Preschool Graduation 2016

In November 2013 we dropped our barely 3 year old littlest boy off in Miss Marilyn's classroom for his first day of preschool. Now, 2.5 years later, he is a preschool graduate.

Mr. Cooper had the pleasure of spending 3 years in Miss Marilyn's class.  We decided to wait until he was almost 6 to start Kindergarten, choosing for him to be the oldest instead of the youngest. Truthfully, this was one of the hardest decisions we've made to date in our parenting careers.  This year has been a tough one.  A year of making new friends, learning the same songs, and watching your friends go to Kinder without you.

As the year went on, Cooper make tons of new friends, played hockey with some of his old friends, and showed an eagerness to learn that I didn't expect.  This kid can already add and subtract!!  We watched him go from being a follower to a leader.

While we will never know if we made the right decision, I know that at this point I have no regrets.  The year went fast and we have an almost 5.5 year old that is more than ready to go to the bid kid school.  

I remember sitting at the graduation celebration last year knowing that he was not 'graduating' with his friends.  What I didn't know was how fast this year would go.  And how lucky for us that we got to see him graduate twice!

Without further a due, I introduce you A Child's Garden class of 2016!

Cooper is in front of the fire place in his black tie, that he wore willingly I might add

I just couldn't be prouder of this little nut.  Can't wait to drop him off for his first day of Kindergarten next year!

Here are a few videos from the celebration if you are interested in seeing them.  

The password for both is 2016.

Untitled from Christy R on Vimeo.
Untitled from Christy R on Vimeo.

Cooper's Last Day of Preschool

It's been so busy around here I haven't touched on the end of the school year which now feels ages away! Cooper had his 'graduation' on the last day of classes.  He didn't in fact graduate as he will be returning next year for an extra year of preschool since he has a late birthday.  I feel sad that he is returning to the same class but his little friends of 2 years will be gone but that is a worry for another day.....

Ms Marilyn had all the kids lined up and called them one by one to the seats.

A pretty good looking class if you ask me!

Cooper is giving me the shy eye while they wait to do their presentation, a song they learned from each month of school.

After the concert they got called up one by one to receive the alphabet book they had been working on for a few months and a little diploma.

The teachers picked a word to describe each kid and they assigned Cooper the word keen.  Not really sure what the meaning behind that was.  I was expecting class clown or funny.

Cooper wasn't thrilled to have his photo taken with us but we got one anyway.  So proud of my youngest man - especially for agreeing to wear a collared shirt.

Here is Cooper with his 3 best friends from school.

He was so lucky to make these friends last year and to have remained friends for all of preschool.  I will truly miss these boys and their moms.  I have found the friendships I made through Coopers preschool to be such a bonus.  And quite unexpected since I only go once a week to drive him.  I know Cooper will miss his buddies next year and I hope we will see them for the odd play date.

We are so fortunate to have Ms. Marilyn as a teacher.

She is exactly what you want for a preschool teacher.  She loves those kids like her own.  She is soft spoken and affectionate, yet keeps them in line when she needs to.  We are lucky to have her for our third year next year.

Cooper is such a ham. He is funny, friendly, and very social.  He makes friends easily and is eager to play with the older kids that Grady brings home.  He has such a little sense of humour that brings a smile to my face.  His personality is shining through these days and it will be interesting to see how an extra year of preschool and being the oldest will be reflected in his schooling.

It is such a pleasure watching you grow up Cooper!

Cooper's First Day of Preschool

We have been patiently waiting for this day since Cooper met his teacher back in September.  The kid was ready to go.  This was going to be the first unparented thing that he did.  He hadn't been dropped off by me somewhere in well over a year and I really wasn't sure how it was going to go.

We talked about it all week.  We talked about his teacher, how he wasn't supposed to pee his pants, how he had to go all alone, and what he would have for snack.  Grady was giving him big brotherly advice and telling him about all the toys they would have at school.  Cooper told us he was a big boy and he was going to go to school all on his own.

