Firsts

Today I am almost certainly going to cry in public. I  cannot help myself. Elise is starting preschool today. I am not ready. She is very ready. Cordelia has spent the past few weeks sharing all of the details with Elise: giving tips, warnings, explaining the progression of the day. Elise is excited as she knows the teachers and the school. She has shown tons of confidence, but I really hope this little introvert will not panic when the reality hits her. She will love it. I keep telling her and myself that she will have so much fun!

Today is also another first, Cordelia begins homeschool! We have been dabbling over the summer, but today is the official kick-off of our curriculum. She is so excited! We have been counting down the days. I have been prepping materials and planning our time. I have been giving myself pep talks and I have prepped some fun projects for Cordelia. Most of all I am excited for the stuff beyond the curriculum, exploring her passions and helping her learn how to  feed her very curious mind.

Tomorrow I will have a full report.

Back to Pre-School

Yesterday was Cordelia's third, first day of pre-school (read 2013 here and 2012 here). This year was a bit bittersweet as she was returning when all of her friends were starting kindergarten. She missed the cut-off for kindergarten by a couple of weeks.  Once we all wrapped our minds around that it was pretty easy to get back in the swing of things. Eric and I were positive and careful to emphasize the fact that she gets to make all kinds of new friends. She is a pretty awesome girl and was ready and raring to go, bright and early (at 3am, then 6am).

She had carefully chosen her outfit several days earlier and could hardly wait to get the new school clothes on to her small frame. She chose a black and white striped dress with a red belt, black and white polka-dotted leggings, a sweater and her brand new backpack. Elise was super impressed.







When we were finally ready to head to school she pretty much bolted to the car. We made the drive and Elise kept chatting, but Cordelia had her head in the game. I am sure she was imagining everything that would happen.

Upon arrival the parking lot was packed with parents. First days are always intense as parents like to linger (been there), but now we waited to be let in and had a little vegan chat with her teach, took a picture and said our goodbyes. Cordelia pretty much just waved us off, like yeah-yeah whatever.

Once we made the drop Elise required a little explanation, but then she just wanted Eric to take her picture too.



When we picked her up a few hours later she was very happy with her teacher and told me she made a new friend, but she could neither name nor describe her. Anyway, here we go into our last year of pre-school with Cordelia.

Back To School and Wisdom Tooth Update

Yesterday, on our way to the removal of my wisdom teeth, we swung by Cordelia's preschool. We got to do a quick orientation as she was introduced to this year's teacher (they actually already know each other) and got to check out her classroom.

She was beyond excited be back at school. When we arrived there were several of her friends from last year. The sweetness of their reunion was nearly unbearable. So darling!


Eric with the girls

 
Notice the backpack. It reads,"Friendship is Magic."
*Side note: I really tried to get her to fall in love with a plain backpack as I hate advertising for other companies. It's just my thing, but I had to let her pick the pack of her choice. Sigh. She also has a My Little Pony t-shirt. 

** Side note2: Cordelia calls My Little Pony, Honey Pie Pony. She knows the real name, but insists on calling it Honey Pie Pony...

 
 Getting her picture taken

So she is all set up and ready for day one of Pre-K classes. Ahhh! How did we get here so fast?
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Update on Toothectomy:

My teeth were successfully removed. I was not sedated for the procedure so I got to experience something unique.

Highlights:
1. When my dentist pulled out the teeth he said, "Here that snap, crackle, and pop? That's just bone breaking."
2. As he removed teeth he said,"It's a boy." Then showed me my own tooth.
3. I was nervous so I made weird jokes as I always do. Thankfully the dental hygienists were game for it.

I am sore today, but it really isn't so bad.

Class is in Session

Well, I am back to teaching this semester. Last night I had my first night back after the winter break. Going in this time I felt a lot more confident than I did with my first class. I went in a bit early to make some copies and planned to have enough time to comfortably settle in.

Well, I had on some boots (Eric calls it my equestrian look) and when I stepped out the door I had to grab the handrail to prevent myself from a full face plant--I have a startling gift for amazing wipe-outs. I had to do a quick run inside to adjust my wardrobe and then I was back out the door with plenty of time.

I got to the school, unlocked the classroom door for a few waiting students and headed off to make some copies.I walked into the mail/copy room and walked straight to the copy machine and it was all jammed, someone had just left it (BOO!). Thankfully I am good at fixing those confounded machines and I got it all printed before class started.

I ran into the classroom, slightly frazzled, but mostly in tact. My students all looked up at me expectantly and I just dove in. I have a mixed bag of students, a few talkers, your garden variety class. I was just happy when a few of them snorted appreciatively at my bad art history jokes.

When I let them out a few came up to ask questions or to say how excited they were for the semester I breathed a sigh of relief. Who knew that I would feel so comfortable as a teacher?!Oh, and in case you are wondering I am definitely an absent minded professor!