It may have been the best day of Hailey's life.

It FINALLY came! Hailey's first day of school.


















[written last night while Hailey (and everyone else) was konked out in bed after a long long day.]

Dear Hailey,

Today was your first day of school. You have been waiting for this for as long as you have known there was such a thing as school. For the last two weeks, I have had a small pit in my stomach knowing that you would no longer be with me all day. Dad and I are so proud of you, but I must say, I was pretty lonely this afternoon.

You were so cute last night sitting in your pajamas as we had a special Family Home Evening for you and talked about President Hinckley's six "Be's." You sat so patiently through my silly power-point lesson as I crammed in as much last minute advice for you as I could think of. I was surprised that you memorized all of the "Be's" them after learning about them once. Hailey, you were made for school!

Dad's blessing for you was especially beautiful. He has never given you a blessing where he has not talked about you sharing the gospel, and maybe being a missionary someday. I can't think of anyone that is a better example of living the gospel every day. You talk of Jesus and Heavenly Father as if they lived in our house with us- as if they were your most special friends. (And they are, Hailey, they are!) You know what it means to really pray. You just get it Hailey, and I think there are many adults who don't get it like you do. Dad also talked about how your ability to learn will grow exponentially while you are in school. You are learning more every day already.

It was hard to wait on the curb for the bus with you. You were as calm as I have ever seen you. I was an internal mess. Was taking the bus a good idea? Would you find a seat okay? Would you be scared when you got to the school? Would other kids be nice to you? When your bus pulled up, you just quickly hugged me and hopped right on, waving at the top of the steps, and drove away, just like that. How is it so easy for you to new things on your own? You are so trusting of the people around you. I hope that trust never gets broken.

Nora went nuts when the bus doors closed. She tried her hardest to follow you on the bus, and she doesn't like getting left behind. I don't think she understood why we were waving your red flag on the curb by the street. She seemed totally perplexed and then peeved when the big yellow bus came and took "her Hailey" away. She cried and tried wriggling out of my arms yelling, "My Hailey, my Hailey!" Luckily her tantrums are as short as they are violent, and I appeased her by letting her carry your flag all the way home.

I had to keep myself busy for the afternoon so I wouldn't get too anxious while you were away. I was afraid you might change your mind about the school thing in the middle of the day and find out you were stuck there. As I waited for the bus to drop you off, I started wondering if I had written the right bus number on your pass. The bus was five, ten, fifteen minutes late, and my heart was pounding because I just knew that I had ruined your first day, and that you were sitting in the office crying because they didn't know how to send you home. I was torn between staying at the bus stop and running home and calling the school. Finally, your bus arrived. I saw your face in the window and you smiled and waved so proudly, and then hopped right off the bus, holding hands with two of your older friends, and another three flanking you on either side. You got through your first day without a single hitch.

I asked you how school was, and you said, "Great Mom!" and then continued on literally skipping home in a line with your friends, and me following behind. I miss you Hailey. It's hard knowing that much of my work as your mother is done, and now I am not your only teacher. But I am so proud of you.

Love, Mom.

One more small note. On Hailey's outfit: I let her choose one new school outfit, and this is what she chose to buy, which I think is funny, because out of all the clothes in every store, I think this one SCREAMS "Hi my name is Hailey and it's my first day of school.