Goodbye Preschool Days

Today marks the end of a big 6 years. Today is Alexander's last day at preschool. Golly he has grown up (first vs. last day of preschool).

This morning he was super keen for Daddy and I to drop him off and we decided it would be nice for all 5 of us to go. 

The kids walked the wall for the last time and we got a lovely photo of them all infront of the Preschool. 

He then happily walked in without a wave or a hug until Daddy called him back for a hug. He gave James a hug and then headed in waving bye to him. What a difference a year makes! There were no hug buttons on his wrist this time, he is just so happy, confident and keen to go to preschool. 

Because of Covid, the normal preschool Christmas concert was cancelled. Instead they did a class concert on Zoom. I love that the preschool still did a performance but I so wish that we were in there. To see their joy, their jumping around, their happy faces and enthusiastic giggles. To have Alexander see our happy faces. Anyway, we couldn't be there and we could still feel the joy through the screen. The kids sang the loudest that I have heard in our 6 years there. They were so confident, cooperative and enthusiastic. 

Alexander stood down the back for the songs but he's so tall that we could see him for them all. We could see his enthusiasm and picture his smile through the pixilated screen.

Sue spoke about each child and said some beautiful words about Alexander. 

He does have such a caring heart and I love that it is at preschool as well as at home. And the smile on his face reflects the beautiful preschool environment that he has been in. They have nurtured him, encouraged him and pushed him at times to extend himself both in his friendship circles but also in his learning. Jill then spoke to thank each of the teachers and had a few tears which of course made me start again (I had started crying even before the concert). I thanked the teachers through tears on behalf of the parent group. They are an amazing group of teachers!

I am so thankful for his beautiful preschool teachers this year. They have been a real constant in a year that has been so disruptive. They have kept in touch while we were in lockdown, they would send through lovely little surprises in the mail - craft packs, letters, work. They learnt zoom when they really didn't understand much about technology. They had smiles on their faces behind the masks. I am sad that we haven't been able to see them each and every day at pick up and drop off but I love that Alexander feels so safe and secure there and that he has grown so much in his confidence. It is a real credit to the staff.

I am also so grateful for Susie who has been his Speech Pathologist. In Term 2 Sue mentioned that she felt Alexander would benefit from some speech sessions with Susie because there were some sounds that he was having difficulty saying, like 'l', 'th', 'sh', 'r'. Susie was very accomodating and felt that a term of sessions would really help him. Unfortunately lockdown came in the middle of this time but fortunately it didn't stop Alexander and his progress. He loved his speech sessions and he tried so hard to be able to make the correct sounds. Here he is playing one of the games with me to practice his sounds. He did so well that after Week 2 of Term 4 Susie said she was happy with how he was going and he didn't need to see her anymore. Well done Bubba!

Sue has been a wonderful teacher for all 3 of our kids. She is firm but fair. She listens to each child and encourages them to try new things. She is supportive and lots of fun. She listens to the kids favourite songs and will play them over and over again. She is always smiling and busy with the kids. She learnt zoom and did some great lessons to engage the kids during lockdown which was a highlight for Alexander and I'm sure others.

Lorraine has been an amazing constant for Alexander, teaching him last year and this year through a pandemic. She met him just after he was born when Daniel was in her class and I bathed him in the classroom. She has shown him love and care when he has been anxious. She has encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone. Even this morning when he entered the classroom I heard her enthusiastic 'Hello Alexander' which I just love. She also learnt to use zoom and was even game to do some craft activities with the kids. She is just beautiful.

Georgie is just beautiful. I haven't had her before and I so wish that I could have gotten to know her more this year. She is always smiling, encouraging and kind. When we picked up the painting easel for Father's Day we stood at the gate for 15mins having a lovely chat. She is so welcoming and I know Alexander has felt very cared for by her.

Min is so lovely. Again, I haven't had her before but the few chats that we were able to have were just a delight. Her care for the kids and the way she encourages their kindness has been amazing. She has helped support a boy called Charlie and she has often told me about Alexander being such a beautiful and patient friend to Charlie. She has also encouraged me when she heard from Alexander that I'm teaching scripture which is also lovely.

Jill is just amazing too. I love the way that she runs the preschool. She is so caring and considerate. I have had the bonus of seeing the hard work she needs to make, the big decisions she needs to make and the tough calls through her chats with James but I do love the way that she does what is best for the kids and the families. She amazes me with the way that she sees every child and knows them and their parents and siblings. She greets us with a smile and a bye. She listens to the kids' stories each day and will pass on cute little moments that she overhears of sees in the playground. I do hope that our friendship will continue to grow even without us being at preschool.

To celebrate Alexander finishing preschool James and I took him out for a special breakfast on Thursday when the kids were at school. We went to Monday Morning Cafe because he was very excited to have some tasty breakfast and a babychino from there. He loved it!

Cheers to finishing preschool

To my Alexander, well done on finishing preschool! You have grown so much. You have learnt that it is ok to not be with Mummy all the time and that there are other safe places. You have made friendships that will hopefully last. You have loved playing in the sandpit (and bringing a lot of that sand home in your shoes and pockets). You have enjoyed building with blocks and playing games with your friends. Craft and painting have come and gone but when you have brought home your creations they have been amazing and so unique and creative. You no longer want a hug at drop off, instead you turn and walk in, stopping to say bye and wave and then continuing into the playground. I love our hug buttons and I love that one is now permanently on my arm. I may have pushed it a few times today during the concert, even though you don't have yours on your arm. I do hope that you felt the hugs and how proud of you I am. You bring such a joy and kind heart to all who you meet and I love that you have done this at preschool too. Your friends love playing with you, your teachers adore watching you learn and play and I have loved hearing stories of what you have been up to or comments that you have made. Thank you for telling me about your preschool days - who you played with, what you did, inside or out, what songs or stories you sang. Never stop sharing with me about your days. I love to hear them and feel a part of it all. I asked you this morning if you could stay at preschool another year and you told me no because you'd be too big and you need to go to school. You are so ready for school next year (I might not be, but you sure are!). I can't wait to see how you are going to continue to grow and learn and shine in the school. I know that you are going to be a beautiful friend to all and a wonderful helper for your teacher. Keep being you in all that you do. I'm proud of you!

I am so sad to be finishing up at Pennant Hils War Memorial Children's Centre. It has been a big 6 years - my first experience of time away from my babies with someone outside of my family, my kids' first experience of learning outside of the home, a chance for my kids to make new friends on their own, to work out who they are and their little personalities, a place for them to grow, learn and play. Each teacher I have just loved. Each class has been gorgeous. Each of our kids have grown and flourished. I cannot recommend this preschool enough to others. I'm just sad that we won't still be going there.