Meet the Teacher

"The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence." ~Denis Waitley

Tonight Emma and I went to "meet the teacher" at preschool. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Susan and seems wonderful! She was great with the kids tonight and appears to be very organized. I even signed up to make and send red play dough in December! I can also send cupcakes in celebration for Emma's 4th birthday!

The classroom is decorated with numbers, colors, letters and charts of all kinds. There are 3 boys and 9 girls in the class and out of 12 total there just happen to be two Emmas (I'm just hoping the other Emma doesn't have a purple Pottery Barn monogrammed backpack)! Our Emma knew one other little boy (our carpool buddy) prior to our arrival, but as I expected, she made new friends instantly! In fact, she didn't want to leave when it was time to go. I guess that's a good thing!?

I was so proud of myself for holding it together tonight. Mrs. Susan invited parents to stay as long as we wish on Tuesday but suggested that sometimes it works better with a quick hug/goodbye exchange. It makes me teary eyed just typing that, but I want to challenge myself to escape without water works!! Daddy already warned Emma that I may be sad but I want her to be excited about this new chapter :) Today I heard her ask Owen "Bubs, will you miss me when I'm at preschool?"....

I was definitely "that mom"! I had lots of questions since we have not been down this road before! I needed to know when potty breaks were offered, how discipline is handled and whether I just drop the kiddos off or walk them to the classroom. I am so thankful that FUMC takes extra steps in safety measures. We must present our ID when picking kiddos up, doors are all locked from the outside and through traffic is prohibited on the grounds.

Ready or not, next week will be an adjustment period. I am so happy that Emma is getting this experience. She will regularly interact with her peers, learn an abundance of important life skills and begin a school routine....and the BEST part is that it takes place in a Christian environment. They even go to chapel and pray! What a blessing.

My dear friend Kristie lives in NC. I was beyond blessed to meet her 3 years ago this month. We met through Stroller Strides and were also involved in the same Waco playgroup. We exchange e mails often and have agreed to swap prayers during this adjustment time. Her daughter, Samantha, also starts preschool next week! Kristie reminded me of that "Parenting is a journey in which we enjoy our children and love them, but also equip them and prepare them for the world. God designed this process so that we would raise up our children in a Godly way to the best of our abilities."

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~Elizabeth Stone