First Day of School 2014

Yesterday was David and Rachael's first day of school.

David is now in Pre-K! How is that even possible?! That means he goes FIVE days a week!

Rachael is starting her second year at the preschool and, even though she's technically too young, is in the Young 3's class. She is really supposed to repeat the class she was in last year, but her teachers from last year and the Director of the school didn't think she would benefit in any way from that and she would be much happier and challenged in the next level class. So, she's once again the youngest in her class. She goes Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 

 They were so excited that they actually broke out in a song about going to school [they like musicals]. 

I walked with them to their classrooms. First, we stopped at David's room. Since we had a visitation day on the Friday before, David knew exactly what to expect.

He had to find his name on his backpack hook and hang it up. 

Put his personalized pop sickle stick on his chart to show that he is in class. 

Say Good-Morning to the class' pet squirrel, Corky. 

He then found a puzzle he wanted to put together. 

While all this was going on, Rachael was playing with some girls in the class' kitchen area. At the end of last year, David got very clingy and didn't want to go to school. So, I was really worried about him liking his class this year. I spent a lot of time making sure he was going to be okay with me leaving. When it was his turn to use the class computer, I told him I was going to take Rachael to her class and he was JUST FINE with that. So, to Rachael's class we went. Since last year's first day went so smoothly for her, I didn't expect any different. 

She hung up her backpack...

Turned around and froze. She didn't want me to leave and wouldn't let go of my hand. [therefor I have no other pictures] We found some books and I read a few with her [and some other kids in the class]. She liked the books but was still on edge about me leaving. I knew the longer I stayed the worse her fears would get. Her lead teacher noticed her anxiety and stepped in so I could make a get away. Rachael cried as I left, but I knew it wouldn't last long. I had substituted in this very class last year, so I knew she was going to LOVE it. And I was right. At the end of the day, Rachael's teacher reported that she stopped crying seconds after I left and had a great day! David, too, had a wonderful day!!

I pray this year of school is a blessed one for David and Rachael. I pray for their teachers, that they might be filled with God's love, patience, wisdom, and joy as they teach each day. I pray that David and Rachael's desire to learn will be encouraged and that their thirst for knowledge will remain strong. I pray they are nurtured spiritually as they learn more about God and His love for them. I pray they keep their relationships with their current friends strong while also having the confidence to introduce themselves to the new ones. Most of all, I pray that God will watch over David and Rachael, keep them safe and protected from harm while they are out of my sight.