nerves, excitement and love :: first day emotions

we've been gearing up for the first day of pre-k for several months. evia went to a nursery school when diegas and i were both full time, but post-mila, she has been home with me full time. she has a few hours with her nana once a week and swim lessons in the summer, but aside from that the three of us are together 24-7. between her first stint at 20 months in day-care and what we decided on this go-round, we've seen at least a dozen places in our small town. we're so happy with the school we finally decided on that fits our family and is perfect for our big girl. in early spring we signed up and since then it has been the hot topic of conversation. over the summer we visited together, once with mama and once with papa. evia enjoyed getting to know her teachers and experiencing the environment. we all knew just what to expect when fall rolled around.

in the days leading up to her first day, she told all those she came in contact with that thursday would be her big day. the night prior she was so excited anticipating the day with bated breath and practically jumped into bed with such enthusiasm. but as her little body was drifting off to sleep she began to cry. the vulnerability that darkness can bring was bringing her emotions out and this time she was feeling overwhelmed. i explained to her that in the night, everything seems a little bigger than when the sun shines. everyone who begins something new is nervous and it is completely natural. i also said, i think mamas take their kids to get an afterschool treat of their choice on the first day (do they? that is the sentence that worked to allow her to fall asleep). 

needless to say she woke up feeling herself and ready for the challenge! i gave her a photo of the family, as an added security measure, just in case she needed us she could just reach in and we would be there. we went as a family to drop her off and i realized as she hung her backpack, signed her little name in, found her cubby and started playing with the dress-up clothes in the housekeeping area of the room...that this feeling i was having was something i will definitely have no matter how old she is or what school year she is about to start. i was so happy for her, i couldn't wait to see her again, i was so proud of who she was and who she was about to become.

pre-k, august 28, 2014

day one, walking into the classroom

she chose this photo for her cubby, because her cousin isei is in the top left hand corner

snacktime, photo cred: laurie w

first in-school project, a booklet with drawings that correspond to the sentences. here she is on the ladder of the slide

her class bunny with spots and the next page friends eating snap peas

first homework assignment. they shared their posters the following school day

after school treat of choice, cupcakes. walking hand in hand with her sister

 

enjoying cupcakes with her favorite preschool buddies and sister! success!!