ya. :)

2nd day
The principal told me that Xuan is more manageable today. Teacher Fiona wrote in her little feedback notebook that Xuan has a more positive day. Although she still cried now and then whenever she thought of me, thought of home, she calmed down after a while. And I think the duration of her cries is getting shorter. I am glad. I waited outside the school in the afternoon and heard lots of singing and laughters as well as cries too (some other children). Xuan managed to have a full session on the 2nd day (without me appearing). I decided to accompany her home on her school bus for the 1st time. I am glad that it is a short ride and we reached home really fast (within 5 minutes). Xuan has always been excited about the school bus ride! :)

After shower, we have strawberry cookies as treat for her improvement and bravery! Xuan told us that she will not cry tomorrow. We made a pact and have a good Hi-5 and promise on more cookies, stickers and ice cream!

I am looking forward to her tearless days to come in school. I am looking forward to her sharing with me what fun she has in school, what she does, what she learn, what new songs she sang, what she ate, what she drew and paint, show (and teach) me the children yoga, and how she has learnt to play violin.. or even how to hold a violin first!

From now onward, I have additional daily task to do.. checking her little notebook for teacher's notes to parent, any form to complete. Just yesterday, there is a consent form on allowing the child to take part in the school year-end concert (a drama play) and today, there are more forms and letters! An updated curriculum for next term (Saw the time table and it looks really interesting. Hope it will be and Xuan will enjoy it.). A calendar of event for next year (how fast!). A consent form for school excursion in October - watching a kids' drama play at Esplanade! And for sure, I will attend with Xuan! hahaha..