First Day of School 2014

Payton is in PreK-3 this year.  She couldn't wait to go back to school because she gets to be in an upstairs classroom this year "where the big kids go to school".  She also was excited about seeing her friends again.  I dropped her off first and before I could leave she was already too busy playing to bother saying "goodbye" to me.  

Ellie is starting school for the first time in the "Toddler Room".  We have been talking to Ellie a lot about school but she doesn't respond in a way that makes us believe she has any idea what we are talking about when it comes to this topic.  She immediately started playing when I brought her into her classroom and then I told her goodbye and that I would be back to get her soon.  She watched me walk out of the room and then went back to playing.  From there I went to complete the required paperwork.  By the time I got back to the one-way glass window to her classroom where I could watch her without her seeing me, she was sitting in a chair at the table.  Her teacher wanted her to come wash her hands so that she could have a snack but she kept saying "No" and when the teacher would try to help her out of her chair she would push the teacher away.  Eventually she agreed to wash her hands and was given the watermelon I sent for her.  She tried a piece, said "No" and handed it back.  They asked her if she wanted cheese which she said "Uh huh" to and she did eat some of the cheese.  I was laughing watching this because it's so much like Ellie to make it clear what she wants and doesn't want.  I was shocked that she wasn't upset and since she seemed fine I decided to leave.

When I picked Payton up she was excited to tell me about her day.  I was also very happy when the assistant teacher in her room told me "Payton was a good friend today".  Which was awesome because we've been talking to Payton lately about how a good friend acts and what a good friend should do.  I asked Payton what she learned today and she told me she learned about "Angry Birds".  I said, "Angry birds?" to which she explained, "Yes, like the game I play on Papa's iPad".  I said, "What did you learn about angry birds?" and she told me she made an angry bird using paint and her hand print.  She was very excited about it. lol

When I picked Ellie up, the assistant director was playing with her and said she'd had some crying but overall had done well.  They said they went outside and she was fine and then suddenly she started crying and eventually screaming.  That she was able to be consoled but that she wouldn't let her teacher put her down.  After that she had some crying off and on, especially when she needed her diaper changed.  And that she's a "Girl who knows what she wants and doesn't want" and was very often "Done, done, done!"  Which isn't news to me although I thought she might be a little less opinionated at school but I guess not.  Ellie didn't act excited to see me when I showed up to get her and when I asked her, "Are you happy to see me?" she said, "No".  Such a turkey!  Overall she did well and I think once she gets comfortable at school she is going to enjoy it.  I really appreciate the amount of concern the staff has shown for Ellie's health and at the same time I hope they don't feel overly concerned about her.  I'm so thankful that I can drop my girls off at school and feel confident that they are being well taken care of!

Ellie's report from the day.