Sophie: Pre-school Update
Don't worry, I've stopped crying.
Sophie's first day went great. We showed up about 10 minutes early and went to her room to meet her teachers. She has her very own cubby with her name on it TWICE (isn't that amazing? Sophie sure thinks so.) I chatted with the teachers a bit and then they were both just standing there looking at me. "Oh, I am staying for a while," I said. "OK!" (Pre-school teachers are so enthusiastic about everything!!!)
"Who wants to use scissors?" cries Miss Betsy. Well, the deal was done. Sophie isn't allowed to use scissors at our house. She knew I was still there but wouldn't look at me for fear I would ruin this perfect day for her and tell her she can't use scissors. Out came the magazines and glue and she was off. I honestly can say, she did a great job cutting that magazine to pieces.
I hung around for another 30 minutes. Sophie never once looked to me for reassurance or to see if something was alright with me. She showed me the pictures after she had cut them out but that was it. Some girl was throwing a fit because she wanted the pink scissors Sophie had. Before I even had a chance to intervene, Sophie gave them to her. Then the same girl wanted fruit pictures too (Sophie scored the Harry and David catalog) so Sophie cut out several pictures for her new friend. (The new friend screamed at the top of her lungs that she didn't want THAT fruit). Anyhow, after realizing that Sophie was thriving and self managing, I decided it was time to leave. I kneeled down and told Sophie that I was leaving but that I would pick her up after lunch. She turned and gave me a kiss and said goodbye. No tears, no resistance. I let the teachers know I was leaving, then started bawling the second I walked out the door.
From the parking lot you can see into Sophie's class, so as I was pulling out, I stopped to watch her play with her friends and show her teachers the card she had made. I was so sad leaving but she was having a great time.
I came home and hung out with an uncharacteristically quiet Josie. Without her sister there, she didn't have to compete with anyone. She asked about her sister once then never asked again. For me the time was spent keeping from looking at the clock every 5 minutes. It was probably the least productive morning I've had in a long time. I paced and waited. Finally it was time to get her and the whole fam took the trek across town.
We walked in the room and she was on one of her teachers' lap reading a book. When the teacher said "Sophie, your mom and dad are here," she jerked her head up and excitement filled her face. It was such a guilty pleasure. I feel like someone who gets a puppy because it will be cute and love you no matter what. Well, she was happy to see us. I was happy to see her. She loved school and had art to bring home. I wanted to carry her out of there like a little baby. She insisted on walking. Independence is a slippery slope.
In short, everyone survived and we can't wait for next week.
Sophie's first day went great. We showed up about 10 minutes early and went to her room to meet her teachers. She has her very own cubby with her name on it TWICE (isn't that amazing? Sophie sure thinks so.) I chatted with the teachers a bit and then they were both just standing there looking at me. "Oh, I am staying for a while," I said. "OK!" (Pre-school teachers are so enthusiastic about everything!!!)
"Who wants to use scissors?" cries Miss Betsy. Well, the deal was done. Sophie isn't allowed to use scissors at our house. She knew I was still there but wouldn't look at me for fear I would ruin this perfect day for her and tell her she can't use scissors. Out came the magazines and glue and she was off. I honestly can say, she did a great job cutting that magazine to pieces.
I hung around for another 30 minutes. Sophie never once looked to me for reassurance or to see if something was alright with me. She showed me the pictures after she had cut them out but that was it. Some girl was throwing a fit because she wanted the pink scissors Sophie had. Before I even had a chance to intervene, Sophie gave them to her. Then the same girl wanted fruit pictures too (Sophie scored the Harry and David catalog) so Sophie cut out several pictures for her new friend. (The new friend screamed at the top of her lungs that she didn't want THAT fruit). Anyhow, after realizing that Sophie was thriving and self managing, I decided it was time to leave. I kneeled down and told Sophie that I was leaving but that I would pick her up after lunch. She turned and gave me a kiss and said goodbye. No tears, no resistance. I let the teachers know I was leaving, then started bawling the second I walked out the door.
From the parking lot you can see into Sophie's class, so as I was pulling out, I stopped to watch her play with her friends and show her teachers the card she had made. I was so sad leaving but she was having a great time.
I came home and hung out with an uncharacteristically quiet Josie. Without her sister there, she didn't have to compete with anyone. She asked about her sister once then never asked again. For me the time was spent keeping from looking at the clock every 5 minutes. It was probably the least productive morning I've had in a long time. I paced and waited. Finally it was time to get her and the whole fam took the trek across town.
We walked in the room and she was on one of her teachers' lap reading a book. When the teacher said "Sophie, your mom and dad are here," she jerked her head up and excitement filled her face. It was such a guilty pleasure. I feel like someone who gets a puppy because it will be cute and love you no matter what. Well, she was happy to see us. I was happy to see her. She loved school and had art to bring home. I wanted to carry her out of there like a little baby. She insisted on walking. Independence is a slippery slope.
In short, everyone survived and we can't wait for next week.
way to go!! what a big girl!!! oh, and tell sophie we're so proud of her, too, brandie!! heehee. glad to hear it went so well. love, dawn
Just think how I feel taking my kids to someone else everyday. I guess it has become second nature but when they are having a rough morning it is tough!! We just changed daycares and Nicholas started preschool so I can emphathize with leaving your baby with someone else, I wanted to stand outside all morning and watch them to make sure they weren't lying when I called to check on them. I am sure Sophie will excel - she is a very bright little girl!!
oh man, brandie, your entry almost made me cry. of course, it's 1:00 a.m., i just finished an intense book (the kite runner), and my emotional defenses are down, but still... anyway, i love that in just a few minutes of observing her in a new environment you could see that she is independent and considerate and friendly and kind. that says a lot about her parents.
That was the most beautiful post ever. I am sitting here tearing up. What a wonderful set of parents those girls have! We cried on Lia's first day, too, but man it sounds like Sophie is so on top of her game - what a lucky girl! Congratulations on officially having a 'big girl' in the house! :) (This is Tim Longo's wife Jen, by the way! :) ) What a doll she is to give the scissors up and cut out fruit pictures for the other kid (who frankly sounds like she could take a page from Sophie's book, if ya get my drift ;) ) yeah for preschool!