So the first day of Sophie going to preschool has come and gone. She started about 3 weeks before turning three years old. I put up a photo gallery on smugmug with a description which I shall paste here in the interest of getting back to my teething 6 and 1/2 month old sooner rather than later:
Ah, she is growing up so fast indeed. Soph's first day at the Granada preschool, April 17th, started out pretty well! She had a breakfast of canteloupe, banana and some pink milk. Got dressed in her special first day outfit, teeth brushed, hair brushed, lunchbox investigated twice and off went the four of us! We met teacher's assistant Martha out in the play yard, handed over paperwork, and gave quick goodbye hugs. She started to cry a little but then went into the sandbox area with teacher Lacey (and her 'light blue care bear') - not too bad at all! When I called at 10:30 to see how her day was going, her teacher Kathy told me that there had been ups and downs- could be better, could be worse. She was a little pouty- bottom lip out- was sitting with Elvia when I called, one of the assistants. She was happy during circle time/stories, but not happy outside in the play area during free play time- she wanted to go in and look at books (she likes those inside rooms- so many interesting things in there.) She did not have the snack with the other kids but was off by herself looking at books and brooding a bit. Kathy said she had some new Bob the Builder construction hats and tools that she was going to bring out - thinking that might improve her mood! I picked her up at about 12:15- got to observe her for a few minutes playing outside- she was in the sand area again, and talking to a little blonde girl. So sweet. I picked her up and she got a Granada preschool t-shirt, blue of course, and a first day of school ribbon. AND they were doing a "Cars" pinata right after we left (for the full day kids) but her teacher had made up a goody bag for sophie to take with her beforehand so that she would not feel left out. As we left she said to Kathy- "next time I will be invited." so cute! she was in good spirits as we left. I asked what was her favorite part and she said the sandbox. We are so proud of her! I think she did great and hopefully this will be a good thing that she enjoys...
Of course we have been talking a lot about it in the time since the first day ended. She recapped for me that she sat next to a little boy AND a little girl at lunch, that she needed help with her cheese stick (unwrapping it) that she did not go potty until I came to pick her up, that the best part was when she found Muck (a Bob the Builder construction machine) in the sandbox. Apparently she did not look at books (she did) or the class did not sing any songs (they did as they do every day) and she mentioned that she did not do any puzzles. I asked her how she felt and she said that she was scared, because I was not there, but that she only cried a little- not a lot. Too adorable. She said she did not make any friends, and she did not climb on the climbing area thingy or go on the swing. I guess she was just happy in the sandbox with the Bob toys- Kathy said she enjoyed the Bob things as long as she had them all- when other kids took some she got upset. No surprise there! Sharing is such a dicey thing- sometimes she will, other times it seems almost impossible.
Yesterday at mommy and me, (I had her alone, Alex was with Rachel) she cried out and got upset when I had gone inside for discussion. I had told her I was going in, but when she looked up and I was not there she got upset- understandably. Of course I reassured her that at this mommy and me class I am always with her- even if she can't see me because I am at the snack area or inside. She skipped her nap- and was a total disaster area for Dad's birthday dinner. She and Rachel had made a homemade chocolate cake with cream cheese flavored frosting- very sweet- but she was just a wreck from too long of a day. I put her in her room for some 'quiet time' and she FLIPPED like she never has before. Had a full on tantrum and went into our room slammed the door, and hid next to the bed. I let her just work it out for about 10 minutes and finally went in to check on her- she told me to go away! I told Geoff that we really will need to give her some leeway the next few weeks- the room to feel what she needs to feel. This is such a huge transition- being at preschool on her own- no mom, grammy or established friends to make her feel comfortable. I am sure it will take a while to get into the groove and begin to feel confident about all the dynamics going on there...I am really so proud of her though and she is such a little darling- so clever and funny. I am trying to bolster her up as much as I can so that she feels like she can do it and have good days in her new environment. They say the Tuesday/Thursday part time schedule is tricky, because they don't quite get in the swing- Friday - Monday is a long time to not attend something that demands regularity to feel like an established ritual. I guess we will have to do some pretend preschool at home during the 4 day breaks.
Tonight we had an engagement party/lunch for our dear friends Ken and Cara- it was nice and my mom, Robert and gram came- they brought little Bean back up to Oxnard with them to visit for a couple of days. They adore her and she loves them so- there is freedom there, toys aplenty, books and puzzles and devotion. She gets to be the center of their world while she is there, and I get to focus on my little guy and try to get life in order while she is gone...
I sometimes forget how truly luminous in spirit she is sometimes, but her sparkling ways shine through and really bring happiness to those she loves.
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