1st Day of (pre)School

Joshua started preschool this week.  He'll be attending Christ United Methodist Preschool on Thursday and Friday mornings.  I think it's going to be a really good thing.  It will give our social boy the chance to get out of the house without having to sacrifice Corinne's nap, and also frees me up to run errands with only two kids (three just seems too overwhelming for grocery shopping or major Target runs).

We didn't want to start talking up school too early because he tends to get VERY excited about upcoming events and it disrupts his sleep as well as him not having a concept of time and expecting the upcoming event to happen immediately.  We introduced the topic gradually, but started talking more details the past few weeks.  He was very excited to get to go to school.  Brielle, of course,  expected that she would be starting school as well.  Both woke up every morning last week talking about whether they would be going to school that day.  We told Brielle she would go to school at her house and that mommy would be her teacher and thankfully, she bought it!  We made a paper chain for Josh to count down the "dark naps" until school started, and I got to take him on a special date to buy some school shoes and a lunch box and treat him to a McDonald's ice cream cone, too.  It was so sweet how excited he was to be going out with mommy by himself.  

Finally, the first day of school arrived!  We started the morning with chocolate chip pancakes and the whole family got to go get him settled into his classroom.

His lead teacher is Miss Lindsey and the teacher's aides are Miss Lulu and Miss Denver.  They all seem very sweet and affectionate with the kids.  He was just a little hesitant to go in, but in the end was a very brave boy.  I was so proud of him (and of me)...no tears!

Post drop-off

We headed home to start Brielle's school...

"First" day of school pic

For school, Brielle colored a picture, did a lacing card, helped me make chocolate chip cookies, and ate her packed lunch.  After that she was done with school and ready to play, but she didn't quite know what to do without Joshua...I'm sure she'll get the hang of it, but she just kind of wandered around trying to figure out what to do without her best buddy around to take the lead!

Despite the great drop-off, I still had butterflies in my stomach all morning wondering how my little man was holding up.  He was all smiles when we went to pick him up and Miss Lindsey said, "He had a great first day today.  He was outstanding and fit right in!"  What a great report! When I put Josh down for his nap he said, "Mom, I'm glad I went to school today because I liked that school."  Friday morning went off without a hitch, too. So, now were are officially parents of a preschooler!