Preschool Ready

So, Jack turns 3 in just a few short weeks and we feel like it's probably time for him to start preschool.  He's getting bored at home and I know he could benefit from being around other kids.  I looked into several schools last week and think we've decided on one for the Spring.  On one hand, I'm excited for him to start and on the other hand, it's one of those milestones that clearly defines him growing up.  We've talked lots about how you should act at "school" and what will happen once he is there.  He has assured me he's "excited" and that he's ready.  I guess we'll see in January.  

I must admit though, it's really hard for me to even partially let go of the control over what he learns / hears / sees, etc.  That is one thing that I have loved about having him home with me.  I know that anything that comes out of his mouth (good or bad) is because I have said it or let him hear it somewhere.  Same for behavior... he has never been a big user of the word "no" or "mine" and has never bitten anyone.  I'd like to think that's because he's been here with me... but who knows.  I also feel pretty strongly that my job as a stay-at-home-mom is to expose him to as many environments that are age-appropriate as possible.  I was the mom walking through the produce section of the grocery store naming all the foods and giving him an in-depth description on each one.  Crazy, I know.  But I feel like it's my job.  And then once the twins came along, SO MUCH of that has stopped.  So I feel guilty that we've been home so much... and I feel like that is holding him back.  So I really hope he's ready for what's to come.  

 Now... let me preface the next part by saying... I think it's pretty obnoxious when parents dote on their kids constantly or give them undeserved praise.  I try to refrain from doing this (except maybe to my own family) but I will venture out this once and brag on my sweet Jack.  Afterall, he is the smartest two year old I know :)

* He has the CrAzIeSt memory ever!  I could go on and on, but one of the most recent examples came just the other day.  I had just used the word "magic" to describe something when Jack repeated me and said "Magic.  Like the guy that was at that party."  Huh?!?  Well, let me just tell you that for the past 9-10 months, we have been VERY few places, so that limited my reference quite a bit to what he could have been talking about.  I asked him to explain what he was talking about and he proceeded to tell me about a guy that was at a Christmas party who did magic, made balloon animals and played music.  Y'all... I'm not kidding!!  We were at that party (a multiple mom's party) a YEAR ago (nearly) and I promise I have not talked about it or shown him pictures since!  How does he possibly remember that guy?

* A few things he knows quite a bit about:  mammals, reptiles, herbivores, carnivores, illustrators and authors, the solar system, astronauts,  the abc's, sawmills, the garbage cycle, sports, states, tools, figurative language, vehicles, ............  I mean, honestly.  We have lengthy conversations about all of the above topics.  Is that normal??  Maybe it is.  I just don't have another 2 year old to compare him to.  

* He regularly says "Momma, teach me about dinosaurs." (or my teeth, or airplanes, or something similar)

* He makes ridiculously good analogies about things we're discussing.  For example:  This morning I couldn't get our tv to turn on for some reason.  The sound was there but there wasn't a picture.  When I said, "We can hear it but I don't see anything"... Jack immediately said "Just like thunder, Momma!!"  There was another time we were talking about animals with tails.  I mentioned a dog, a horse, a cat and then asked him to think of one.  He said "a seahorse."  I expected him to say something similar to what I had mentioned.... not completely go to a different species!  He makes analogies like that all. the. time!

So now you see why I think it's time for him to go to preschool?  I'm running out of things to teach him.   I just hope he's ready (and that I am too!)

** I didn't include this in my original post, but I definitely should have.  When I say Jack is starting preschool, please know I mean he'll be going two days a week from 8:45 - 2:15.  I think it's best if we start slow in the beginning.  The school we've chosen has Spanish, chapel, computers, art and music as part of the curriculum.  In addition to that, we have the option of adding Bricks for Kids (a beginner's architectural/ building program), violin, piano, and gymnastics.   We're planning to see how things go at first and then add more as Jack's comfortable.  Wish us luck :)