Preschool - DAY ONE

This morning, Jack started preschool. He woke up on his own at 7:15 (which is early for him) and was ready for breakfast.  It wasn't long before he was saying he didn't want to go to school and wanted to say home with me all day.  I gave it my best effort to convince him it would be fine but he wasn't having any of it.  I gave him some breakfast, found a video of some kids going to school on their first day and thought maybe that would help.  Not so much.  

After he laid on the couch for a few minutes and drank some milk, he had a complete change of heart. He started telling me how he was excited to go to school and was ready to get in the car!!  I could not believe it!  He carried his own backpack to the car and climbed in happily.  His preschool isn't far so we chatted on the way there (and I kept thinking he would have a meltdown so I just kept talking).  As I was getting everything out of the car he told me he wanted to wear his backpack like a big boy. He reached for my hand as we walked across the parking lot and gave me the cutest little smile.  

As we got close to his classroom he remembered being there and walked right in. The teacher introduced herself and asked Jack's name.  I completely expected him to look at me and ask me to hold him -- but he didn't.   He told her his name and then asked where he should put his backpack.  He found his own locker and when he had a difficult time getting his backpack to go in, he said, "I'll just cram it in there."  HAHA...  His teacher immediately said, "Oh wow... he's very verbal."  We talked a few minutes more while Jack found the toys and immediately started playing.  A smooth transition?  I'd say yes!! 

Oh... and one more thing.  His teacher ended up being a girl who I had met at a park while I was still pregnant with the twins.  And today was her first day... so she wasn't there when we visited the school before Christmas.  I remember her so well because she had a little boy who was about 3.5 and had twins about 1.5.   I've found that there aren't many people out there with this same order of kids.  It's a HUGE difference just having twins... or even having twins when you have older kids who can help....  but having a mere toddler and then adding twins is something that is unique and extremely challenging.  I asked her about a thousand questions that day at the park and admired her for being out of the house.  Little did I know then that our paths would cross again a year later.   And I love that she knows where our family (and Jack especially) is coming from.  I hope she'll keep a close eye on him.  

Playing happily when I dropped him off.  

I've often thought about Jack and wondered how he compares to other 3 year olds.  I learned while being a teacher that there is a broad range of "normal" with kids.  The thing is... when you only have one child, you don't know where they are in that range.  And I'm curious.  I don't think he's a genius (thank goodness.... cause they're usually weird...) and I don't think he's struggling either.  I just would like to see him around some other kids his age.  

Still playing as I left.  

I picked him up from school a little early (since the twins usually nap at 2:00 and his school isn't out until 2:15) and when I got there he was playing a puzzle.  Ms. Amber said he got upset when they went to music (the transition, I guess) but was happy, engaged in the centers and playful the rest of the day!!   I couldn't ask for a better first day!  Now if we can just continue this pattern :)