Today I am a Child and My work is Play

Today was Tanner's 1st day of preschool! He goes to Friendship Celebration Preschool www.friendshipcelebration.org located at the Lutheran Church right by our house. Pastor Tom, the staff, and the church all seem wonderful and full of life! The kids will have many field trips and a few programs during the year where the preform at church on Sunday in front of the congregation! He also can join Awana too which meets every Monday night.....we are thinking about it! Twice a year there will be parent/teacher conferences, that makes me laugh! There is also a scrapbook made for each child throughout the year to document the school year just like a yearbook, except better because it is a home made scrap book! Lisa and I looked through the scrapbooks of years past today and were very impressed! They were adorable! It's going to be an awesome year!

This was a big milestone in his little life and mine as well! As I pulled out of the driveway this morning, I got a little teary eyed! I think the reason I didn't completely lose it today was because today was only 1 hour long and the parents could stay and watch! Thursday, however, will be a different story when I have to drop him off and LEAVE! One fun little tidbit about Mrs. Dockweiler's classroom.......it has a 2 way mirror so I can watch him anytime I want to without him knowing! If anyone wants to see Tanner in action at preschool, just let me know!

Tanner, my 1st baby, is getting to be a big boy! I am so proud of him and all the accomplishments he has had, it is amazing at the same time to look back and see just how fast the past 3 years have gone by. Looking back to the day he was born, I never could have seen this far ahead to think we would be where we are today. I can't even imagine what God has in store for us for the next 3, 6, 9, 12....... years!

The first day of preschool was very exciting! We got up early to get ready, showered and styled his hair so he could be handsome for Mrs. Dockweiler, his teacher (his words, not mine!)! He also made sure he brushed his teeth really well to get rid of his "dragon breath" (his words again, not mine!) Below is a picture of the end product, styled hair and no dragon breath! He was very excited, I was very excited and so proud of him!

Tanner with his backpack, 3 years old, all ready for preschool! My cup runs over!

Friendship Celebration and Mrs. Dockweiler here he comes! Tanner is all boy, there is never a day that goes by that he does not have some sort of cut or bruise on any given place on his body. Of course I could have hoped for a cut somewhere other than his face for today.......but it's a lot smaller than the huge goose egg he had on his forehead for my sister Cammie's wedding!

Tanner with his friends, Makayla and Chelsea Sterling. It's always nice to have good friends in class with you! Familiar faces always make us feel more comfortable! Tanner has known the girls since he was born and they played together for 2 1/2 years at Grandma Pam's before I retired. Tyler and I are friends with Lisa and Justin, their parents. I am very happy the kids will be together in school!

Mommy, Carter, and Tanner waiting for preschool to open! Carter was an absolute trooper during preschool today! I was a bit worried because preschool is during his morning nap time and so I was unsure how he would be, especially since he would not be allowed to get down and play with the other kids. Carter is big time into playing! So, I squeezed him into the front pack and he was great! Hard to imagine Carter will be here in this classroom in 2 years!

Tanner walking over to his class! He made sure I knew that has backpack had his name on it.

Each child has their own little cubby to put their backpacks in. The kids wore name tags today, class was only an hour and the parents were allowed to stay and watch. That made my day! I love to watch this boy in action and see him in his element! He promptly stuck his backpack in his cubby, slapped on his name tag sticker and went over to wash his hands per instructions from Mrs. Dockweiler! His classmates were all adorable and their moms were all their too and seem so incredibly nice! One of the moms has 4 kids under the age of 4 and is a professor at Northwest Nazarene University. She quickly became my new mother hero! Wow, I can't wait to get to know her better!

The daily schedule for preschool is this;

9:00-9:30 Welcome and Choice Time

9:30-9:40 Clean-up

9:40-9:50 Bible Story/Chapel time with Pastor Tom

9:50-10:05 Arts and Crafts/Music

10:05-10:15 Bathroom & Wash/Quiet Book Time

10:15-10:30 Prayer and Snack

10:30-10:50 Outdoor/Large Motor Activities

10:50-11:05 Share Time

11:05-11:15 Weather/Games/Songs/Finger Plays

11:15-11:25 Story Time

11:25-11:30 Dismissal

Tanner getting ready to color with Mrs. Dockweiler helping him in his seat.

Sitting on mats in a circle with his classmate JT.

Tanner and Mrs. Dockweiler during introductions! They each got a turn to say hello to one another!

Mrs. Dockweiler leading the prayer before snack time! This is Mrs. Dockweiler's 12th year teaching preschool at Friendship Celebration. She is so very warm and loving and I know that Tanner will have a great time in her class! She is also a huge BSU Bronco Fan and goes to all the football games! As college football loving family, we know she will fit in great with us!