We arrived in the nick of time.  I brought Cooper to the bathroom and reminded him about telling the teacher if he had to pee.  By the time we were done the door to the class was open and it was go time.  I walked Cooper to the door, the teacher had a chat with him and he walked in and went for the train table.  He didn't look back.  As much as I wanted that good bye hug I didn't want to wreck a good thing so I watched him for a few seconds and I left.

This was my first 2 hour break from the kids on my day off.  It was wonderful!  I ordered my xmas cards, did a few exercises, worked on a shutterfly book, and cleaned off my dining room table where you will usually find all my paperwork. I felt productive.    I hope I get that much accomplished every week!

I headed back to get Cooper and the teacher had a glowing report.  Cooper sat for all of circle time, played with the other kids, listened like a champ, and didn't pee his pants.  Score!

I was so pleased with his first day.  When I he came out I asked him what he did and he told me he played trains, sang songs and read books.  I was most happy to hear that he played well with the other kids.  Grady was always so shy and it was always a struggle, I love that Cooper is a little more social and not nearly as shy.

I am just so proud of my littlest boy and how he was confident enough to just walk into the classroom full of kids he didn't know and do his own thing.  I am so interested to see how our little guy will grow and change this year.  He is growing up so fast.  

Here's to Cooper's first day of preschool and a year full of learning!

Being Goofy 

Notice these first day of school pictures were taken inside.  Not as fun to do outside pictures in the winter, although I shouldn't complain, it was gorgeous outside on Tuesday.  For November.

Grady wanted in on one to.

Grady's Actual Birthday and Preschool Graduation aka the last Birthday Post

The morning of Grady's birthday was supposed to be his preschool graduation.  When the city announced that all schools were closed on the 24th I started to wonder if the preschool would cancel the graduation as well.  In the end, the preschool (which isn't a part of the school system) decided that that show would go on!  I was actually very happy that they did.  After days of staying off the streets and keeping low key, it was great to get out and celebrate the kids accomplishments of the past 2 years.  And of course, Grady's Birthday.

I convinced G to wear a non angry bird T-shirt and got him into this collared shirt.  He looked so grown up.  And of course we needed a picture in our birthday hat, a tradition we started last year I believe.

On Friday, it was Grady's day to wear the birthday crown at school.  They get to bring treats, wear the crown, and I assume the kids sing happy birthday.  Since school was cancelled Friday, this did not happen.  Grady was upset.  I emailed the teacher and asked if he could wear the birthday crown for the first hour of school before the graduation.  She was so sweet and said it was already on the agenda.  They went ahead and let him wear it for the entire morning!

They did a great little presentation where the kids were presented with a photo album of pictures of them taken over the year and also a certificate.   They did a great job.

This past 2 years of preschool has really made me appreciate the importance of a great teacher.  Grady loved going to school and this was largely due to his fantastic teachers.  I also realized that the thank you that we tell them at the end of the year in no way shows the amount of gratitude that I have towards these 2 wonderful woman.

We went for lunch after school.  Remind me next time I say I am taking the kids to a restaurant that it isn't a good idea. It never is.

After lunch I let Grady open his gift from us - a new bouncy castle.  He was so excited to finally open the big present that had been wrapped in the office for a few days.

 

He told me that it was the best gift I had ever given him.  Even though he had told me the exact same thing the day before :)  I got the biggest unsolicited hug ever and that made it all worth while!

We had N+N over during the afternoon to play.  Their mom was busy working from home trying to meet the tax deadline and their dad was off to help some friends clean out their house that suffered severe flood damage. This was my way of feeling like I was helping someone. Over the past several days I have felt useless and at least this made me feel like I was helping out in some small way.

I have no pictures of this play date as I had my hands more than full with 4 boys!  Ha! 

After the boys left, we had the family over for a burger supper and more cake of course!

We snapped our annual family shot.

