First Year of Preschool!!

It's amazing to think that another school year has come to an end!!! WOW! Time flies!! On Friday, Addie finished her first year of preschool and what an amazing year it has been for her. In August she was unsure, to put it mildly, about starting this new adventure.  In all honesty we all were.  I remember walking into Open House very, very hesitant about starting preschool.  I pretty much had just about every reason/excuse ready to go about why we should NOT do this (some maybe even a little far fetched:) !!  We walked into her classroom and it was absolutely ADORABLE!!

(Note:  I really should update more often.... I'm putting A LOT of faith in my memory:)

 

Addie walked right over and found the babies.  She sat down on the floor and started playing.  Her teacher, Ms. Steen, sat right down and played with her.  I was all ready to be the crazy mom, BUT Addie was really comfortable and it settled my nerves just a bit! 

....and even back then, Addie showed a little bit of her silly personality! :)

I left Open House feeling a little bit more comfortable about the whole situation!!

The next morning in her pretty dress and little backpack....we were (semi)  ready for the First Day of School!!!

We walked into the classroom and Addie once again started playing..  She seemed really content!  TONS of new, fun stuff to play with.... every 3 year old's dream, right?!

We stayed with her for awhile and then Ms. Sylvia started entertaining her, so we hesitantly snuck out!!!  Matt went to work and Drew and I went to breakfast.  I was SHOCKED at how "ok" she was.  Pleased, but shocked.....

Not too long after that my phone rang...I remember hearing Ms. Steen's voice and my heart sinking.  Apparently Addie wasn't too thrilled with the preschool thing after all.  She was MAD....and one thing about Addie is when she's not happy, she's darn near impossible to console.  I didn't know what to do!! It killed me and right away I KNEW we had made the wrong decision.  I tried to act calm, trust the situation, and try to let her ride it out!!  All her teachers thought I was nuts by that point anyway, so what the heck?! :)  I couldn't wait for time to come to pick her up.  I struggled with sending her back, but everyone else (well maybe not her teachers) thought it was something she needed to get through.  So we did....and she cried....day after day.  Matt took her to school everyday  because there was NO WAY I would have been able to do it.  We would have run off to the beach everyday or something!! 

Before too long it got a little easier.  Everyday got better and better.  Then one day Addie actually wanted to go to school.  I was amazed....and happy!   I'm so glad I didn't listen to myself (just this once anyway) because I couldn't have been more wrong about it all.

Addie had a wonderful first year of preschool!  In my greatest and most hopeful dreams, I couldn't have imagined it any better.  She was blessed with the most fabulous teachers a child could ever have.... after the first few weeks we moved forward and never really looked back.  I never hesitated leaving Addie at school as I knew she was in loving and caring hands.   She has learned and progressed so much in such a short time.  I can't believe how fast this year has gone, but I am so thankful that she has another year of preschool to learn and grow and be loved!! 

This year she has gone from a shy toddler....to a bubbly, sweet, loving, and feisty little girl.  She has conquered some pretty big obstacles this year, but it made my year to see her sitting up with all of her friends at school on the last day of the year.  There were times where I wasn't sure we would get there, but she was there....she made it through and it is all OVER!  All major obstacles out of the way and she will continue to move mountains next year....

With Ms. Juli on her first day back to school after 6 weeks off!!!

She was SO happy to see Ms. Juli and Ms. Karla......

She loves Ms. Kristie (except when she sings:)  OR tries to make her speak!!!!

With "Steen"  as Addie calls her (normally followed by a HUGE smile and giggle)  The other day Drew was asking Addie about her school friends and asked her who her BEST friend was and she immediately smiled and said "Steen" :)  They have a pretty special bond I must say!!!!

 

Ms. Sylvia trying to keep Addie calm as her friends were singing their graduation songs.  Addie wasn't too sure about the whole song thing.....

....but she was definitely all about the cookies afterwards!!!! 

Last day of school.... BOY has she grown!  Love her more and more every single day and am so proud of her... she is the strongest little girl I know and she has had to fight for everything she has and everything she is.  I am so grateful that I am able to sit here today and write this post looking forward to what lies ahead.  Watch out world....this girl is pretty amazing!!!!

Congratulations baby girl on finishing your first year of preschool!!!!!