Owen started preschool on Monday. I preregistered him in the spring and chose to have him placed in a different classroom than the one Ben was previously in. I loved Ben's teacher and he did great while in her class but here's the thing- Owen needs a bit more discipline. It's not like he is a wild man out of control, but he has a very hard time focusing and following direction. I might be just a little too easy on him. For instance, if I ask him to pick up his toys he has looked at me sweetly and said, "I want you to do it", but most of the time he keeps playing quietly while his brother puts everything back in its place. I am not expecting miracles from Ms. Debbie but I do like her and her classroom is very well ran.
Ben was so excited to show his little brother where his new room was on Monday and enjoyed being back to say hello to his former teachers and classmates. Owen's first week went great! He goes to school from 9 to 1, four days a week. He climbs into the car little tired each afternoon, but he would never, ever admit to it. I ask him all the same questions that I used to ask Ben when we would pick him up and he thinks it is funny. He likes playing on the playground and it sounds like he is making new friends. The curriculum began at the beginning of the month and they are learning about insects.
I will say, regarding the two boys, I was more nervous about Owen starting preschool than I was about Ben going to Kindergarten. Ben is so outgoing and has never met a stranger. Owen has always had his big brother to rely on and doesn't try go out of his way to play with other kids. But in all honesty, I was really more worried about how I was going to handle it! I stopped working full time and took Ben out of daycare a few months before Owen was born and he has been by my side nonstop ever since the moment I laid eyes on him. He's my BABY!! But I did just fine and kept it together during drop off and don't even think Ben knew that I shed a tear or two as we were leaving the building.
By the time Wednesday rolled around, Ben was certainly ready for his own adventure. We had met his teacher again on Monday and got to see his classroom. He was excited to get Mrs. Bryant, my friend Kim could not say enough good things about her. I showed him the cafeteria and the library one more time and we stopped by to meet his speech teacher, Mrs. Thomas. I am relieved that his IEP made it from Great Beginnings and he is all set to start services. On Wednesday Ben naturally woke at the crack of dawn eager for the day to get started.
We were dressed and ready to meet the bus with just a few minutes to spare. He would have loved to get out of the house earlier to get some play time in with the neighbors, but I'm not that organized yet.
I couldn't stop the tears forming when I saw him climb the stairs to get on the bus. He wouldn't know this though because he didn't look back! He was so excited and I couldn't wait to hear all about it when he got back. I had to work that evening, but the stars have aligned once again and I am working at the neighborhood pharmacy closest to where we live! Jeremy brought the boys in before taekwondo so Ben could tell me all about his big day.
Yesterday was the first day that both the boys were gone that I was home from work. I am seriously amazed at how quickly I can get in and out of stores when by running errands by myself. It is all ok now, I will be just fine.
