Preschool Halloween Concert

On Thursday, Lily's preschool hosted a small Halloween concert in the courtyard. It was a cold and windy morning, but the kids were all troopers with lots of energy and big smiles. They started with a costume parade and then sang four Halloween songs. Lily was so cute, I could tell she was cold. However, she still managed to sing her little heart out and hang on to her witch's hat in the fierce wind. Here are a few pics and some short video clips.

First Day of Preschool 2008-2009

On September 8th our little munchkins started school at the Mother's Day Out Preschool.

Emma started for the first time in the Toddler class and Lily started her second year of preschool in the 3 year old class. I decided to enroll the girls a few days a week to give them a social outlet and a structured learning environment. I also wanted to give myself a little break during Jeff's deployment.

The first day went really well. Emma has some pretty bad stranger anxiety, so I was a little worried. Her teachers said she only cried when they changed her diapers. Day two was a little tougher. Emma knew what was coming and had a pretty rough day. I hope it gets easier for her, as it's not much of a break for Mommy when I know my baby is upset. Lily on the other hand, jumped in head first. She loves her teachers, Miss Julie and Miss Vickie. She is learning so much already and has made some friends. She truly loves school.

So...here are some fun pictures of their first day. I hope you all had a successful back to school week!

Lily's Last Day of Preschool

May 23, 2008:

Lily's first day.................................Lily's last day

Lily's first day meeting her teachers

Her last day with Ms. Lorraine and Ms. Pam. She loved school, especially her teachers!

Lily's Spring Concert

Thursday, March 20, 2008
It was our first school concert, one of many more to come. The program was titled, "Singing the Oldies". The concert began at 9:45 with the 3 year old class. After six songs the two year old class came into the room and joined the chorus. They sang Five Little Ducks, Open and Shut Them and the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Lily, much to our surprise, was a little shy. She didn't sing every word, but chimed in now and again. She seemed happy to be with all her friends and enjoyed seeing Mommy, Daddy, Emma and Kimmie in the audience. It was an emotional event, I even teared up. Jeff and I are still amazed by her every day. Great job with your first concert Lily, you're a star!

Pre-school Update

Lily has successfully completed her first two weeks of pre-school. She only cried the first morning for a few minutes and then never looked back. Every day when I drop her off she says, "Bye, bye Mommy" and runs into the classroom to be with her friends and teachers. When I come to pick her up at 1:00 I almost have to drag her out of the classroom. Yesterday she said she wanted to stay because she was having so much fun. Jeff and I are thrilled that she loves school so much.

Her teachers, Ms. Lorraine and Ms. Pam, said that Lily is doing great and fits in perfectly with the class. She follows directions, goes potty and plays well with the other students. It is truly an exciting time for our Lilybug! They attend Spanish, Computer and Music classes and also do crafts and play outside. Next week they have a dental Hygienist coming in to discuss dental care.

The best part...when I was buckling Lily up yesterday after school she looked at me and said:
L: "I missed you today Mom"
ME: "I missed you too Lily"
L: "I missed you ALL day Mommy!"

I absolutely melted!! I am so happy that she is having fun, but it's nice to know she still misses her Mommy.

First Day of Pre-School

Well, I survived my baby's first day of pre-school. It was so hard to leave Lily, but I knew she was going to have a great day! They just seem to grow up so fast!! Okay, enough about my boo hooing....here are the details of our day.

The day started with Auntie Cindy calling to wish Lily a good day at school. Lily excitedly said, I'm going to school today!" She was so happy and proud. We packed her lunch and backpack last night so we just had to get dressed and get out the door. We arrived at Courthouse Academy at 9:25 and I could tell Lily was getting a little nervous. When we arrived at the door, Lily began clinging to me and refusing to let go. Finally her teacher picked her up and brought her in the classroom. Moms are not allowed in, as it makes the transition a little easier. Lily started crying so I knew I had to leave. I tried to keep it together while I walked down the the long hall, I couldn't believe Lily was actually in school. After submitting some paperwork to the Director, both the secretary and Lily's teacher approached me and said that Lily had stopped crying and was playing very well with the other children. The teacher explained they were in computer class...how fun!

I left the school feeling a little sad, but deep inside Jeff and I knew Lily was ready. She is so active and loves learning new things. A social envirnoment like pre-school is just what Lily needed. I spent my three free hours doing some shopping and enjoying a nice lunch with Kim and Emma. It was great to have a distraction. I was so excited to go pick Lily up and see how her first day went.

The teacher's exact words, "Lily had an AWESOME day!" She said that she only cried a few minutes and then enjoyed the rest of the days activities. I felt so relieved that she liked school and had fun. The teacher said she played well with the other students, ate her lunch, went pee on the potty and even followed directions during a fire drill. I was so proud!! Lily was excited to show me her snow globe craft and tell me about playing trains and dinosaurs with her teachers. When I asked her if she had fun and wanted to go to school again she said, "Actually mom, I want to go to school again. I love school!" Well said Lily, a new chapter has begun!! I am so excited for our little girl!!

Anxious about going inside the schoolReally nervous nowLooking it at her new class and all the students

Heading into the class with one of her teachers, Ms. Lorianne

A New Adventure

After we were settled here in Virginia Beach I tried calling a few Pre-school programs to get Lily enrolled in a two year old pre-school program. Little did I know, that you have to basically register your child at birth to get a spot in an accredited pre-school. Lily has been on the wait list since October for two schools, Courthouse Academy and Mother's Day Out. Both Schools have similar circulums and staff only accreddited teachers. Jeff and I are excited for Lily to start school and get some social interation, but we did not want a Day Care setting. Both schools offer a wonderful academic environment with the opportunity for Lily to also get social interaction with her peers and have a lot of fun.

Well...on Tuesday Courthouse Academy called and offered Lily a Tuesday and Thursday morning slot at their school. We drove over to the school (less than 5 minutes from our house) and toured the school. I really loved the school and the 2 year old teachers really impressed me. Lily will be learning numbers, the alphabet, colors, days of the week, weather, the pledge of allegiance and attend Spanish, computer and music class. They also do daily crafts, play outside on a separate 2 year old playground and pack a lunch. She will be attending school 2 days a week from 9:30 to 1:00. The teachers even work on potty training.

So, first thing Tuesday morning our oldest daughter will be starting pre-school. Although she was very shy during the tour of the school, Jeff and I feel that Lily is ready for this new adventure. She often tells us she wants to go to school and loves learning. I'm sure I'm going to have a much harder time adjusting to this new routine than Lily. Can't believe our little girl is going to school!!

Click here to check out Lily's new school: Courthouse Academy