First Day of School

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Taylor carefully checked the lunchboxes on the counter for the third time, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything. Sophia and Henry were starting preschool, a decision that she and Travis had gone back and forth on for months, which is why they were starting in the winter term rather than the fall. While they loved their nanny who had been helping to care for the twins since they were six months old, they had decided that it would be best for them to spend some time around other children to learn some social skills before Kindergarten. Their nanny, Emily, would continue to work for them, but the twins would also be attending a nearby private preschool twice a week.

Travis was busy making pancakes, the current favorite breakfast of their very opinionated three year olds. While he worked, Taylor started the morning routine with Sophia and Henry, getting them both woken up and downstairs to sit at the table. As they ate, she pulled Sophia's hair up into two little pigtails in an effort to tame her blonde curls.

"Are you guys excited to go to your new school today?" Taylor asked.

"Yay school!" Henry cheered, kicking his little legs against the table.

"I'm glad, bubba," Travis said, "How about you, girlie?"

"No like school," Sophia grumbled, her face turning to a pout.

"You're going to have so much fun, Sophie," Taylor said gently, "Remember? They have all kinds of toys and books, and you get to do art projects and play outside too."

"Toys at home!" Sophia shouted, clearly not convinced.

"It'll be fun, I promise," Travis said, pulling his daughter in for a hug, "And Mommy and I will be there to pick you up after lunchtime and we can all cuddle on the couch."

"Otay Daddy," Sophia whispered, still not fully convinced.

When they arrived at the preschool, the director greeted them at the door, welcoming them into the bright and colorful space. They had arranged to have one member of the security team stay at the school with the twins, and he was shown to the space they had prepared for him by the door before heading to the twins' classroom. The teacher welcomed them in, showing Taylor and Travis where to put their lunchboxes and backpacks.

Henry happily ran off to play with the other children, spotting the construction trucks in the block area. Sophia, on the other hand, was clinging tightly to Travis's leg, tears welling in her eyes once again. Taylor crouched down, gently trying to get her to let go.

"Look Soph, I see a dollhouse over there," she said, pointing across the classroom, "Should we go check it out together?"

"Otay Mommy," Sophia said quietly, letting Taylor lead her over.

They played together for a few minutes, but then Taylor had to break the news that it was time for her and Travis to leave. Sophia's eyes filled with tears again, her little lip wavering as she geared up for a full-blown meltdown. The teacher stepped in, promising Taylor and Travis that Sophia would settle after a few minutes and that she would send them an update and pictures soon.

Travis had suggested that he and Taylor go out to grab breakfast together, wanting to stay near the school just in case the kids needed them. There was a little coffee shop down the street, so they settled into a booth in the corner after ordering their favorite coffee and a few different pastries.

"Are you sure we're making the right choice to send them to school? They're still so little," Taylor asked.

"It seems like such a great program for them. And Henry seemed so happy to play with the other kids. I was watching him while you were with Soph and he was doing his big belly laugh every time they knocked over the tower he was helping to build," Travis reassured her, "I'm sure Sophie will settle in soon."

They were interrupted by an alert on their phones. They both opened it, seeing the message in the preschool's app with pictures of the twins. There was a picture of Henry playing at the water table, balancing small plastic bears on a little boat. Before they could even save the photo, another alert came through, this time with a picture of Sophia. She was wearing a big blue smock, painting on an easel with a big smile on her face.

"Look at her," Taylor whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

"She looks so big," Travis agreed, squeezing Taylor's hand.

Before they knew it, it was time to head back to the school to pick up the twins. After a round of goodbyes to their new friends, they both grabbed their backpacks out of their cubbies and happily made their way to the car. On the way home, Henry excitedly told them all about his new friend Katie and the games they had played on the playground.

"And how was your day, Sophie? Did you have fun at school?" Taylor asked.

"I love school Mommy!" Sophie cheered, "More school tomorrow?"

"Not tomorrow, sweetie. But you guys will go back on Thursday to play at school again, does that sound good?" Taylor explained.

"Yay!" Henry and Sophie both cheered.

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