Emilia + Olivia: First Day of Preschool!

Such a big kid already!

Today was Emilia's first day of Preschool at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Preschool. Up until today, she has been going to Cathy's house all day, every week day since she was 11 weeks old. She is very comfortable at Cathy's house...it's really like an extension of home to her. While Emilia has thrived in her 4 years at Cathy's, we felt it was important for her social development to put her a new environment with new friends and new routines. We decided to enroll her for 2 half days a week to ease the transition before next year when she starts full day kindergarten every day.

Ready to head inside!

In the couple activities we have gotten Emilia involved in, she has shown us a very shy, hesitant, anxious side. While we are sympathetic to her insecurities, we don't want them to hold her back from experiencing new things or from having fun! Well - at the preschool orientation, Emilia showed us some serious separation anxiety. We got into the classroom and she insisted I stay close by while she checked things out. When it was time for the parents to go into the gym for the orientation, Emilia clung to me for dear life. I, literally, could not get her grip off from around my neck. One of the teachers had to pry her tearful little self off of me. I felt terrible walking out of the classroom but it reassured the decision we made it getting her signed up for preschool. She was fine when we got back to the classroom, but standing close by the teacher whom she "shadowed" for most of the time.

After her first experience at preschool, I knew it was important to try to get her a little more comfortable before her first real day. So we picked up the supplies on her list and brought them to the school together when there weren't any other kids there. She was able to see her teacher, Miss Marisa and walk into the classroom with a little less chaos around her. She was still very shy with Miss Marisa and didn't offer a lot of answers to the questions she was asked, but it was progress from the last time.

Emilia's Locker!

Today, was the official first day of school. She was feeling good in her new outfit, sparkly shoes and polka dot backpack, complete with a folder that had her name on it tucked inside. She cheerfully smiled for the photos I took to capture the big day and off she went with Daddy to her first day of preschool. Jeff reported her needing several hugs and kisses before he left, but she did it. We decided to both be there at 11:30am to pick her up today and hear how her first day went. She was all smiles coming out of the classroom and getting her backpack from her locker. When we got in the car, I started asking all kinds of questions but she didn't have a ton to share. The poor thing was probably still processing everything! I was just so anxious to hear if she liked it and if she had made any friends...I wanted all the details! I vowed to be less inquisitive and to just let her share the details at her own pace.