First Day of Preschool Part 2

8:40 am this morning: I hear screaming and crying as Parker and I are leaving the Day School.  That can't be my child because I just walked out and she was playing at the sand table with a little boy and was fine.  So I keep walking down the hall.  The crying becomes shriller, higher pitched, and is accompanied by the "moooooommmmy"  scream only a mother knows is distinctly her own child's no matter how much it sounds like every other kids'.  I turn around, knowing I shouldn't go back into the room, and run right into a woman leaving, as well.  She sees the look on my face and my hesitation, AND hears the screaming, and says "don't go back.  He or she'll be fine.  It will be worse if you go back."  So without confirming that it was Carleigh, and knowing in my heart that it was, I leave the school premises and Parker and I head out and go about our day.

I got ahead of myself, I know.  But my whole day has been wrapped up in anxiety because I have been worried about Carleigh in the hope that she'll enjoy herself and be okay.  

As soon as they let us in the doors this morning and we got into the classroom, Carleigh showed Dustin and Papaw around.  She was excited to see Miss Colleen and Mr. Chris (the assistant) and was eagerly awaiting Charlotte's arrival.  Dustin and Papaw had to leave a few minutes after they walked in (which I probably should have done, too) but I stuck around for about 3 or 4 more minutes and as I said good-bye, Carleigh asked what Parker and I were going to go do, and when I told her, she got very quiet.  I told her I'd be back shortly after lunch and we hugged and fist kissed our hearts together.  I walked out the door and the fit began.  

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I received a call from Miss Colleen later this morning stating that Carleigh had cried and threw a tantrum for about 15 minutes this morning before joining in the group activities.  She also told me that after numerous hand washes, Carleigh was brought to tears when the hearts on her hand rubbed off.  Aside from that, she was transitioning between activities well, getting along with other kids great and being very enthusiastic.

When I picked Carleigh up this afternoon, Miss Colleen told me that before the tears fell from Carleigh's eyes after the hand washing incident, she asked her if Mommy was really on her hand and Carleigh shook her head no.  She said "Mommy's at home and is coming to get me soon."  That diverted her attention from the hand incident and they moved on to a different activity.  We'll work on the fact that Mommy's in her heart in the future.  We'll also move the glitter tattoos to her upper arms to avoid any future preschool meltdowns.  

Carleigh, Parker and I went to OrangeLeaf after school to celebrate the first day.  She said she really enjoyed herself and didn't even mind nap time.  She loved the playground and had fun playing with the dollies the most.  It will be interesting, to say the least, to see how Tuesday goes.  Nevertheless, Mommy will be there, ready for anything and here to wipe the tears or to be on the receiving end of a high five.  Because that's what Mommy's do.

First Day of Preschool Part 1

The big day had arrived!

The morning of her first day of school, I put matching glitter tattoos on Carleigh's and my hand to symbolize "mommy" and "Carleigh" on each heart.  So that if she was at school and got sad, she could just look at her hand and know that Mommy was with her.  Because I had a matching one, she was really excited.

  Carleigh's first school lunch ever was packed.  For the record, it was a ham and turkey sandwich sans crust, grapes (which I now know need to be halved), string cheese (which I now know needs to be preshredded), a plum, and a Capri Sun Roaring Water. 

Her backpack was packed, the contents of which were a change of clothes, her school folder and her nap mat (courtesy of Gigi's amazing sewing skills).  After packing it all in, I realized it was going to be tough for her to actually carry it, LOL.

Come on now, what would the first day be without first day posterity pictures?  She was a sport!

Indeed, I was right, she couldn't carry the backpack load without falling over so she dragged it to the car.

Papaw came over to ride with us to the school and wish her well on her first day, too!

We left the house at 7:45 am and she was eager and excited.  After Meet the Teacher, she seemed at ease and ready. 

We got there a bit early and Carleigh poked her head in the door windows and checked out the teachers cleaning the playground.

She looked so little in front of the big school.

She tested out her backpack without the napmat inside and could wear it.

She felt just like Dora.

And said she was ready to go to school!

