First Day of Preschool

From Drop Box

We enrolled Sabine in a preschool/daycare at a local farm, one half-day a week. Their focus is really just on being outside, experiencing the farm. The kids help feed the animals, plant seeds, pick the fruits in the summer, etc., mixed in with lots of digging in the dirt, playing on...rustic toys, and chasing peacocks. Given that we don't really have much outdoor space of our own, this sounded like a wonderful opportunity for Sabine to get a little more outdoor time.

She's a little young, normally they accept kids starting at 30 months (Sabine is almost 27) but they took her on a trial basis to reserve her spot. I dropped her off this morning, full of emotions, not knowing what to expect. Sabine saw a llama and that was it. I told her I was going to the grocery store, and she informed me she was staying with the llama. "Bye-bye, Mama!"

So.

That was easy.

(For her, anyway.)

I picked her up at 12:50, I got there a little early since I wasn't sure what state she'd be in. Not only was it her first day, but it was 20 minutes after her normal nap time. She was galloping around carrying an unopened string cheese. I assume lunch was too boring compared to everything else she had going on.

The teachers were busy helping all the kids pack up, so I didn't get to talk to them much, but they did both tell me that Sabine did really well. Apparently she particularly liked the chicken coop. (Germ-a-phobe mom is trying very hard not to think about that pre-lunch activity too much. A little dirt is good for the immune system, right?) One teacher told me Sabine communicates exceptionally well for her age, and both said she is a definite leader. I don't know how much of that was lip-service to a first-time parent, but this mom totally ate the compliments up with a spoon, and I am so crazy proud of Sabine for doing so well.

As we were leaving, one of the teachers happened to be moving to another building where some older kids were coming in for the afternoon. Sabine asked where she was going and she explained she was going to play with the big kids, then she paused and said, "You'd fit right in, wouldn't you? ... Two going on twenty!" Sabine agreed in all seriousness, but opted for the car instead, where she fell promptly asleep before we were even out to the main road. She's still napping right now. I'm not sure what to make of the two-going-on-twenty comment, but it was meant as a compliment, so that's where I'll leave it. At least she hasn't asked for a cell phone, yet!