First Day of PreSchool

Isn't it funny how when I plan to NOT be able to make a post, it DOES happen... yet when I try to set aside time to get a post done, it takes WEEKS for me to get around to doing it!

The pictures and stories from Reagan's first day of preschool today were just too precious to not post immediately for all the world to see. She woke up this morning, and she was NOT her normal happy self. She was crying, whining, and really acting out. It took me a few minutes to figure it all out, but I finally clued in that maybe she was nervous. I gently asked her if she was excited about her first day of preschool, and she sat down beside me in tears and admitted that she was scared. Auntie Anna and I both sat with her and talked it out for a few minutes. We reminded her that school was fun and that she had already met and liked her teachers. We told her of all the new friends that she was going to make, and even reminded her that both her Momsey and her Pops were also once school teachers. I think it was once we started talking about all the times that she had gone to visit Momsey at her school when we would visit in SC that she started to relax. She got really excited once we began reminding her of the times that she would go play in Mrs. Mary Jane's kindergarten class! So, once she was settled and ready, we got dressed in the special dress that she had chosen WEEKS ago to wear for her first day of school. Of course, a photoshoot by paparazzi Mommy & Auntie Anna immediately followed!Reagan and Mommy decided to give her two teachers a little gift as a "back to school" surprise. Thanks to the Semi-Slacker Mom's idea, I had the perfect gift for a pre-school teacher... EXTRA LARGE PERSONALIZED HAND SANITIZERS!You can go to The Preppy Polka-Dot to get your own!

We made it out the door with just enough time for one more picture before we drove the four blocks down the street to Church that houses Reagan's preschool.
We chose this particular preschool because of their solid reputation in our community for being not only a place for children to grow socially, but also to learn more than just the basic fundamentals that are normally taught in preschool. They have an extremely heavy educational curriculum for the three year olds, and they also incorporate Christian values and attitudes. The fact that it is located only a few blocks from our home was just the icing on the cake! On the drive there, Reagan said in a very quiet and shy voice, "Wow, I'm still a little nervous, Mom." So much for Mommy not crying or getting emotional! I gave her a big smile and told her that Auntie Anna and I would be right there with her each step of the way, and that I knew she was going to have so much fun. By the time we got out of the car, her nerves must have settled. You probably can't tell it in this picture, but she is actually RUNNING down the hallway to get to her classroom!
After only just a few minutes, she told me that it was OK for Auntie Anna and I to leave, and she joined the group for circle time.
Auntie Anna and I both had tears in our eyes as we walked back down the hallway to the car! We went to Starbucks to pass the time away before it was time to go back to pick Reagan up. I'm not even sure if Reagan even realized that we had left! Class was only an hour long today, and will be an hour long next week as well. After that, Reagan will go to the normal schedule of 2.5 hours for 2 days each week. And if every day goes as great as today did, then I can guarantee that we are going to have a FANTASTIC school year this year!

To Reagan:
I am so proud of you sweetheart! You were such a big and brave girl today, and my heart was swelling with both love and pride as I watched you enter into this next chapter of your life. You are growing up way too quickly, and I am already so impressed with the beautiful young lady that I know you are going to be. I love you, my little preschooler!