Mina's First Day of Preschool

Yesterday was our first day at Kindercare preschool. Mina will be going once a week to give Meme a break and to give Mina the opportunity to be around other kids her age, without her mother hovering over her like a helicopter!

The night before I asked Mina to make sure and go to sleep nice and early so she could be rested for preschool. I kid you not, the kid did not make a peep after 8:30. The morning was uneventful, she ate her peaches and cream oatmeal (one of my favs) and got ready without any trouble. She also insisted on carrying her bag HERSELF!!! She seemed excited to be going someplace new~

From July 09

I got a couple of pictures of her in the lobby, but once we were in the 2 year old area she was GONE. Moving fast, happy to be there. Damon picked her up to say goodbye and she got very upset, thinking that we were taking her away from this awesome new place.

From July 09

From July 09

Perhaps all daycare/preschools are like this place, but I love that the center director knows every child's name and every child's parent's name. AND she gave me an email address to write to during the day if I have questions. She also told me I could call as many times as I wanted to check up on Mina.

I only called once, during "naptime" to see how things were going. As we were warned, she was struggling a little bit with the nap. (This is very common in new preschoolers) Anyhow, Audra (director) let me know that she went back to the nap area and stoked Mina's hair and rubbed her head and got her to calm down. Then Mina even slept briefly. (How cool is it that she went back there to help my child feel more comfortable???)

When we picked her up we were given a daily report sheet talking about what they learned, how well she ate and napped, and how many diapers got changed- stuff parents want to know... We were informed that Mina REALLY likes washing her hands and everytime they did a bathroom break (every 2 hours) she spent most of it washing her hands- Something to work on.

Mina did not really want to leave, she enjoyed all of these new friends. I even met a little boy who gave me kisses on the cheek with a killer whale puppet. But once I told her Daddy was waiting outside with Jovie, she got excited to leave. I will never forget the way she ran to him.. Her teeny little body, her golden curls bouncing, those short little stuttered running steps toddlers do. All while giggling wildy. Its a mother's dream to see her children throw their arms around their Daddy's neck.

Anyhow, we got her in the car and started on the way home. And I noticed something peculiar... Her speech had changed. I looked at Damon and said "She is enunciating better." We both listened for a while, and SERIOUSLY- she speaks more like a little kid than she did when she entered those glass doors. It was shocking and great.

Sidebar- I know her voice will change as she grows, but I hope she keeps her champagne-bubble laugh.

This is a crappily worded post. If you got this far, you know me well enough to understand what I am trying to say- even as I stumble over my brain hurdles trying to make coherent sentences.