What has gotten into me today

I had Sebastian's IEP today and it went well. They don't think that he qualifies for services anymore. They believe the classroom has really helped Sebastian over come some of his sensory and social issues. We will continue with the private OT and plan on private preschool in the fall. I came home and decided I needed to clean. This is so not like me. I swept and mopped the floors. I had Alexandra help me after she came out from rest time. This is my only thought, I saw that the next few days are going to be really humid and hot. Today it is hot but not real humid. I figure If I do this hard work now, it's done and I won't have to work hard the really humid days. Also, an update on my strawberries. What ever is eating them Is getting as many as I am and that doesn't make me happy. What does make me happy is to enjoy the freshest strawberries out of my own back yard. It's the little things! It really doesn't take much to make me happy! :)

Mystery Reader

If you didn't know, which I didn't, March is reading month. Alexandra's preschool had mystery readers and She wanted Pa Pa (or my dad) to read. He agreed but said we'd have to pick the book for him. Last night Alexandra started to pick books. The first one was about Human Development. I told her no. Then she picked a easter and religious traditions book that had no pictures and lots and lots words. So I directed her to a fire dog book and a bakers counting book. As you can see and hear he did an awesome job and the kids seem to really enjoy it. It was so cool to see him reading to Alexandra's class.

I think it was harder on me

Today was the day I had been dreading for a while. Sebastian started his preschool class today. We all headed to the school. Sebastian went right in and started to play. We had to check in with the lunch lady and once we left he started to cry. We peeked in the window and the Teacher told me that he was upset and she was holding him. She told me to go. I started to cry as we walked out the door. Alexandra asked me what was wrong. I told her that dropping Sebastian was hard for me and it made me sad. I could tell she didn't get it. I cried more on the way home. We got home and got Atticus to bed and Alexandra was getting ready for rest time. I started to cry again. Alexandra said, mom you don't have to be sad, I'm not sad. He'll be back in a couple of hours. Plus, you have that other boy in the other room." I laughed through my tears and I said, "I also have you". We picked him up around 3:30 PM and he was really happy to see us. The Teacher said he did really well and got a star on his hand for helping to pick up toys. She said they played in the gym and he was kicking balls and running around. He told me as we left that he had a good time and wanted to go back. He fell asleep on the way home and he slept in the car for about an hour. He was a little out of sorts tonight, I think it'll be a few days or even into next week to transition out of his nap time.

I of course analyzed why this was so upsetting to me to leave him at preschool today. I cried when I dropped Alexandra off but I also knew she and I were both ready. I hadn't prepared myself for this like I did with her. I think my other concern was that the teachers wouldn't get him, like I get him and maybe they won't but that doesn't mean they can't help him. I also don't want him to be mistreated. It's not that I get that feeling but it would pain me to know we made this decision and it hurt him in some way instead of helping him. I guess I'll leave it at that for now. I'm sure I'll have more thoughts tomorrow.

A field trip to the Library

Today Alexandra's preschool class went to the Parchment Library. They had two stories and then a craft. The craft was so clever. It was an upside down ice cream cone. The kids covered it with frosting and then put m and m's and other candy on it for decoration. This is Alexandra's you see pictured here. A fine christmas tree and she got to eat it when we got home. Even better!

A day at the preschool

Today was my day to work at Alexandra's preschool. It's pretty cool to see her in this environment. I'm pretty surprised at how she interacts with other kids who are just as strong as she it. Today there was an incident with another child hitting her because she was trying to take a toy away. When a child does something like that to her she retreats and pouts in the corner. I'm surprised by that since when she fights with Sebastian she fights to win. I guess there's less to risk with Sebastian since they're siblings. Over all it was a good experience and Alexandra always likes it when I'm there.

Tears of change and growth

I kind of thought this day would come but I guess it impacted me more than I expected. Alexandra told me yesterday that she didn't want to go to School. I told her we would see about it on Tuesday. This morning she told me the same thing. We got clothes on and went to school. We got there and she saw her friends and I thought we were ok. Then we got ready to leave and she started crying and asking to go with Buddy and I. I told her I'd come back but the crying only got louder. The teacher tried to distract her but she ended up carrying Alexandra over to a craft table. As we're leaving I hear her still crying. It was hard to hold back my tears but I did until we got to the car. I cried the whole way home. Not because I didn't want to leave her but because of the look on her face when we left. She was so scared. I think Preschool is a good thing for her and for me. It's a good program and I think the activities are good for her. What I'm thinking this morning is that this is just the first of many tears of change and growth. I'm not looking forward to shedding many many tears in the future over my kids and the changes that will come for all of us. You don't think about those things when you have a baby and with no instruction manual there's no warning of things like this on the horizon!

Just me and the Boys

Today was the first day Alexandra went to Preschool without us staying. She had a few moments over the last day where she cried a little bit thinking about us leaving her. She was really excited this morning. We all went and dropped her off. Sebastian had a really hard time leaving her. He threw himself on the ground, he cried and he tried numerous times to go back to the classroom. Even on the way home, he whined. We got home and I got him out of the van and he asked for Sissy! I told him she was at school and we'd go get her in a little while. He started to get tears in his eyes. I was so surprised. Once we got in the house he was fine but I'm sure he'll be really happy to see her when we go and pick her up.

It was Pajama day

It was my turn to work at the preschool. My first time and I was in my nightgown. I realized I don't do dress up in a public place very well! Every thing was going good, I was cutting out circles and watching the kids. Then it's table group time and the teacher puts me at the table with peanut butter, bread, teddy graham cookies, honey and two butter knives. Not a good combination! The point of the table was to let the kids make their own sandwich. It was quite a sight to see 3 year olds trying to put peanut butter on bread. I wasn't about to let them do the honey on their own though. I had to draw the line somewhere. Overall the morning went well. Alexandra has made friends with a girl named Charlize. She's just like Alexandra. It's pretty funny. She's outgoing, very independent and very verbal. We'll see how things develop.

I'm a preschool mommy

A new title has been added to my name! Alexandra, Sebastian, Atticu and I all headed off to Parchment United Methodist co-op preschool this morning. We were a little late and really weren't sure where the building was. They usually meet in their church, but it was set on fire last summer by an arsonist. They are now meeting in an out building at the catholic church in Parchment called St. Ambrose. So we get out of the van and head into a building. We couldn't hear anyone so we wandered around and found a room with a light on. It was who I think was the priest in what looked like his pajamas! I asked him where the preschool was and of course he said it was in the other building. As I talking to him, Sebastian hears a TV and wanders into another room. There's an elderly gentleman sleeping in a chair with the TV blarring. I grab Sebastian and we head back out the door. It must have been where the Priest lives. We head across the parking lot and into the other building where the preschool meets. There was two mom's and the teacher Mrs. Keiser. There's about 6 other kids in the class. She did really well. She had a good time. I think this is going to be great for her and for the rest of us!