Ellie has officially started preschool. It's been a bit tough on my heart letting go and sharing her with the world. I am so grateful that we were able to keep her in our home the first two years but she has been ready for school for a while and it seems we chose a wonderful school and she has a wonderful teacher to mark the beginning of her school days.
We had orientation last Thursday night--we met her teachers Mrs. McCauley (she calls her "Cauley") and Mrs. Lipscome (she calls her nothing right now--tough names for a 2 year old!) They are as good as gold and patient with my never ending questions.
She made herself right at home in her new class on orientation night--loved playing with the babies, trains and the kitchen. Her little classroom is the perfect size and has many of her favorite centers that she loves at church nursery.
Such a big girl. Where is my little 4 lb newborn?
And here is the little monkey bright and early Tuesday morning. She typically sleeps until 8 or later and so these 6:45 wake up calls are not fun for any of us.
Josh and I both took her on the first day--it broke my heart to see her scared and confused as to what was going on. We left her crying but Mrs McCauley said she quickly recovered and didn't cry the rest of the day. She does have a little screamer in her class that cries persistently throughout the day and E will have to get used to it--she is very concerned/worried/stressed when other children are upset and Mrs. M said she remained somewhat stressed until I picked her up.
I could tell that today (her 2nd day) that she was already much more relaxed and just seemed more like the Ellie we know when we picked her up. She was still concerned with the crying from the other child but it didn't seem to bother her quite as much and her personality was shining a bit more. Mrs. M told me that she can tell Ellie loves school and loves circle time with music, reading books and playing with the babies.
We still have work to do with potty training at school. She hasn't learned that she can potty for many other people other than us and her grandparents. She did get a belly stamp for going at school today for me and so I'm hoping she will have a success with Mrs. M next week.
We really couldn't be more proud of her this week--or more thankful that she in a class where she is well loved and well taken care of.
Her bible verse this week is Matthew 5:16--"let your light shine".
I love that for Ellie--she is a light to our lives like no other. Couldn't think of a more appropriate verse for her first week.