And headed out to the bouncy castle for a few jumps.

 

All in all it was great day celebrating our 5 year old boy. 5 years old. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy the celebrations were over. I'm exhausted. Catch 'ya next year!

Christmas Concert 2012

Grady had his preschool Christmas concert yesterday and what a treat it was. They have it during class at 9:30am so James and I got to skip out of work for the morning to enjoy the show.

We bought shirts and ties for the boys for my brother's wedding in the summer and the shirt came with these cute blue ties that they never wore... so a few days ago I started prepping Grady for potentially wearing the tie to the concert.  At first he didn't want to but I convinced him that is was such a pretty light blue tie and then his Dad would wear one to.  I guess it worked!

Here is my handsome young man before leaving for school.

Here is my littlest handsome man who always wants to be like his brother.

Of course I couldn't get one of the boys together, but truthfully, I've given up trying.  I tried to convince Grady to sit with Cooper on the stairs and when he finally started to walk over, Cooper got up.  I did, however, get some great shots of me trying to get Grady to give me just one nice smile.

We arrived at school and Grady sat on the edge of the semi circle like he has for all of his concerts.  Cooper wanted so badly to stand beside his big brother but his big brother wanted nothing to do with him.  I finally had to bring Cooper to the back of the room where he was quite mad and showed it.  

Cutest darn reindeer if I do say so myself :)

 

I've seen such a huge difference in Grady from last year at school. This year he takes off running in to the room when the door opens and doesn't look back.  Part of me is sad that he no longer needs that hug goodbye, but most of me is just plain happy that he likes school so much.

He sang each and every song this time around and even had some actions to go along with it. In concerts prior, he just stood there. I knew full well that he knew the songs as I hear them at home.  But the kid is just so shy. Yes, my loud and rambunctious son is actually very shy in public.

There is nothing like a kids Christmas concert to remind you that Santa is arriving in '5 sleeps' as Grady puts it!

First Day of School - Pre K

Yesterday was Grady's first day of 4 year old preschool.  Last year, I was excited for him, but nervous that he wouldn't like it.  I was excited for him to make new friends, but nervous that I would get a call that he had an accident in his pants.  My oh my what a difference a year makes.

This year he talked about school and which of his friends would be in his class and which ones may not.  One of his little friends that came to his birthday party has changed schools this year and I haven't had the heart to tell him that he won't be going to the same school anymore. I am hoping he doesn't notice... fingers crossed....

We have talked about the fact that he will be in the same room as last year but that he will have a new teacher that only teaches 4 year olds.  He seems quite pleased with that. Thankfully, one of the teachers will be the same as last year making the transition really smooth.

It is hard to believe that at this time next year we will be sending the young lad off to a real school with real teachers and real expectations.  It makes me so excited for him, afteralll, I met my BFF of nearly 30 years on my first day of kindergarten! 

All in all, the morning went well.  We posed for our 'first day of school' pictures on the front step before getting in the van.  Which by the way I plan on doing until they absolutely refuse to have their pictures taken. 

We even let Cooper get in on a few of the pics.

Cooper would have gone to school with Grady if he could have.  We arrived at school and when the door opened both kids charged in and went for the toys.  As I sat and listened to the welcome speech from the teacher, the kids played nicely with the toys and didn't attach themselves to me like they did last year.   When the teacher was done talking, I told Grady we were leaving and gave him a kiss. He was perfectly content that I was leaving, unlike last year when he screamed bloody murder!

Cooper on the other hand started screaming and kicking his legs when I told him we were leaving.  I picked him and his shoes (that were now on the floor) up and carried him out of the class.  I stopped to briefly talk to the teacher on the way our and Cooper charged back in.  He really wanted to stay.  I hope I don't run into that problem every week!

When I picked G up after school the teacher told me to be sure to pick up his picture and that I had a real little artist in Grady.  Which is true, Grady loves arts and crafts right now.  He is finally coloring in the lines and loves to sit at the table with stickers and markers.   Very unlike last year when he didn't do crafts willingly, only when required.

