Pre-K

Rudy started pre-school this fall.  Is anyone else in disbelief?!  It still hasn't quite sunk in that Rudy is big enough for pre-k.

We've been prepping Rudy for preschool for some time now.  Before Ben was born we started going to church every Sunday, always mentioning "this is where you'll go to school…" We went to the open house in the spring.  We went to as many fish fries as we could at the school during Lent.  Any chance we had to attend something at the school, we did it - Isabela's program, Garden Party, etc.  All things to get him used to the place.  We had a "new families" meeting the week before school started to meet our mentors and complete the registration process.  Rudy went with, too.  The first week of preschool we took him to the open house class and stopped by Aunt Jennifer's office on the way in.  We thought it was good for him to see the familiar face and know right where she was - any kind of comfort is good right?

Here are some pictures of the open house class.  He was enthralled by all there was to do.  Books, tools, dress-up, play-doh, blocks… he bounced from one thing to another, wanting to try it all out! 

We were given a scavenger hunt to find things like the library, the trash can, and his cubbie.  On our way out, we were also given the "Preschool Handbook" and a folded note to read before bedtime the night before his first day… I was holding back tears at just the thought!

The night before we read our special note from Mrs. Stauffer and a book I had picked up for the occasion as well, Pout Pout Fish Goes to School.  

Here's our big guy before his first day!  

Some of the highlights:

Rudy's First Day of Pre-K

August 21, 2014

Blessed Sacrament School

37 inches; 33 pounds

Age 3

Teacher: Mrs. Stauffer

Favorite Color: Blue

I love: Baseball, outside, my family

Favorite food: Mac and cheese, chicken nuggets

I want to be a Fire Fighter when I grow up

Rudy was such a trooper with all the pictures,  but he was so proud.  When we got to school, Isabela was waiting for us so I couldn't resist another photo op!  He walked right in, got his book bag hung up in his spot, checked-in, and immediately got to playing.  He gave us some tight hugs, but overall, he wasn't sad to see us go!  Avery was the most upset.  She really wanted to stay and play, too.  

Taking and picking Rudy up from school is a chore, but it's mostly fun.  He is such a big boy!  He knows the drill - where to go, where to put his book bag, where his folder goes, where to check-in, hugs, and see-ya!  He tells Avery, "You not go to school, Avery.  Me go all by myself.  When you big boy, you go school, otay?"  If John's at work and I take her in with me, he tries not to let her touch anything in the classroom - which is really hard because there is so much to see and touch!  But he's so happy to see us when we pick him up.  He runs to Avery and Ben, "Me happy see you!"

Hearing what he has to say about the day is awesome.  He usually responds the same way each day: What'd you do today, Rudy?  "Play wif my friends.  Jack.  Nolan.  Read books.  Sing songs."  (I checked the roster, and yes, there is a boy named Jack in the class :)) Then the more I pry I get some variety.  He was really excited about "cupcakes for nack!" for "two boys birbay" (roster check again - yes, there are twin boys in the class).  One day they went outside and "Me run really fast!  Mrs. Stauffer 'ready set go!'" and "Pway with too much play-doh!"  He will randomly break out in song - it's been interesting trying to decipher what he is singing, but it is the sweetest thing hearing him recite what he's learning.  One morning he started singing a new song, "rockin in school shoes, rockin in school shoes…" I couldn't quite make out what he was saying.  I chimed in with "walking in my cool shoes…"  "No mom, like this, 'rockin in school shoes.'"  I had a few more guesses before I gave up.  (Avery, however, mimicked him and he said, "Yea Avery! Like that!")  The next week we got a newsletter from his teacher with all kinds of things they had been doing, along with a list of books they had read.  And there it was, "Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes" Ah-ha! :) 

Getting out the door with all three to be there by 7:45 is tough!  Makes me really appreciate the lazy mornings we get other days :)