Each time we mentioned to Shira that she would be going to her first day of preschool soon, she responded with an excited, "Me wear purple packback" Clearly. Everyone who goes to preschool must wear a backpack.
We gave riding to preschool with both kids a test run today. I'm going to try and ride with the kids every Monday, at least until it gets wet and yucky. So convenient that Samuel's preschool is 40 feet away from Shira's.
Shira was a little nervous when we walked in the door*, but cautiously allowed Teacher Mindy to put her name tag on. I don't know why I thought Shira would just walk into preschool like she owned the place. She warmed up quickly, but remained close to me most of the day.
It was a unique experience to be focused solely on Shira. I didn't really think it would be that different, but it was special to experience this preschool with just her. Quite different from the last time I attended Parent Observation, juggling an infant and a first born 2 year old.
It is funny to think that 2 years ago Shira attended this same preschool as a 3 through 11 month old, but was usually sitting in the Maclaren, or perched in the carrier, watching Samuel and the other 2 year olds doing all of the activities.
She spent her first day checking everything out. Painting interested her, but typically, the hand washing station for after painting was a far bigger draw.
She found the bounce pads enchanting
Unfortunately, my photos stop there, as a little boy walked by me and kicked my camera, and it is once again broken. I'm not bitter. (Speaking of which, I need a small, reasonably priced, point and shoot that takes decent photos, if you have any recommendations.)
Shira also enjoyed her whirl on the tire swing. With all of our other activities, recently, we have spent precious little time at parks (as evidenced, yesterday when we went to Samuel's preschool's picnic in the park, and when we pulled up, Shira enthusiastically yelled, "Playground!") I've forgotten how tuned in Shira is to every swing in a 2 mile radius, and if they are occupied or vacant.
Shira did not want to leave the playdough table when it was time to clean up and head to circle time. Tactile sensory activities are a big draw for her.
She was in observation mode during circle time, quietly taking it all in, watching everyone, but not yet ready to participate (Silberman or Kafka trait? Both Samuel and Shira have it, though I'm betting Shira will begin to participate soon, I'm not sure that Samuel participated in any of the circle activities, until perhaps April or May.)
Shira enjoyed snack time, eating her own, and checking out what was on the menu for other children. When she saw that someone had not finished their cheerios and pretzels, she pointed them out and happily offered to take care of them. Definitely not a shrinking violet.
Once the water table entered the scene, all else was forgotten. Shira even ignored me at that point, and went to work filling up a watering can, just to empty it all over her shoes. Note to self: bring an extra pair of shoes in addition to change of clothes. I'm lucky it was a hot day, or I'm betting I'd have heard a lot of conversation regarding the cold wet state of Shira's feet on the ride home.
Shira was exhausted by the end of preschool, at which point we headed over to enjoy story time at Samuel's preschool before hopping back on the bike home. Pretty sure Shira thinks Teacher Rachel is as much her teacher as Samuel's. And when they sit next to each other at story time, and Samuel puts his arm around Shira, I always hear at least one "ahh" sigh from a mom who hasn't seen it before. Gosh I'm lucky.
*As a side note, Samuel was very disappointed when he learned he could not be the "work parent" at Shira's preschool. That said, he is enjoying his preschool so much, that when I gave him the option of coming to drop Shira off with me (his preschool starts 15 min earlier and we went there first) he declined the offer as he was having far too much fun of his own. He did say he would drop her off "next time."
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