preschool pics by ms. sarah

reach for the stars!

Today, Ellis graduated from preschool! Our time at the YMCA has been nothing short of spectacular. His teacher as a Firefly, Ms. Sarah, is one for the record books...loving, attentive, creative, patient, and most importantly, FUN! We met new and lasting friends, learned lots of new things, and started a good relationship with school that will benefit him in years to come. This year, all during the course of play, Ellis became completely kindergarten ready...even reading beginner books to us by the end of the school year. He made real strides socially as well. He is quick to be the peace keeper of a group, wanting everyone to be happy. He is still a very sensitive soul, only wanting to please others, but he is now able to recognize and have the confidence to defend things he feels might not be quite right. As if that wasn't enough, his motor skills took off too. He learned to swim without a flotation belt, and became much more confident in his active play. We celebrated this milestone today with lunch of his choice, Chipotle, a couple of gifts, and a cupcake the size of his head...with sprinkles! Best.Day.EVER!

...with his bestest buddy, Dash.

Off to kindergarten!!

first day as a ladybug

Today is E's first first day of school! He's a Ladybug at the YMCA preschool (same class M was in). He is apprehensive to be away from "someone who is mine", and he thinks 3 hours is way.too.long. He's going a long with it though and ended up having a pretty darn good day.

Raf is in his class with him, and I think this picture sums up their personalities perfectly.

The most surprising thing to me was all he had to tell me after class! I learned more about E's day 15 minutes after I had picked him up than I learned in the entire 2 years M attended preschool there...the titles of the books they read, what they ate for snack, his art project, songs sang, activities played...all of it!

a preschool graduate!

Fireflies - Preschool graduate

Class of 2012

We started the evening with a graduation ceremony, complete with songs and a slide show. I couldn't hold back the tears celebrating this milestone for my first little baby...

After the ceremony, we gathered in the cafeteria to have some cake and celebrate the graduates!

M is sure to miss Miss Aneesa and Miss Andrea. He had such a fun year at school.

Mimi wouldn't have dreamed of missing this.

Later, we went to Dengeo's (a favorite of M's) for hot dogs and lemonade!

...and at home we opened a little graduation gift. A new backpack...FOR KINDERGARTEN!? ::deep breaths::