explorer

Mr. Theodore - your first day of preschool.

You were so excited to get back to school.  Especially after a week of dropping your sister off, watching her get on a huge yellow bus and heading back to our boring house - I couldn't blame you one bit.

All of the sudden you looks so much like a little boy.  The baby cheeked face is all gone.  So is the diapered baby bum.  This summer you potty trained us all little man.  It was a long ride, but we got here. 

You had a great first week as a Explorer.  We love you Mr. Theo. 

now a preschooler

Theo's first day of preschool.  He ran in and hid so we couldn't make him leave.  He has been tortured every time we drop off his sister - all the rooms with chairs and tables his size.  And then there were the toys - bins and bins of blocks, cars, play food and magnetic letters.

There were no tears shed, except maybe mine as I stalked him through the window in the parking lot.  (Theo is in the orange shirt.) Watching him play and be such a big guy brought on the misty eye.  Then seeing him sitting down - at a table - not climbing on it - working on a project with all the other kids brought on a full size tear or two.

pre-k

First day of the last year of preschool.  Officially a pre-k kid.  I would love to say there were no tears shed, but we were a little misty eyed as she ran down the hall and ditched us for her new classroom and assigned seat.   A class of 10 girls and 2 boys.  After class the girls compared twirly dresses in the hall and giggled a lot.  Even though she can't remember their names yet, they are all her best friends. 

moment: Christmas program

Her first Christmas program.

Theo was napping late so we were in a hurry, but we made it right on time.

It was in the little chapel.  Almost standing room only.  

16 excited 3-4 year olds with antlers on their heads and bells in their hands.

Kids were looking for their parents, running, yelling and waving.

Teachers were herding little ones that are trying to escape in every direction at the same time.

Eva found us in the crowd.

She was so excited her Poppy and Goggy were there too.

Somehow the amazing teachers were able to get them all in two rows, quiet and ready to go.

I think she almost lost it then.  I saw the panic - the deer-in-headlights look.

One of those amazing teachers saw it too, and got Eva to start shaking her bells.

That was enough to break her into full on performance mode.

She spent the whole first song, Jingle Bells, not singing...

but shaking those bells with all she had.

Her concentration face was on and her eyes never left her instrument.

After that, she sang and did her hand motions with everyone else. 

It was the cutest.

first day

A too small shirt showing her belly button.

What a fitting way to start her first day of preschool.

Making faces at breakfast...
then finishing her food on her daddy's lap.

Playing trains with Theodore.

As I put her name in her sweater.

We was more nervous than she was.

Me so much so that I left the car door wide open...
 the entire time we took her into her class.

She forgot about us as soon as she stepped foot into the classroom.
Hung up her backpack and settled right in.

We hung out at the door, waiting for a last look that never came.

It was good.
She did awesome.

The commemorative first day shots.
Holding Theo on my hip gives me a lean when shooting one handed - kinda funny.

She was silly, silly and bubbling over with energy.
Dancing and singing and unable to stay still.
I asked for a serious smile... that last one is what I got.
It's kinda my favorite.

Preschooler

It is official.

We no longer have a toddler.

She is a preschooler now.

Yesterday was her first day.

They kinda had to kick me out.  Politely.

Bye Mommy! Be Good!

Eva instructed me as I shuffled out.

I sat in the parking lot.

Checked my phone a bazillion times.

Fed Theodore.

Finally, I drove a block away.

Bought a coffee.

Sat in a different parking lot.

Checked the phone some more.

Got a teeny bit emotional.
Held Theodore until he fell asleep.
Watched cars drive by.
Counted down the minutes.

I told Theodore that he didn't have to grow up as fast as his sister.

He drooled on me...

 so I think that is him agreeing.

I was the first parent in the parking lot at pick up time.

Over a half an hour early.
I felt super silly.

I picked up the happiest little girl in the world.

She gave me a mini-tour and asked me if she could stay.

Then there was her first art project.

Cradled between her hands...

Here mommy, its for you. My porcupine. It has glue!

Already missing one googily eye.

As of dinner time last night, that turkey porcupine has no eyes.

Mommy, I put the eyeball in my belly!

That is a fact.
My grow-up preschool Eva ate it.