Oh Fitzgerald, how are you old enough to go to preschool? Cue tears
So Fitz started school today at our beloved and favorite little neighborhood preschool. It doesn’t seem like he’s old enough, but I’m reminding myself that he’ll be 2 in a few weeks, and the girls both started going right when they turned 2. This preschool is for ages 2 to 4, so with Fitz’s birthday a few weeks into the school year, he is the youngest in his class. But, he will actually end up doing 4 years of preschool (2 years at this school and 2 years at our other “bigger” preschool) before heading off to Kindergarten.
The girls helped me get him ready with his letterboard sign by the front door this morning as we all slept in and were rushing a bit. And then they gave him big hugs and kisses before we buckled up in the car to head to school. It was really the sweetest to see them supporting and loving him so much!
Fitz and I were able to visit the school last week for an Open House, so it was at least a little familiar. While the weather is still dry and warm, drop-off happens outside in the school yard, so there’s all sorts of fun things, like a playhouse, slide, and sandbox, to get Fitz excited for his school day. This morning, we parked and walked in together, I hung up his backpack and lunchbox, and then he wandered off to play with friends. Even though I was dying for a big hug and kiss good-bye, I knew it was best for me to just leave and not make a big deal about me leaving, so that’s what I did. His teacher let me know that he cried a little later on in the morning when they went inside the school for Circle Time (and I think he finally realized that I wasn’t there). But he was able to calm down quickly, and participated in the daily art project and lunch with new friends!
When I picked him up, he gave me a HUGE hug and then went back to playing in the school yard. Ha! He seemed in really good spirits and then got a big “welcome back” by everyone once we got home.
Happy first day of preschool, Bubs!
M
Side note: As I mentioned in my August Life Lately post, a strike by the Seattle teachers was pretty likely. Long story short, they are still on strike as of now and we’ve missed the first two days of school for Eloise (she should have started on Wednesday). She’s pretty sad. Daphne was supposed to have a meet-and-greet with her Kinder teacher this morning (and then start school next Monday), but that meeting has been postponed. We are talking to the girls about how much their teachers want to be in school too but also how important it is that the teachers and staff get paid fair wages, allocated proper support staff, and get time off. We support our teachers so much and have been helping by sending food to the picket lines at our own elementary school. Fingers crossed the district and teacher’s union will come to an agreement in the next few days so that the girls can start school on Monday!