Preschool

Whitney started preschool this past Friday!!  She is enrolled in the one day a week program from three year olds at Lakeview!

We went into the school to register for next fall and while we were there Whitney said to the director of the preschool that she wanted start that day!!  The director smiled and mentioned to us that there was an opening in the three year old room and that they would love to have Whitney join them.  Whit of course thought that meant the very same day she could start but we did go back the next day to check it out and participate in the class!  She loved it!  

Ryan and I struggled with the decision because it is the middle of the school year and she is only three, it is only a one day a week program and she will be starting in the fall no matter what.....BUT my major focus was on what is going to happen when baby number two makes his/her arrival in the summer.  I want Whitney to feel comfortable and not feel that she is being sent to preschool because the baby is coming.  So having her get used to school before the new one comes was a huge factor in deciding about this.  We obviously ended up choosing to send her and I think it is the right decision!  She is so attached to me and this little break will help her transition into two day preschool next year a lot easier. 

Whit was so very excited to start and bounced all around the house until it was time to go.  She was so brave and didn't even seem apprehensive at all.  I on the other hand was a mess!!  I was just so nervous that she would cry or not let me leave...haha I know a teacher's worst nightmare: a mom with issues haha:)

She did great though, went right into her classroom and got busy playing with puzzles.  I told her I was leaving and she seemed fine with it.  I even peeked in the room a minute after I "left" and she was still playing and not upset at all!!  Yay!!  So I left and felt so weird without her for the two hours she was there.  

When I went to pick her up, I looked in the door again and she was fine...not blotchy face from crying....!

When Ms. Karen led her out to me she said, "She was a little teary eyed a few times but she did great for her first day."  I felt so sad to hear that but knew that it was most likely going to happen.  At first whit made it seem like she was so sad the whole time but the more we talked and the more I asked, "were you crying when you were doing.....(that activity)?" and she would reply no.....  So I think what happened was that towards the end of the two hours she got sad and the teacher helped her.  Whitney said she got to sit on the teachers lap while she read a story which helped.  She also later told me that she never had tears coming down just felt sad.

As the day went on though she told me more and more about her day and then said, "when I go next time I wont be sad anymore."  I asked her how she felt about her day at school even though she cried and she showed me with her arms just how much she loves preschool (the picture below)...so that made me feel good:)

I think she will love it and just needs to get used to the fact that I leave and come back.  Unfortunately that will take a little while because it is only one day a week and of course they are closed next Friday for teacher in-service!!!  Oh well, she will get the hang of it and love it, I am sure!!!