Her First Day in VPK!

Well, for those of you who don't know, I started homeschooling my baby girl last year. I worked on the Pre-k curriculum and she did very well! (Thanks Emmi for all your help and guidance). This year we're working on Kindergarten curriculum and that's going very well also. A couple of mom's however suggested I take advantage of the 3 hours the government provides with the VPK program. She was born after September so I couldn't put her in last year. I decided to do it because honestly, Miss Alyssa has many cousins and friends...but not her age. So finally, she started on Monday (10/19/08). It's more for her social life than anything...hee hee.

The school is less than a mile from my house so I walk while I push them on the sport stroller that we have (it's really cool, you can connect it to the bike as well). So, on my way I ran into one of my "mom" neighbors and after telling her where we were going she asked me "how are you holding up"? I thought to my self "this is no big deal" and I responded "oh, I'm fine and she's super excited". So we went along our merry little way. As I walked, I started thinking about the days my mom use to walk my brother and I to school. That school was quite a walk away, but I remember liking it. It was my mom, my bro, myself, and of course...a thick long branch in case a dog tried to attack. Awww, those were the days! So yes, the kids and I got to the school.

(Check out Mr. Caleb opening the door for his sis)

I walked her in and the Asst. Director takes her to the morning circle and introduces her to the class. It was really cool. Caleb in the mean while is playing with the Lego table not to far away. She joins the circle and immediately the boy next to her taps her shoulder and says "Hi, are you my friend"?

(Check out Mr. S tapping Alyssa, he's super cute and very polite).

It was just too cute. Well, although they encouraged me to stay for as long as I wanted, I decided to give Alyssa her space so she can do her thang. I reached for Caleb and told him we had to go. I guess that's when he realized Alyssa wasn't coming with us (his partner in crime). He wanted to cry so bad but he held it back. He tightened his mouth but his eyes got watery. I quickly said, "Hey, lets go to the park"! He immediately changed his face with a smile and said "okay"!

So, off we went to the park but...guess what happened to me as I walked away towards the park. I STARTED TO CRY! It just hit me, my baby girl is growing up! I think the beautiful memories I have of my mother and all the sacrifices she made and still makes for us had a lot to do with with emotional outburst. Whatever, I'm a girl! I was done by the time we got to the park and I had a great time with my little man, as I pushed him on the swing for A HALF HOUR STRAIGHT! Yes, half an hour, but...those are the sacrifices we make to make our children happy, didn't matter that my arms wanted to fall off.

Well, I was anxiously waiting for the 3 hours to go by so I can pick up my baby girl and she could tell me all her fun stories and the names of all her new friends. Finally, time was up and we picked her up. She was very happy to see us which was a very good feeling for us all. As we're strolling back to our humble abode I begin asking her questions.

Me: So baby how was it?
Her: Good.
Me: Do you like your teacher?
Her: Yup.
Me: Did you make new friends?
Her: Yup.
Me: What are their names?
Her: I forgot.
Me: Mami, tell me about your day.
Her: I wish I were in kindergarten.
Me: Oh yeah? Why mama?
Her: Cause their playground is a lot better.

And here I was thinking she would feel unchallenged because most the kids would probably be younger than her! It was like pulling teeth getting her to talk. I found it rather amusing. At any rate, she totally loves it and I must say she barely had to adjust. She just dove right in. She even went on her first field trip yesterday and loved that too.

My little superstar!

This was a long post, I know. Thanks for taking the time to read about our lives!

Stay tuned, will be posting about the Christmas Card Mini Session special next!