PreSchool!

 Ava started preschool this week. We found a great 3 year old preschool program not too far from us that we are just in love with. It is smallish in size and the lady the coordinates it, who is also Ava's teacher, has a degree in child development and 20+ years experience and passion in working with little ones. On Tuesday last week we had a meet and greet, after the excitement of seeing her very own cubby, she entered her classroom that looks much like a play room and with wide eyed wonder leaned over to me and said in a voice barely above a whisper "isn't it great". The rest of the meet and greet was wonderment mixed with nervousness as other children and their parents began entering the classroom. She stayed close by me and wasn't interested in playing with the other children yet but explored the room and did lots of independent playing. Lately she's been telling me she does not like when people she's "not use to" talk to her. She has this look she gives people to tell them that sentiment in not so many words. I totally get that feeling, a life long introvert myself, I can very much relate. I am trying to help her with the middle path of honoring and respecting her quiet and reflective side while also teaching her the importance of acknowledging others and finding that sometimes making ourselves a little uncomfortable can have great rewards. I wasn't sure how drop off the first day would go but she woke up excited and literally skipped down the hall when it was time to say goodbye. After her first day, I asked her if she made any friends and she said confidently and happily "Na, just Benny." (Benny is her long time imaginary friend).

Her and Ryan did a little photo shoot while I was doing a mad dash to get us all ready to head out to all our various places:

 

Showing off her back pack!

(Which was a garage sale find I made this summer for 25 Cents!)

 

Showing of her new school shoes.

 

Ready to go!