Preschool Days

Tess was so excited for her first day of preschool this morning!  She didn't seem at all nervous, though I can't say the same for Ryan and I.  We were both feeling a little anxious about it last night.

When I was walking her up to class, Tess said, "Mom, you stay for a minute and help me find something to play.  Then you gotta go.  Mommies don't go to school.  But I'll be back."  Then she added, "Mom, you can't believe what a big girl I am?"

Nope, I can't believe it.

Tess with her teacher, Ms. Jean.

The report:

Home Again

So we're back home again, enjoying cooler weather and getting ready for fall.  We went to an open house for Tess' preschool this week.  She got to meet her teachers, see her classroom, find her cubby and play with toys.  She even got to meet the class hamster, Fluffy.

This is Tess outside the front of the school.  When we got out, she pointed to the sign and said, "Mom, that the bus stop."  She's been reading words like crazy.  I started a list and there are about 40 words she can read by sight.  She also told me this is her new pose for taking a "cute picture." "When I want a cute picture, I go like this."

Good thing she's cute.  We were all ready for the open house and I was strapping the kids in the car when I discovered that Tess had wet her pants.  Tess' peeing is going to be the end of me.  My one hope and salvation is that she usually only wets at home.  At least I hope that's the case for preschool.  Her backpack is going to be stuffed full of underwear.  

This is the back entrance to the school, which has a long path up a big hill.  Tess is in the "upstairs" class, and the older kids are in the "downstairs" class.  She starts school this week, and will attend Tuesday and Thursdays from 9:15 to 1:15.  She gets to bring a lunch to eat at school.  Oh boy, is she going to be a big girl!

Her favorite activity, of course, is the kitchen playset.

I have lots of friends who love this preschool program.  Everyone I asked couldn't say enough amazing things about it.  I'm really hoping it will help Tess improve her social skills.  When her teacher came up to meet her, Tess buried her head in my legs.  The teacher asked her simple questions and encouraged her to use words to answer, but Tess was too shy.

It will be interesting to see how she does.  It's a long day--I don't think I ever left her for 4 hours with anyone but family.  But considering how long it takes her to warm up and feel comfortable, I think the long separation will be a good thing.

Drewbie, Drewbers, Drewster.  Um, that kid has kind of been driving us crazy lately.  His top two teeth are breaking through and it looks like a bunch more are on their way.  He's been cranky and not sleeping and all that good stuff.  

Also new with him, he's too big now for his baby carrier car seat.  This is a tough transition because he's still not great at sitting up in a grocery cart or restaurant high chair by himself, and usually ends up bonking himself in the swollen teeth at some time during an outing.  He's also a heavy, squirmy kid, and I can't just set him down without his carrier.  

We tried going out for dinner last night, and he was just impossible:  grabbing everything in sight, shredding the paper on the table, cranky, shrieking and refusing his bottle.  I finally brought his big carseat into the restaurant so we'd have a place to restrain him.  It was the worst going-out experience we've had since...well, since Tess went through this same stage.

Some things really are like deja vu.  Drew's been clapping a lot lately.  That was one of Tess' first games too.  Here's a video of Tess the happy clapper at 11 months.

Drew has also enjoyed my new nursery calling.  I take him in for the first hour of nursery and he totally loves playing with the toys and hanging out with the "big" kids.  That has made church a little easier.

Speaking of church, this is Tess' drawing of "Mommy at church with a long dress."

We also have church at 11:00 now instead of 9 am.  Which allows for morning nap before church.  I was surprised to see Drew conked out on the living room floor.  Guess that's what happens when you're up twice at night and then wake Dad up at 6:30 am.  Isn't he cute, though?

Lots of changes and adjustments.  We'll get there with time.

August 2011 Tidbits

Tess was riding her tricycle down to the "angel" this evening. It's her favorite landmark on our sidewalk--a neighbor's plastic fairy lawn ornament that she's loved now for years. (Here's proof.) It's also the farthest point she can ride where we can still see her, so it's a good stopping point. I asked her if she would like to take the angel a flower on one of her trips. Ry and I watched her pedal down to the angel, with the flower stowed in the back of her bike. Then we could see her approach the angel slowly with the flower behind her back, which she whipped out for surprising, dramatic effect. We watched her have a long, animated conversation with the angel and then she pedaled back to us. Ry asked Tess what she told the angel. Tess' reply: "I told her to enjoy it!"

Today Tess told me that the animals at the pet store were missing her.

Tess was examining her thighs as she was sitting in her carseat. She reported excitedly, "Mom, my legs getting all wobbly like yours! Yeah! I growing up!"

The morning of our flight home from Idaho, Tess woke me up in bed with big tears in her eyes. "Mom, I don't want to leave Idaho. I like it."

Tess and Lauren were discussing what they want to be when they grow up. Tess informed Lauren that Drew is going to be a "football maker."

The first day in Idaho Tess was playing with all her cousins and I asked if she was glad to see them again.  "Yes," she said, "It's good to see that they still alive."

In the car today Tess pointed out a car in front of us with its blinking turn signal on. "What wrong with that car's light, Mom? It must need batteries or someping."

Tess' Saturday agenda included playing "kitty kitchen" with Dad. The kitties decided to have Family Home Evening together. Ryan's Dad kitty gave a lesson on nature and he asked the other kitties, "Who made all the beautiful trees and rivers and things in nature?" Tess' kitty responded, "Jesus!" Then she quickly corrected her answer, "I mean Kitty Jesus!"

While I (Ryan) was driving yesterday with Tess in the car, Tess pointed out a police car. I said, "Tess, what do the police do?" Tess replied, "They help people. When people fall down, they help them get up or something."

When we arrived at the playground, I (Ryan) pointed out a basketball hoop to Tess. She asked where the hoop came from. I told her that I didn't know. Tess responded, "Maybe the workers built it. That was nice."

"Mom, know why I like Dipsy's Papa? Cuz I like hammocks."

Tess went to play at her friend Cade's house today. She asked me what I was going to do without her and how long I'd be gone. I told her that I'd be gone long enough for her to play. "Mom, I hope you gone a long time."

While reading to Tess this morning, she pointed out and read several words, including: you, start, prince, kids, yellow and baby. She always points at the word and says, "Why that say you?" "Why that say baby?"

Today in the car Tess asked me, "Why that pool beside you, Mom?" We were in the grocery store parking lot, and I told Tess there was no pool anywhere to be seen. "No, Mom, that pool right by your head!" Huh? I turn my head to see the top of my seatbelt shoulder harness, inscribed with the word "PULL." Stunned, I asked her how she knows the word pull. "I just teached myself."

Idaho Live!