The first day I took them to preschool it was a disaster. Ocean didn't feel that well and he hates people and it was right after winter break so many people were late and everywhere and he just cried. I try not to be that parent, the one that always gives in, but how could I really leave my boy there terrified and crying? I couldn't. Ever stayed and he went home with me. We picked up Ever, who was so sweet to lean over and tell Ocean, "I learned things that you didn't learn, because I went to school and you didn't."
Preschool has highlighted some new things for me that I didn't know before.
1. Ocean is extremely dependent on his sister being around. If she is sick, he will not go to school alone. She got sick at school so they sent her to the nurse and Ocean was beside himself. The school called me to pick him up too and his teacher spoke to me about it later in the week. I didn't know this because he loves to do things alone with mommy and daddy so I figured he didn't care. School is a different ballgame. I was set on separating them in Kindergarten and now I am not so sure about that. Hubby wanted them separated long ago so this will probably lead to lots of arguments and some type of disaster.
2. Ever tells me what I want to hear and can sometimes be a liar. It's true. I learned at their conferences that she hardly ever talks to anyone and Ocean is the social one. They report the opposite. Special.
3. I had a huge mommy milestone, which was my very first parent teacher conference!!!!!!!! I was nervous, no lie. That sounds silly and the conferences are completely professional and not really what I'm about to say, but for me, it was my very first professional judgement on my kids. It's a weird feeling. What I found out is that my children are very intelligent and sweet and all around awesome. The teacher went ahead and did the 4 year old skills test on them instead of the one they typically use and they both passed it, plus Ever is well above a four year old level. The teacher said you can really tell that I work with them at home. They are polite too. Think of Maria in Sound of Music frolicking about the countryside exuding joy for no real reason, that is what I looked like for several days after the conference. "OMG, I'm a great mom, my kids are amazing, I haven't messed them up yet!" What a relief.
4. The most annoying thing ever is a school schedule. For real. They rarely go more than two weeks without a holiday, a teacher inservice, conference days, a break, etc, etc. I was so seriously irritated about it I actually pulled up the calendar and out of all the days available to go to school between August to May they only go 76% of the time. That's ridiculous. Part of the reason that I stay at home with the kids is because I have always wanted to try it and I love it, the other reason is we flat out can't afford care for three kids on our budget, so I have to. I was going to go back when the twins go to Kindy, but I don't see a point in it now because it will still be daycare heavy for awhile.
My first little babies are big kids in big kid school!
Here are some pics from more days that they missed school. We had a fun run of snow days around here.