Carleigh's Meet The Teacher Day

Today was Meet the Teacher at Carleigh's School!  I've been pumping Carleigh up about Miss Colleen so she's been nervously excited for about a week now!  My friend Marissa suggested we request this teacher last year at registration based on her experience and we were so excited to get her!

Oh, and since I was Mom of the year last week, and flaked on Parent Orientation (ugh, still can't believe it - instead we went to Meet the Brahmas), we felt a little Meet the Teacher gift was in order.  And since, Mommy's creative juices died the second Parker was born, a Target Gift card it was with a nice card included with a heartfelt message about how elated we both were about the school year.

My friend Jill, helped me come up with a catchy phrase to tie the gift card into the new year and wa-la - teacher gift done - and still cutesy!

Carleigh was super excited to give the gift to Mrs. Colleen!  She carried it into the school and handed it to her upon meeting her.  But that's when the shyness came out!  I wasn't expecting it at all, because she's normally so extroverted!

She hung real close to my side as we checked out her cubby and she found her name.

She explored the room cautiously, yet optimistically.

I tried keeping Parker in his stroller.  No such luck.  He wanted out.  And he had no problem leaving my side and exploring.

He made himself right at home!

Carleigh warmed up by coloring and drawing while I sat beside her.  

Just like at home, she had to keep things away from Parker.  I told her that at school there wouldn't be any annoying little brothers.  Score 1 for school.

Then she found the sand table.

And she warmed up even more.  I think she became down right hot, she got so happy!

Did I mention, she found a friend.  Her gymnastics buddy, Charlotte, is in her class, too!  So that brought her out of her shell, too!  After an hour of playing and getting the lay of the classroom, she told me she wasn't ready to leave when I told her it was time to go!  Mommy mission accomplished!!!

See you Thursday, Miss Colleen!  We are looking forward to a thrilling 3 year old year!

Hot Dog Dance (Video)

For a few weeks now, any time the end song to the Mickey Mouse show comes on, Parker high tails it back to the TV area front and center to do his best impression of the Hot Dog Dance.  He loves Mickey and gets a good laugh out of Goofey, too!  We get a good laugh out of him!

The Everyday

 Carleigh's gotten to the point where she plays, or I should say reads (makes up stories to the pictures), to herself for large chunks of time during the day when I am taking care of Parker or doing household chores.

She'll pull off all the books on the shelves in her room, play room, or baskets in the family room and stack them in "unread" and "read" piles.  She doesn't move from her spot until her entire "unread" pile has moved to the "read" pile.

Carry on, funny girl.  Mommy was just capturing the moment.  Didn't mean to disturb you.

Practice

Being a girl, Carleigh's naturally moody.  Which means she's not always in the mood for pictures.  But when she is, she tells me to take her picture.  And last week after gymnastics, in her new penguin leotard she wanted me to take some photos of her being silly and practicing her skills.  So naturally, I obliged.

10 Months Old!

Happy 10 months Parker!!!

Remember a few months ago how I used to describe him as chill?  Laid back?  Well, that Parker has been replaced by the new maniac, on-the-go Parker.  Still lovable and adorable, but he's not reading books with Carleigh, that's for sure!  He'd rather be breaking the baby proofing measures we've set up throughout the house.

What Parker's up to:

- clapping

- dancing

- says "ca-ca" for "clap," "clap" because we sing "If you're happy and you now it" all the time. (along with dada, mama, uh and gaga)

- bends down to pick things up while walking and keeps going

- eats from snack cup/drinks from sippy cup while walking

- focuses and gives attention to dogs and pets them aggressively (i.e. pinching them)

- goes up and down stairs (up stairs proficiently, down stairs with not as much success)

- gets into the dog's water bowl at every opportunity

- LOVES to be outside no matter how hot it is

Parker's stats are that he's 20 lbs (43%) and 27 3/4 inches (21%).  He has the chubbiest feet (definitely wide width) and short little legs and finally has a head full of fine blonde hair.  He is wearing size 9 month onesies, size 6-12 shirts and shorts and just moved into size 4 diapers this month.  I think his face is even thinning out a bit.  Oh, how I love that face!!!

About those baby proofing locks he broke?  Maybe he can work on fixing those in his 11th month?  One can hope!