April 6th- First Day of Preschool

We've talked for several months about putting Madison in a Preschool program.
She has a huge desire to learn and loves being with other kids.
After the move, Mommy started researching the few programs in our area.
We stumbled upon an AWESOME new preschool within a local church!
After meeting with the director and taking a tour, the girls and I were sold.
The curriculum is exactly what we were looking for, the classrooms have giant windows making each space bright and cheery, but most importantly- Madison couldn't stop asking when she got to go back!
We quickly decided she would start the next week with the morning/half day program 9am-noon 3 days a week.
April 6th was her first day of school.

She talked about her new school and meeting new friends the entire week leading up to her first day (and for months before asking why her friends all got to go to 'school' or daycare and she didn't) but her excitement quickly turned to tears the morning of her first day.
With several trips back and forth to our room with 'needs' or concerns all night long, Madison did not get a good night's sleep.
She woke up crying and practically refused to get in the car for school.
The tears continued as we dropped her off in class and helped put her bag and jacket in her very own cubby.
Mommy and Kennedy made a quick dash out the door to make the transition less painful for everyone.
As soon as we left the building Kennedy started crying for her sister, 'Ma-sun', Ma-sun'.
When we got to the car, she pointed to her sister's empty seat and just about lost it.
I think she thought we were dropping Madison off FOREVER!
Mommy shed no tears, and Kennedy quickly realized the benefits of being an only child for a few hours. We drove into town and went to Target where Kennedy got her very own chocolate cookie, followed by another....and half of another (hey- the kid was sad, they were small cookies) and soon her sister was a tiny thought in the back of her mind.
Just about the time we were both missing Madison again, it was time to pick her up!
Madison's teacher Miss Kathy said as soon as we left, Madison cuddled into her lap for 2 minutes then happily sat on her own animal on the circle time mat and there was never another sad moment.
She LOVED school!

As we walked out of the classroom and into the hall, I asked Madison to stand next to the calendar for a picture. Kennedy thought she should back up against the wall, too.

Every morning Madison wakes up and asks if she gets to go to school today and what she will learn. Now, the whining comes when she doesn't get to go to school.

We love hearing about all her school antics, bible stories, alphabet sounds, and friends.

And yes, Kennedy still asks about Madison every day she is in school, but is loving her one on one time with Mommy!