Manny's 1st Day of MDO 2013

It's hard to believe it, but this little cutie started "the big kid class" at Mother's Day Out on Tuesday. We LOVED his teacher last year and have been really sad to leave her. But we've been talking a lot about the big kid class and he was excited to check it out. Apparently all day he kept asking the teacher, "But where are the big kids?" Poor buddy didn't think of himself as a big kid...which is fine by me!

He wanted to carry his nap mat and lunchbox himself since he's "big now". These are the same SheShe Made ones we got when he started MDO 2 years agao and they're still in great shape!

Before I left, I asked the teacher to take a picture of us together. (Also, if you look on the far left of the picture, you can see MB's little foot photo bombing. So cute.) When I squatted down next to him, he immediately reached his little bitty arm around my neck to hug it tight, and I'm not gonna lie...it put a lump in my throat right then and there. After this picture, he gave me a kiss and quietly but bravely walked into his new class, only pausing once to look back over his shoulder at me. I left before I did something silly like cry. But as soon as I got in my car and pulled this picture up, the tears started flowing. Didn't expect to get that emotional about it AT ALL. But this picture just melted my heart. It's a moment I always want to remember. It was so simple, yet so sweet. I just love him to pieces and while it makes me sad sometimes with how fast time is flying by, I so enjoy watching him grow. He was so nervous to go to the new class, but he was trying his best to be brave, and he just seemed so old to me in that moment. I know, I know...if this is me now, what will happen when he actually starts Kinder? I know I'm basically crazy mom status and I proudly own it. No sense trying to hide the obvious here. I'm flying that flag high, friends.

I sure do love you Manny Martin and am so proud of the kind, polite, and brave young man you are becoming!
xo, Mommy