First Day at School #1

My big girl had her first day at school today......well, school #1 anyway. Monday and Tuesday are Ayla's mainstream school days, a day off on Wednesday and then Thursday and Friday are 'Special' School days....for a little while.

There were no tears from either of us. Tears were never going to happen on Ayla's part because she was way too excited about her return to school and playtime with the kids. She barely blinked when I said goodbye.

I didn't cry but I did choke up a couple of times. The first when I saw her all dressed in her uniform and surrounded by the other kids in her class. It was just amazing that we had made it that far. There was a time when I thought it may never happen. The next time I choked up was when a few kids were genuinely excited to see her at school and wanted to say hello. That probably sounds silly to most of you but when your child is the only non-neurotypical kid in a class full of neurotypical kids AND it's obvious that the other kids are VERY well aware of your child's differences, it does warm your heart to realise that they don't care and they still like her.

The third and last time I choked up was when the Principal of the school approached me. How wonderful and comforting to have the Principal come up to me and say, "I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have Ayla here today and for this year". We may have had to forego on the Steiner school down here, but it's an amazing experience to have absolutely NO obstacles to your child just being one of the kids in a mainstream school.

Ayla had an awesome day, beginning with squealing and giggling with excitement all the way to school, and roping several innocent bystanders into tickling her hands! She was totally exhausted when I picked her up at 1:30, but ready to do it all again tomorrow.