Preschool

Setember 1st, 2010 was Taylor's first official day of preschool! The whole experience went off better then I could have ever hoped for.

We had been talking to her a lot about school in the weeks leading up to the actual start of school. She would talk about all the toys she'd get to play with, the kids, etc. She agreed that school was definitely not for baby Evan, after all he doesn't have teeth yet so how can he possible go to school. And readily agreed that school isn't even for Daddy. But she'd hesitate and look a bit worried whenever we explained that school wasn't for Mommy either. School was only for kids just like Taylor. The fact that school wasn't for Mommy also seemed like it would potentially cause her the most anxiety.

The day before school started Jay, Evan and I accompanied Taylor to an open house. She was very quiet on the way there, very reserved too. In the parking lot she showed very little enthusiasm for visiting her new classroom. Once in the classroom, she selected a corner or some other out-of-the way place to play and simply watched everyone. She met her teachers, learned where the potty was, etc. After an hour and we were on our way home again. T just simply met all conversations about school after this with a very quiet and inwardly thoughtful demeanor. Hmm, I was begining to wonder just how the first day was really going to go?

At last came the long awaited first day! We pull into the parking lot, park the car, and from the back seat comes this little voice....."I think I'm going to give this school thing a try". My brain goes "YES". And without further ado she leaps out of the car, lunch box in hand and ushers her father, brother and I toward the door of the school. Once in, I take her bag and lunch to her cubbyhole and find her happily playing with a little boy. We quietly watch her for a few minutes and after exchanging a few worried looks with one another Jay and I make our move to say goodbye. She gives us hugs, kisses and says bye without so much as batting an eyelash. Flawless. We exit the building still not believing how easy we feel we got off and wave at her through the classroom window. She blows me a huge kiss and says "I love you mommy". And that was that.

She did awesome. The teacher thought she was a little shy the first day, until she saw her running around with a pack of 5 year old's on the playground, complete with baby doll under her arm. Yup, my child is not shy about running around on a playground. All that being said, I don't think she used the potty on the first day......the first thing she did when we got home was do bee line for the bathroom. LOL. It will come.

I am so utterly proud of this kid. She's confident, self assured, and decisive. I love that she did so well on her first day in a new situation. I think she took all that time we were preparing her for school to deal with her any anxiety she had. I defiantly think the first day may have been harder on me then it was her. But I'm told that's normal.

The funny thing is, every time we pull into the school's parking lot Taylor tells me "I'm going to try this school thing again" Or some other variation of that. It's like she's giving herself a little pep talk. :0)