Evie Goes to Preschool

Today was Evie's first day of preschool!  

Looking excited and ready 

Evie is a "morning monkey" at Bethel Christian Preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  There are 11 kids in her class: a few more girls than boys, and some kids that look different than her.  I am happy we can expand from our mostly Caucasian play circle.  Ms. Michelle is her teacher.

School is not a new thing for Evie; she went to Mother's Day Out the last two summers.  We've talked about her new school where her friend Zachary from church will go with her.  She seemed more excited about her new school than anxious.  We drove past her new school one day and since then she asks me to drive by again.

Today was "back to school"; a shortened session with parent involvement.  Braylen went to a friend's house while Evie and I went to preschool.

Heading to school!
Little brother had to add his silliness to the picture

Day 1 of Preschool!

I haven't been to preschool in 30 years and gosh was it fun!  My personality and brain do not work like a preschool teacher's, therefore I was impressed with all the little games and tricks they have to get preschoolers to listen, move to the appropriate area, and feel comfortable.  This is the main reason I am sending her to school-  I do not have the patience and skills to teach my three year old.  She will be better prepared for kindergarten if a certified educator teaches her.  

The first part of our morning was spent in a different room than her classroom.  Evie played with some toys while all her new "friends" arrived.  Then we played a get to know our friends game.  Evie and I had to go around to her new friends, identify the sticker on his/her name tag, and ask for his/her name so mommy could write it down on our paper.  I love the idea, but this type of thing makes Evie crawl all over me, begging to hide behind me.  So Mommy played the game.  

I quickly learned that my daughter will face the same annoying first day wrong name calling as me.  Almost everyone called her "e-vee".  Her teacher said the child she knew that pronounced it the same as us was spelled "Evvie".  I can see how that might get the right pronunciation, but I dislike the way that looks!  It looks like a "w".  Luckily I was there to correct everyone, but I know Evie will be just like me, too shy to correct those who say her name incorrectly.  Sorry Evie.  

Next we moved to the classroom where the preschoolers had to find the carpet square with his/her name.

My shy girl

Ms. Michelle read them "The Kissing Hand", a book about a raccoon that was nervous to go to school.  The mama raccoon tells her little one that she will kiss his hand and anytime he misses her, he can put his hand to his cheek to feel her.  Ms. Michelle gave all of us a heart sticker to put in our preschooler's hand, along with a kiss.  We then drew each of our hands on a piece of paper and moved the heart sticker to it.

Mommy and Evie craft time
(that's Evie's little friend Zachary from church next to her)

We hung up our hands on the bulletin board so whenever Evie misses me, she can go over to it.  So adorable!  

The rest of the time was for parents and preschoolers to explore the classroom area.  We found a little welcome note and gift in her mailbox; that was pretty cool.  Evie located her cubby so we could leave a change of clothes.  

Evie's personal cubby

I wanted a picture with her teachers, but Evie wasn't feeling it.  She did give them a big smile and "good-bye" when we were leaving.  She seems excited to go back on Thursday!

Bethel is about 10 minutes further than MDOW.  It was pretty amazing to have school 2 minutes driving distance from our house.  I feel really good about my decision to send Evie to Bethel over MDOW though.  I already feel more connected to the school than I did after two summers at MDOW.  It's going to be a great year; I want to go back to preschool!  I am eager to hear and see grow.