Preschool Orientation

Amelia - you are so big!!!

Today was the day. Well - not quite but it was still an important day. Your formal education started today. It was preschool orientation.

We had talked to you about pre-school all summer and you often asked about when you were going to get to go to school. We marked it on the calendar with a big S and then continued to put an S on all the days in September. We told you what you would learn - numbers, letters, colors, and so on. We practiced some of it at home to help prepare you. I think it only made you more excited. We went and bought you school clothes and school shoes. We kept them separate in your closet to keep them ready for school. The clothes that we bought were all dresses. The shoes are purple and pink and of course they light up. You are still going to use your Minnie Mouse backpack but we bought you a new lunch bag. It is a ladybug. You love it. We also bought you new undies - Minnie Mouse of course. You are ready.

I almost messed it all up. As much as we had prepped you and we had put it on the calendar, I almost missed some critical paperwork. You had to have the doctor sign off on you saying that your shots were up to date. I didn't think it would take more than about 5 minutes to print out your shorts record...but I was wrong. Apparently it takes 2-3 days. Whatever!!! No it doesn't!!! When the doctor's office told me that I had to call your preschool up and ask what to do. They told me you couldn't come on the first day unless you had the paperwork. I was so mad!!! I went back to the doctor and pleaded with them to fill out the form. They said that they would do it. I was so thankful. So when we go on Tuesday - we just have to make sure that we have it for them.

As your mom, I am of course, a mess. Yes, my love, I am that mom. I am the mom that will cry at everything and will be at every event. I will try not to embarrass you, but in doing so I probably will. I have cried almost every day straight for the last week. I try not to do it in front of you. Sometimes I cry in the car or while I watch tv. Other times I cry on your daddy's shoulder. He just looks at me and lets me cry, all while hugging me. I saw him cry once, even though he tried to hide it. I am just nervous. You are my baby. My first baby. I am nervous that you won't like it or that you will shutdown. That you will decide you don't like school or that you will not like your teachers. I want you to make friends, but am afraid that you won't. There is just so much that I want for you - but mostly I want you to have fun.

So today was orientation day. I knew I had to keep myself busy otherwise I would loose it. After breakfast we put the laundry away, cleaned your room and Aiden's room, put mommy's laundry away and cleaned out my drawers. We had snack, played with your toys, made a ceramic butterfly thing and then watched an episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates (your new favorite show). While watching the show, I did cry a little bit. It was then time for me to get ready so I went upstairs to shower, where I cried more. But I got ready. I tried on multiple outfits, I wanted to make sure I looked good for you but also to impress your teacher. I wanted her to think we are good, responsible parents. Once Gamma was here to to babysit Aiden, you and I were off.

We went right over to CCC. Your preschool is in the back right underneath the library. Across from your preschool is the green house and the nature trail. Both of which you will be going to for preschool. We were a little early so you sat in the front seat with me while we waited for daddy and to go in. But soon it was time for us to go in and meet your teachers. We met Miss Jessie first and then Miss Holly. You went to the sand table first and played with that for a long time. You then came over to color with the pink crayon and then you went over to the doll house and blocks. You talked to some of the other students who came in but most of them were very shy and just stayed with their parents. While you were playing we talked to your teachers. We learned that every Thursday will be show-n-tell and that once a month you will have to bring in snack. We saw where your outside cubby is outside of the classroom is to keep your coat and your inside of the classroom cubby to keep your art work and portfolio in. You will get to take this home at the end of the year. We saw where the bathroom is and practiced using it. The back of the door has the steps with pictures on how to wash your hands. You thought it was pretty cool. Your teacher gave us some more information on the school and some more forms to fill out. We were there for about 45 minutes. You loved it. You played the whole time.

When we left there, I surprised you with a pedicure. I think we might make this a tradition. The week before school starts you and mommy go and get a pedicure. It is the first time that you had ever been so you had lots of questions. After we both soaked our feet you had your toe nails clipped and then painted. You painted them bright pink and the lady put white and silver stripes on it. You showed it to everyone. She then did my feet and you had lots of questions the whole time - what does that do, why is she doing that, what is that called? You were very patient while she did it. She finished us both off with some lotion on out legs and feet. I think you loved it.

It was then time to come home. You told Gamma all about it - or - she asked you a bunch of questions and you answered them. Mostly you showed her your toe nails. When daddy came home we talked about school more and then were off to dinner.

I had so much fun with you today. You are so big and so brave. You are going to be taking your first step into formal education next week. I will be there to drop you off and pick you up every day that I can. I love you so much!!