First Day of Preschool

As our crazy week continued, Ben started preschool the morning after our family birthday celebration.  AND......I hadn't even found the iron in our unpacking.  The added stress of two non-iron outfits that week nearly put me over the edge!

After having visited twice before, Ben was ready and excited to get to school and his monkey backpack and lunch box were the best buddies.  He attends preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12:15ish and does eat lunch with his friends at school.

 

"ahh! he's gone forever! sigh, cry, sob-wahhhhh!"

We had also gotten a long list of necessary supplies only the Thursday before that Tante and I had worked hard to pull together Monday.  His school requested a family box full of toys and favorite non-valuable things that was decorated with his name and family pictures, stickers, etc.  This box would be a task for anyone but for us with only half our belongings in our house  and fewer unpacked it was challenging.  Despite that I was happy with the result and hear over and over from Ben's teachers about how much the kiddos love sharing their boxes.

I guess a plus of my being behind in blogging is that I can now report on Ben's progress so far.  Of the six days he has attended, only one included tears (for both of us.) I was told Ben's tears likely ended before mine did.  On the first day, Ben did not sit in music class or for circle time or for lunch (without help).  Only three weeks in however, he sits for all these things except when, "music class warrants dancing.  Then we just can't keep him down."  

Lots of Ben's little classmates are really struggling with being separated from their caretakers so there are lots of tears and lots of noise.  I am hoping that continues to improve because I think it will greatly impact how enjoyable class is for everyone. 

Ben has already enjoyed finding pumpkins in the garden, baking Challah, and has music, art and gym classes each week.  At home we are helping him treat his toys gently and practice circle time.  His teachers keep a blog with daily updates and lots of pictures and based on the pictures it's clear Ben often chooses which books are read in circle time:).  We also have photographic evidence of his sitting!

Back-to-school night is later this week and I'm anxious to hear what his teachers have observed so far.  Ben's love for school is apparent and his proud gait with his backpack on makes my heart warm.