Sunday, September 23, 2012

rosh hashana

it was rosh hashana a week ago, and we celebrated with penny's grandparents on long island.  i baked a  challah and an apple pie, and penny brought the shofar she made in preschool.

i finally remembered to take my annual mother's day photo:
other than that, penny has been loving school, and we are slowly adjusting to our new schedules.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

ice cream!

after the first day of school, where else would we go but for ice cream (it's actually frozen yogurt, don't tell)!  bear in mind that she had just come from school where there was lunch and two snacks, and she ate carrots and hummus in the school yard after school.
so imagine my surprise when this:
went to this:


in no time.

first day!

and just like that, she's a preschooler.  we all walked to school together, she played outside in the schoolyard, i hung her backpack on her hook, dropped her lunchbox in her class bin, she sat down at a table to do a project, we hugged and kissed her and then didn't know what to do.
the experienced parents waved us towards the door with a "run while you can!" expression, and alex and i took each others' hands and left!  this was our last view of her until 3pm:
she's doing great, we're doing great, and it's all so good!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

orientation!

today was orientation day at preschool!  penny has been waiting for this day for so long!  the first time we took penny to school, it was for a tour and an informational interview for us.  then we told her she was going to be going to school, waited a few weeks, and told her we were going to a school party, which was at the park.
today we told her she was going to school, but it started at 11, and was only an hour and a half.  it was a GOOD hour and a half, though - she did a project:
(they made placemats - i assume they'll be laminated by tomorrow)
and played with a TON of classroom toys, including this unprecedented conversation between a penguin and an elephant:

she will eventually be going 5 full days a week, but the jewish holidays will be closing the school for many days in september, breaking up her weeks, which both keeps her schedule thrown off but also eases her into her new schedule.  i'm sure it will all work out!  it's got to be so confusing for her at this point!  she had a great time - she did not want to leave, which seems like a good sign to me!

here is her unofficial first day photo!  real first day tomorrow!


Monday, September 10, 2012

well, that's it, then...

this morning was our last regular walk to the subway all together.  every weekday morning (with very few exceptions) we have eaten breakfast together, gotten dressed, and walked me to the subway to work.  occasionally alex and penny would end up turning off early and going to the playground or bookstore, but the idea was the same.  recently, we have added the potty as part of our routine.  still, in essence, every day we have walked me to the subway as a family.
tomorrow is orientation at preschool, and wednesday she will be starting  five days a week.  the plan is for me to walk her to school and for alex to pick her up.  and that's it.  no more baby at home.  she is starting her school career.  the next 16 years of her life (at least) will be governed by the "school year".  so bittersweet - she is so ready for school, and is excited and wishes it all started today.  i am thrilled for her, and know we're sending her to a great place, but at the same time i am sad that she's growing up.  sad that she'll have experiences that neither alex nor i will be there for.  sad that she's not a baby anymore.  and of course that comes with a huge amount of pride in how capable she is, how quickly she integrates herself in a group situation, and how much personality and individuality she embodies at such a young age.

i hope preschool is ready for her.