Over the course of last year I asked around about and visited several preschools, one seemed to just feel right. The school we chose is called Curious By Nature. They have a great philosophy and program and spend an hour outside each day! As well as an indoor classroom, they have an outdoor one complete with a "mud kitchen" trees to climb, walking adventures and more. I think Leo is going to have a blast!
I started telling him about the school, we went to the open house where he played and had a popsicle.. what's not to love? This weekend I told him about how his first day would go, he plugged his ears and closed his eyes. All day yesterday he was telling me, I don't want to go to school then he told me he was scared. I told him we chose this school because it's a safe place with kind and caring people and I added, I bet you're not the only one who is feeling scared before their first day of preschool.
By last night he wanted to pick out his outfit for the next day, just like Georgia does. We packed his backpack and had a bedtime chat about how great school would be. In the morning, he got out of bed and came downstairs on his own (a first) and seemed ready to take on the day. He was happy and willingly got in the car to go to school.
We got there, used the bathroom, washed his hands and hung up his coat, then walked over to his teacher. I knelt down to say goodbye and his tears had already started. Poor Leo was clinging to me saying he didn't want me to go and that he didn't want to stay at school. As I'd arranged with his teacher, she took him, held him and they read a book together until he calmed down.
Walking out, I teared up, I knew Leo would be just fine but I knew he was scared, no one likes that feeling.
Brian and I stayed in the car and tried to get a glimpse of his classroom without being seen. Finally, we saw him walking around the classroom, no tears.
Three hours later I picked him up, I walked into the classroom where he was all smiles, he told me he had fun! His teacher said he did great and calmed down quickly.
I am confident that Leo will like his school and have a lot of fun there. I'm reminded that time is moving quickly and before I know it he'll be off on the bus with Georgia. Leo has become my little sidekick, he loves to run errands, help in the kitchen, he'll even clean toilets, as long as we're together. He is me, I still hold the record for crying the longest at the preschool I attended, my teacher and a dear friend of my moms reminded me of that today.
Lalalalala... I can't hear you!
Little love, trying to be so brave.
After school success, he did it!
