Today is the last day of preschool for our middle one, aka the Preschooler. She started in a toddler class there when she was twenty-two months old.
This was actually her real smile back then. And, this picture was taken just before she learned that I would not be staying with her in the class. A lot of drama ensued the first few weeks during drop-off, but she quickly adjusted to her schedule and decided she rather enjoyed being there.
I liked her official school picture that year. She was {and still is} as much a character as her expression implied.
She grew up {and her hair grew out} so much her first year there. By the time August of 2011 rolled around, she was ready to be the youngest member of her 3-year old class.
She had a hard time adjusting to a new schedule at first, and we weren’t certain she could handle the structure of the “big girl” class with so many changes coming at her. We simultaneously welcomed a new baby into the family and moved across town. But she hung in there, thanks to the support of a sensitive director, two excellent classroom teachers and a beloved “Lunch Friends” teacher who helped her adjust to the changes and made certain preschool was a special, fun place to be.
By 2012, she was ready to roll in the 4-year old class. She knew the routine and, even though there were more changes and new faces, she was starting to handle change with less anxiety.
By this past August, she couldn’t wait for preschool to start back up. She knew what to expect and was excited to be one of the older kids on “campus.”
From “Kim Gym” time to nature walks and tea parties, she has a storehouse of fun memories. Of course, she still craves structure and consistency, asks tons of questions about most everything, and may never be a huge fan of change, but she has come so very far these past four years. She has been well prepped for kindergarten, but more importantly, she has been well loved.
We commute a considerable distance to the preschool the girls attend. Most people probably think we’re crazy to do so when there are great programs nearby. But, this particular school has been a huge source of stability and encouragement, most especially for our Preschooler. The kindness and giftedness of teachers who love young children is a blessing we don’t take for granted. So, we graduate another one from this sweet place with a tinge of sadness, much gratitude and eager anticipation for the school years that lie ahead.
Kindergarten, brace yourself for some hard questions and some serious silliness.
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