Aaron's First Day of Preschool

Aaron's first day of preschool was a huge success for him - not that there was really any doubt about that - between the most incredible school, fabulous teachers, already being familiar with the school since Donovan attends it, and just overall being an enthusiastic child who takes all new things in his life in stride!

We arrived earlier than the other students this morning so Aaron could see his cubby, where to hang his winter clothes, and what the morning routine is like. He then settled in nicely playing up in the loft with the light table, Magnatiles and other magnetic toys. Just as I do with Donovan, we gave 5 kisses and 5 hugs and then it was time for me to leave. He looked a bit teary for a moment and his lip began to quiver, but as soon as I said, "I'll see you before lunch. Have a great morning!" Aaron's face lit up with a huge smile, and he said, "You have a great morning too Mommy!" So cute!

Donovan and I enjoyed our morning together. Just simple things - a trip to the bank (where when the teller gave him a Buzz Lightyear sticker, he asked for one for his brother too), post office, and grocery shopping. I thought Donovan would love the time without Aaron, to play with his toys by himself (after all that was his experience for 3 1/2 years and certainly suddenly sharing all your toys with a same-age sibling is not easy!). When we got in the car to go get Aaron, Donovan said, "Mommy, Aaron has been gone for SO LONG. I miss him so much!"
When we got to the preschool, Aaron was one of a handful of dedicated sledders up on the big sledding hill (just as is the case with Donovan when we pick him up every day!). Donovan grabbed a sled and headed up the hill. He quickly caught up to Aaron and threw his arms around him. Later I asked what he had said, and he replied, "I told Aaron I missed him so much and that I love him so much."

I asked Aaron what his favorite part of the school day was, and he said, "sledding on the big hill." He filled me in on the Dragon Dance book his teacher read (which we lent them in preparation for Chinese New Year), pancakes and blueberries and juice for snack, working with pattern blocks and making a flower garden and how he had to help the girl next to him because she didn't know how to do it, and all about the water table. He then told me he was sad he didn't have to write his name (he does know how to write his first and last name) and he didn't get to write/draw in a journal (which Donovan's class does each cay). So, after lunch, Aaron did his journaling, drawing a picture of the big sledding hill and all the colorful sleds, and Mommy waiting at the bottom of the big hill to pick him up.

I should say we never planned to enroll Aaron in preschool. Donovan started in Sept 3 mornings a week, and I am home for the school year to be with Aaron. We had WRONGLY assumed Aaron would have some orphanage related delays, but that has not been the case. We thought he would not academically be ready. We were WRONG. He very quickly (2 weeks I think) learned all his colors and shapes in English, and then within 2 months had learned to recognize his numbers to 20 and all the letters. We continue to work on counting objects with 1:1 correspondence and the sounds letters make. Aaron is quick to memorize stories and recite them and is learning to form his letters (handwriting). A few weeks ago we learned a little girl in Donovan's class was moving, and while that opening was being filled right away (by a little girl in the 2 day program), there was then an opening in the 2 day program and no one on that waiting list. While we weren't planning this, we felt that Aaron was ready and also we felt it was too good to turn down, as it would make it more likley that both boys would be placed in Donovan's 3 day class for the fall, which is what we need with me going back to work...And it did work out, as registration for current students happened last week and both boys are now enrolled for next school year in the 3 day program.

So, we now officially have two boys in preschool!