I am so excited to see what G will learnt..... Here's to another great year of preschool!!

Change

I have never been one to embrace change with open arms.  Instead I avoid it like the plague.

I am a person of routine and consistency.  Always have been.  When I was younger I would set up my room exactly the same no matter where I was living.  It gave me a sense of home no matter where I was.  I like things to stay the same .  Why fix something that isn't broken?

I wasn't expecting the change that came with Grady starting preschool.  We had a routine before.  And I liked it.  Grady went to Nana's 2 days a week and I got all my errands and appointments done and spent some quality one on one time with little Scooper (my recent favorite nickname).  I exercised on the days Grady was away and made those my shower and get ready days.  We had a standing play date on Wednesdays and the list could go on and on.... I knew what to expect every week and enjoyed the routine that we had established over the past year.

Enter Preschool.

Preschool is Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  These were Nana Days in the past.  So now instead of sending Grady off for a day of fun with Nana, I am a busy lady trying to get 2 kids (and myself) dressed and out the door.  This means that Cooper can not nap until 10am even if he gets up at 6am.  If I don't get him down by 10:30, he can not nap until 12pm, after we have picked Grady up.  In other words we are forced into a school schedule rather than just following Cooper's schedule.  Because of that, Cooper is slowly transitioning to 1 nap that can not occur until after preschool pickup.

I used to know which days I would exercise, shower, get my groceries etc. and it is just now, after a month, that I feel I am finally starting to get the hang of this whole school schedule.  I still prefer the old routine, but at least I don't hate the new routine as much as I did.

The sad thing is that it is only a matter of time before I go back to work and all of our routines will be changing all over again.  For now, I choose to tuck that away and worry about it when it is closer.  For now, I choose to enjoy being at home with my little men.

Preschool 2

I wanted to follow up my Tuesday post about preschool and how his first 'alone' day went but I am really not to sure what to say.

As we walked up to preschool he asked to hold my hand again so I knew he was a little nervous.  He told me as we were walking in that he didn't want to go by himself.  I told him it will be exciting to show Cooper his classroom and avoided the question slightly.  We arrived before the doors opened.   I have decided that in the future I will aim to be there at 9:30 or slightly later.  The first 30 minutes are free play so it won't matter. I don't like the anxiety I get waiting for the door to open.  I am sure Grady has the same feeling.

We walked into the classroom after hanging his Cars backpack on the hanger (this he was excited about).  I showed him where the bathroom was again and reminded him that I would be back to pick him up when school was over.  I kissed him (I think, at his point I was freaking out a little), told him to have fun and that I would be back to pick him up.  I stood up and walked away and did my best not to look back.   He stared blankly at me.  No smile, no tears, he just watched me.

I stood outside the classroom waiting for the cries.  I waited and heard nothing.  So I left.

I carried around my cell phone, the land line, and called James to make sure his cell was on.  I didn't get a phone call that he pooped or that he was hysterical so I was optimistic as I arrived to pick him up.

As he came to the door with a big smile on his face, he gave me a hug and told me it was so much fun by himself.  I let out a sigh of relief.

I wanted to ask him so many questions but tried to hold them all back and let him tell me what he wanted.  From what I gather, he did a craft that had to stay there, he did go pee and he did tell his teacher, he played outside with trucks, and he had apple (I doubt it), crackers and water for snack.  I have no idea if any of this is true.  Except the playing outside, his shoes were filthy!

As we were eating lunch he turned to me and told me he wants me to come to school with him next week because that is more fun.  So we shall see what next week holds, BUT with fingers crossed and knocking on wood, I think this whole school thing is going to be good for Grady.

Preschool

ahhhh I am starting school!

