Preschool Rocks!

Today, Thursday, September 10, 2009 was Lillian's first day of preschool. She had a new outfit to wear (she had to have a purple dress because her best friend Lily was going to wear a purple dress for the first day of school), a new backpack and a new attitude.

We (Daddy went with us for the drop-off) arrived at the school about 15 minutes early so we walked around the grounds and the church looking at plants and flowers. We were trying to catch Lily but it was time to go in and Lillian actually said, "I want to go to my preschool now." We live just a half-mile from the school and for the last couple days we have pretended that the school has been talking to her - saying it was happy to have her and they were going to have so much fun.

We headed back to the front of the building and ran into Lily (her parents were brave enough to use the carpool lane!) and we followed her in. We met one of the teachers Ms. Seroba at the door and Lillian and Lily held each others hand and posed for a quick picture. Ms. Seroba was taking the girls to hang up their backpacks and we scooted out of there. I waited about 15 minutes and drove around the school - the classroom has two huge windows and saw Lillian and Lily playing with the dolls. I had the car cleaned, ran some errands and bought Lillian a new book and was ready to pick her up but it was not even 11 am yet!

walking in the hallway

Ms. Seroba, Lillian and Lily hanging up backpacks

I made one more drive by the school but wasn't able to see much. I headed back to the school about 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time and was able to see the class heading out to the playground. They have the children hold onto a knot on a rope to keep everyone together. Ran into Lily's mommy and we chatted before pick up time.

off to the playground

The director sent these out.
Lillian reading a book and snack time!

As I got into the carpool line, I saw Lillian and Lily holding onto Ms. Maura's hand waiting very patiently. When Lillian got into the car she squealed and saw the new book I had for her. Ms. Maura said she did great and is wicked smart! When Ms. Seroba came to the car she said they read a story together and she had a wonderful time.

The car dashboard in the carpool line waiting for Lillian

Lillian and Lily holding Ms. Maura's hand waiting in the carpool line.

Waiting as Lily gets in her car

I asked Lillian what she did and she said, "I don't know." Over lunch she expounded a bit further:

"Ty did not want to do anything. He was tired."
"Lily did not lose her knot she just couldn't find it."
"One little kid got upset."
"One little boy went potty all by himself."
"My teachers did not know I had tomatoes and green pepper with my snack.
"Yahnnie got to be the helper bee."
"Yahnnie kissed me because I'm her friend."
"One little person's backpack was heavy."

I asked her what she liked best about the day and she said the tiny dolls and snacks. They had music class today where she banged on a big drum and maybe danced - she wasn't sure if danced or not. So all in all a great first day of preschool. At her orientation, they showed Lillian the basket where the children put their snacks in the morning and Lillian was very insistent that she was not going to put her snack in the basket. She wanted to keep it in her backpack. The teacher said that would be fine. When I asked Lillian about her snack she said she did put it in the snack basket!

On a side note, the parents had orientation on Tuesday night and I busted out crying in the classroom as the teacher was discussing the drop-off. When we had the children's orientation Wednesday I almost cried again but didn't. The teachers reassured me that Lillian would be fine after observing her in the classroom for awhile. I am proud to say I made it through the drop-off without crying - I waited until we were outside the building. And I hope that I do not make a habit of driving by the school every single time she attends class!

Back in the car safe and sound.

Looking at her new book

PRESCHOOL ROCKS! GOOD JOB!!