first day of preschool....

This boy was beyond excited to start preschool!!  Of course I had to capture the typical first day school pictures on the front step...and looking through them I just can't believe how big this cutie is getting!  I wasn't really thinking that we would be doing preschool this year, but I should start the story at the beginning....

Back at the beginning of January I had started to think about preschool and what I would do with Ryker in the coming school year.  After our nightmare of a preschool experience though I was really questioning what I was going to do...if anything.  I had heard great things about the preschool I was trying to get Ryker into, but as the months passed I hadn't heard if he was in or not.

The teacher is nearly impossible to get a hold of.  Seriously...you can call and call...leave message after message and nothing.  In June there was a "meet your class" week and I hadn't gotten a phone call so I assumed that Ryker wasn't in.  Not a big deal.  But then I'd talk to my friend who's kids go to the preschool and she'd tell me that the teacher told her Ryker was in.  I was getting really confused.

It really wasn't a big deal if he wasn't in the class I just wanted to know.  I continued to call all summer and finally got through to the teacher about two weeks ago.  She told me she didn't have her class lists in front of her so she'd call me later (ya, right!) but from speaking with her I figured out that she has a wait list and if any child doesn't come to class or drops out then she fills the empty spot.  This meant that Ryker really wasn't "in" the class at all, but was really just on this "wait list".

It was going to be okay though cause I registered Ryker in a hip hop class and then he'd have his music class as well.  We'd just stay busy doing all kinds of other activities.

Not long after I was looking through the paper and came across an add for a preschool that was new.  There wasn't a lot of information in this add, but I noticed that it said there was a 1 to 4 ratio for teachers to students and I immediately thought that would be something good for Ryker.  

I eventually called and talked to the head teacher and the program sounded amazing!  I was excited.

There are 3 certified teachers, a speech pathologist and an occupational therapist that all work with the children.  They have all kinds of little pets that the kids get to take care of and play with.  They make their own snacks at school and learn about nutrition.  The curriculum is built around the needs of each individual child....  It's amazing.  Ms. Cheryl came to our house the next day to meet Ryker and took video clips and pictures of him.  We went through information that I had filled out about Ryker and just talked for a long time and then she takes all her information back to all the teachers and together they create each child's curriculum for the year along with goals....

It was seriously an answer to my prayers.  It's exactly what Ryker needs.  Their goal is to help prepare children for kindergarden...and Ryker needs that.  He's such a sweet boy, but he's busy.  These teachers are trained and ready to help him...and us learn all we can.

Maybe I was just as excited about school as him!!  haha!!  Actually as excited as I was, I was super nervous to send him off.  This meant a new schedule for us and time away from each other.  I wasn't sure if I was ready for all of that, but that doesn't matter.  Ryker's the most important in this situation and he was ready.  He needs this.  

(I just had to laugh at his hair in this picture.  Haircuts did not happen before school started :))

Ryker love love loves his new school shoes and wouldn't even take them off when we brought them home!  He was really excited to carry them in his backpack...yes...I made him take them off after pictures cause they are his indoor shoes until we get another pair for that purpose!

And the back pack I ordered has not arrived yet, so we are making do with his little spiderman backpack!

Notice the little face watching us through the window??!  He was not impressed that he was inside and we were outside taking pictures!  haha!!

Ryker was so happy when I dropped him off at school.  They have a beautiful classroom...it's so nice and big and open.  He went right in and hardly even noticed when I left.  There were no good bye kisses...he was too interested in the fish!  I was sad to leave him, but seeing how happy he was confirmed that this was the right decision.

And when I picked him up he did not want to leave...and of course it wasn't perfect and smooth, but these teachers are fabulous and already have a love for my sweet little boy.  I stayed and they talked to me a bit about ways they worked with him today.  He got to be a special helper and feed the worms in the compost which he thought was great!  They're just doing what they can to help him with the transition of everything.  I think we both left feeling so much better and excited for the next class.  

This little guy is growing up so fast.  Oh how I love him and want the very best for him!  I feel so lucky and blessed to have him in my life and will miss him during our time apart.  He is so kind and thoughtful and has become the little peace maker in our home.  He always wants Maguire to be happy and will do anything to keep him from crying.  He loves to make funny faces (as you can see) and I'm sure he will be the class clown!  He loves making people laugh!!  He's so smart too and I'm really looking forward to seeing his learning grow.  

I love you Ryker!!!  xoxox