I am starting this post on Monday night, the night before my oldest son starts preschool. Tomorrow is all about him and ensuring he has the best experience possible. On the eve of his first day I can't help but be worried about how the day will ago. Just over 2 years ago I (or should I say James) dropped my baby off at daycare for the first time. He cried. And over the year he spent at daycare while I was at work he cried almost every day at drop off. I am so thankful to James for dealing with this every single morning before starting his day at work.

I am optimistic that preschool will be better. Different. Although I have lingering thoughts that the drop offs will be awful like the daycare ones were, I keep reminding myself that he is a different boy then he was only a year ago.

We have been talking about preschool on and off since we registered him in February. We debated whether or not this was a good choice for our family. We don't know when I am going back to work which complicates things. We decided that until I am back at work and the kids are in daycare full time that it would be beneficial for Grady to get some independent time away from me. Our hope is that he will get used to, and even enjoy, time apart from his mommy. tear tear. We hope that by easing him into this independent time starting at just over 2 hours will help his transition to daycare when the time comes.


Months ago when we first broached the topic with the young man he wanted to know if he got to go on the school bus. I explained to him that Cooper and I would drop him off at school and that we would come back and pick him up. He seems to understand that this is something that he will be doing without me. This week we have been talking about it several times a day.

We have been talking about his teacher by name and about all the new friends he will make. We have been talking about the toilet and telling the teacher when he has to pee or poo. This morning we packed his school bad together and put his name on everything in the bag.

Tomorrow he start school.

I am worried for him. Will he be liked? Will he poop in his underwear? Will he be scared? Will be cry? Will he have fun? Will he like it? Will he make friends? Will they have the cars he keeps asking about? I so want for him to have a great experience.

Tomorrow is orientation day and I get to go with him. I will put on my happiest face and be excited as I can be to show him how much fun school is. Most of me will not be pretending. I am happy and I am excited for him to embark on this journey.

..................................................................................................

Jump forward to Tuesday night.  The first day is under out belts.  How did it go you ask?  I wouldn't say it was as good as I had hoped but Grady seemed to like it.  He was so excited to put on his backpack and get out of the house this morning that we actually left 15 minutes early, dropped Cooper off with Nana, and went to the bank and drove around while waiting for it to be an appropriate time to arrive.

Can this really be my baby boy?  He looks so grown up.

As we walked into the preschool Grady was excited and nervous.  I could tell because he insisted on holding my hand.  I actually had butterflies in my stomach.  We entered the classroom and Grady high tailed it to the truck and car area.  He actually asked me this morning if they would have trucks and if they would have as many as him.  I told him no one had as many as him!

I started to talk to a Mom of another little boy who loves construction vehicles and before you know it we were talking about poop.  Her son is also on stool softeners daily. Crazy how you can instantly connect with other parents who have similar problems.

I think Grady loved the toys and activities they had set up but I have concerns that he wouldn't do anything on his own.  I hope that he was just excited to show me everything and wanted me to watch/play with him because I was there.  Maybe if I wasn't there he would have happily played by himself or with the other kids.  Maybe not?

I am also still concerned about the potty situation.  He used the bathroom while we were there but he told me so quietly and shyly that I just can't see him telling the teacher.  I fully expect there could be an accident.  I asked the teacher about it as we were leaving and she said that many parents put their kids in pull ups the first few weeks so I think that is what I will do.  Just to ease my mind a little.  But he won't pee in a diaper, I know he won't so it will still lead to discomfort and the potty dance that I hope will be noticed by the teacher.

I think seeing the school and meeting the teacher helped Grady with understanding what school was and it made me more nervous for the drop off on Thursday.  I am trying to focus on the positive that Grady asked me when he gets to go by himself.  I hope that means he is ready.

Some things I took away from today:

• Make sure he pees before we go to school - there is a sign as you enter the classroom - good idea!
• Make sure that he is well fed and hydrated - he asked for a snack and a drink before the hour was up.  Not sure what he will think of the healthy snack and water that is provided :)

Seriously, when did this boy eat my baby?