McGinnis Family Fun: First Day of School

Well, it officially happened...we now have a preschooler! September 7, 2010 Owen started his very first day of school EVER! :) On Tuesday and Thursday mornings he is attending Little Learners Playschool in DC. The school is a co-op, meaning there is one lead teacher and 2 assistant parents that help out in the classroom each week. His school is affiliated with our church NCC and is in the basement of our coffeehouse, Ebenezer's.

For almost a year and half now Owen has been attending Kids Church on Sunday mornings, and although I am typically not the teacher in his class, I am usually around, doing coordinating for all of the classes and Owen knows I am not far. Because of this, I wasn't sure how he would do on his first day of school. We talked about it a lot in the weeks leading up to his first day, and on parents night I spied the toys in the classroom so I could come home and tell him what fun things he would find there play with. He was very excited each time I talked to him, and the last night before school I asked him where he was going in the morning, he replied "to school on the bus!" (he was convinced he was going on a bus, but I think he finally has come to the realization that that is not the case). I also asked where I was going to be when he was in school and he replied "your going to work with daddy!" This was, in fact, the first time in his life that Mommy was going to work, and its confusing sometimes :) So many changes, but he seemed to have a pretty good grasp on what was going to happen.

We arrived in the morning and were a little early, so I had a chance to take Owen upstairs to the offices to see where I would be working while he was in class. We picked up a little treat at the coffeehouse and then it was time to go to class. When we walked in, Owen looked around and took it all in. He's been in this space many times before, but never has it had toys, a circle time area, or tables for crafts and snack! He spied the toys we had talked about, a kitchen set like Grandma Donna has at her house, a helicopter, and a firetruck and walked over to start playing. I got him all signed in, snapped a few pictures, told him I was leaving and he waved "Bye Mama!"

...part of me wanted him to want me to stay. The other part was so proud and happy that he is an independent, polite, sweet little boy who is well adjusted and not afraid of new situations. So, I made sure he didn't need to use the bathroom, he knew what his teachers name was, and reassured him...ok, reassured myself that I would be back to get him in just 3hrs, waved goodbye, and left. That was it. My little man started his first day of preschool, not a tear was shed by either of us, and he has been excited to go every day since!

Each child in class was given a special tote to carry their belongings to and from school, and we got to decorate it together the night before school

Owen also picked out this special backpack, and we use it to transport things like snack, and other large items that are needed. Sometimes we even stuff the tote back into his backpack for easier carrying.