Today was Gabriel's last day of preschool. I had to do what I never wanted to do - collect all of his things and pack them into my car. His school tote bag and all of its contents (though I gave the Pull Ups and wipes to the class since Gabriel doesn't use them any more and they can always use spares), get his nap blanket, his penguin pillow pet, and all of his other things. It was... sad.

Gabriel seemed all right when he hugged his teacher, Ms. L., but when we got into the car he started crying. Which made me start to cry.

He wanted to know why he can't stay there and why he has to go to Kindergarten. He said he loved Ms. L, Ms. A, and Ms. K and wanted to stay with them. I told him he was going to big boy school and he told me he didn't want to be a big boy then, he wanted to be a baby.

To be honest, if Kindercare had a Kindergarten class (K isn't mandated in our state, it's optional like preschool) I would have kept him there another year. I can't say enough good things about that school or his teachers. I just hope they stay in contact with me, I know all of them are very important to Gabriel.

So, a very sad day even though it means moving on to Kindergarten. It's also odd because my baby is growing up way too fast for my liking.

When I was getting his computer set up for him and making him a snack of popcorn and juice when we got back home, he was still sniffling. I asked him what was wrong and he said "I'm sad because Kindercare is all done". That was enough to break my heart.

There are a few kids he said he'll miss if their parents don't get in touch with me (I left our info, but only one has replied), but mostly he seems to be sad about missing the teachers and some of the other adults. He seems to always get along better with adults than he does with kids of his own age. I think my Mom once said I was that way when I was little as well.

Yesterday I gave my info (home phone, cell phone, e-mail, and facebook) to three of his teachers (Ms. L., Ms. A., and Ms. K) and to the two administrators there (M and S). I really hope some (if not all) decide to keep in touch. I'll miss them as well.