Going to Preschool!
Some of you already know, but the school district I work for runs a daycare program for employees. It's run by a certified teacher who oversees the curriculum for each age level. There is even a specific teaching program for 2-year olds! We debated in the spring whether or not we should take Ben there. We like the idea of him being in the home of a member in a home environment, but near the end of the April/beginning of May we really felt like he needed to be there in the Fall (it's not offered in the summers). So Kelli being the amazing friend she is, offered to watch Ben for the rest of the summer and Ben started Preschool this morning! We went yesterday to meet his teacher and after a while he warmed up to his room and when I asked him if he wanted to go back tomorrow and play he said "Okay."
We got him a Thomas blanket for naptime and his own lunchbox, which he calls "my bag." This morning we got all ready and he insisted on carrying his bag down the steps and off we went! He got upset when we didn't go the direction of Kelli's house. After 3 repeats of "Shake It" he was more than okay and said he wanted to go to school. I thought we were going to be good! Then we passed the exit to my mom's house. He LOST it. My friend Nikki comes to my mom's house every Sunday for dinner and Ben LOVES Nikki! He screamed "Ikki House! Ikki House! Ikki House!" until we got onto 35. Then he lost it again when I told him there are no train tracks on the way to preschool. His favorite part of the drive to Kelli's house is going over the train tracks! But by the time we got there he was okay. Shy, but didn't cry or scream. Clung, yes, screamed, thankfully no!
We're excited to have him in a preschool environment and to see how much he will learn! I'm not looking forward to the increase we'll probably see in colds and sickness, but we're praying that isn't too bad! Here are some pictures from this morning.
He moves too fast for my camera inside before the sun is bright!
I swear we don't put drugs in his breakfast!
It's because he'd stand right in front of me and say "cheese!" but I had to get him to the door to get him out from right in front of my face.
I love how tired (and cute!) he looks in these. He's obviously unimpressed!
Now he wants the camera.
You'll be okay. :)
That is so super exciting! I think it is great that they have this program you can take Ben to. I am certain he will do amazing and become even more amazingly smart! :-)
That is great. I'm sure he will learn tons. I can't believe your district runs a preschool. What district do you work for?
Jami, I work for Burleson ISD. And while it is called Day Care it's nice because they do consider it pre-school, especially for the older kids. I think it's like 90% of the kids that leave there and go straight into Kindergarten can read! I know Mansfield ISD runs a Day Care, too, but I'm not sure it's the same type of curriculum. They've talked about getting rid of the program over and over but teachers stay in the district if they have kids there, even though they could make more money somewhere else!
Does he get to stay all day, 5 days a week? That is so cool, I wish I could find a cheap (but good quality) pre-school for Nat that was 5 days a week, she is so ready for Kindergarten, but we still have a year to go!
OK, the "Ikki House" part pretty much melted my heart, but I am sorry he was so fussy this morning! I'm sure he'll really enjoy Pre-School though and learn a lot!
I knew it would, Nikki! He actually said "Ikki's House" since he's good with his posessives now. But still!
And yes, Ben's there 5-days a week full time, but we still have to pay for it! It works great because John will be in school full-time and needs the afternoons free anyway! And I get to pick him up for once!
That is SO awesome! I wish Plano had something like that for Tommy and Eddie! McKinney's is really good, but there's a LONG wait list for it. Ben will learn SO much! How did he do on his first day?
Ben is so cute with his lunch-box. I am sure that he will end up loving preschool.
He is so cute! In the middle of the day, Fynn started asking, "Boo?" (Ben) And who needs to drive over train tracks when you have your very own Thomas nap blanket????
Aww, so cute! This will be such a good experience for him!! FUN FUN!