I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. It seems like yesterday that we were bringing our 8-week old daughter to the center for the first time. I may have checked on her multiple times that day back in January of 2010, but I didn't cry at drop-off time. I am able to say that when I dropped her off for the last time this morning I didn't cry either (although it was close when I asked her teachers for a picture of Ellie with them--- Ellie planned it and they all wore the same outfit!). Let's hope Monday's drop-off goes as smoothly!
Last night we went to Back to School night at Maple Grove. I am completely in love with the school. The building and classrooms are cute, the principal seems really awesome and our teacher (because let's be honest, she will probably teach Nick and I a thing or two as she teaches Ellie) is amazing. We are ready. Or as ready as we are going to be.
So here is how Back to School night went.... We walked into the building, greeted by Waukee Cheerleaders passing out information on their cheer clinic. Then we hit the PTO table. Then the WATCH DOGS group. Then the Waukee Dance team (although they looked very similar to the cheerleaders and I told them we already had a flier, only to be told that was the cheerleaders and they were the dance time with another clinic flier). Then the nutrition representative with information on lunches. By this time I had a handful of fliers and hadn't yet figured out where the classroom was! A few more groups (I don't even remember which ones) and we finally made it to the classroom (after asking for directions a few times). Ellie's teacher is ADORABLE! The classroom is ADORABLE! I am so excited (I hope Ellie is as well). We did a little scavenger hunt that helped Ellie find her spot, put her school supplies away, pick-up an item off the 'classroom wish list' and filled out a couple forms. Oh, and we received some more papers to go through (I sort of feel like we took home a small tree after it was all said and done). Anyway, it was really organized, a little overwhelming, a lot of fun, and we are now ready for Monday. (We even ordered our item from the classroom wish list and it should arrive on Saturday so Ellie can take it to school with her on Monday.)
This morning I was going through the papers from the night before and one of the papers was titled "In a Million Words of Less" and was a request from the teacher to write her a letter (in a million words or less) telling her about your child- what I would tell her if "we were to sit down for 20 minutes over coffee". Yup, totally brought tears to my eyes and I realized that Monday might not be as easy as I thought it was going to be. I realize this might be something all kindergarten teachers do, but it is a really great idea and made me feel like Ellie was someone very special in this teacher's eyes. I tried to keep it simple, even though there is so much more to Ellie than just what is listed in this letter. But some of it you just have to experience yourself (which her teacher will very soon). Here is what I wrote (with review and approval from Nick):
Ellie is:
- The oldest child and a big sister to Genevieve (Neve), age 3.
- A ‘leader’ at times and shy/reserved at other times. It takes a little bit for her to get comfortable in new situations.
- Sensitive, caring, sweet (and sometimes emotional).
- A big fan of dramatic play (her words, not ours).
- A lover of babies and playing house.
- Afraid of loud noises (sometimes).
- Left-handed!
- One to play outside with her neighbors any chance she gets.
- Limited on the amount of screen time she gets (the TV may be on 30 minutes to 1 hour a week when she is awake).
- Pretty strong in her math skills (in our opinion).
- Not as confident in her reading skills (she tends to give up when she could sound the words out if she tried a little harder).
- Slightly uncoordinated.
- Excited to do art projects.
- A slow eater, but eats a variety of foods.
- Someone you can read by the expression on her face.
- Someone who likes to please people and be recognized for it.
- A child that is perfectly happy playing by herself.
- Not someone that has trouble interacting with adults (sometimes she prefers it to other children).
- A Daddy’s girl that loves to ride home from day-care (and now BTB) on the bike with Daddy on Friday’s.
- A Mommy’s girl that likes to follow rules (and let others know when they are not following the rules).
- A fan of structure.
- Sometimes needs to be reminded about personal space.
- Very excited for kindergarten, but also afraid of leaving her day-care where she has been at for the last 5+ years.
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