Jude's First Day of Pre-School

Jude's first day of pre-school at ISA was yesterday. He had been going for a week already to the day care for faculty kids ("creche"), while Pete attended meetings, so the big day didn't feel as momentous as it might have otherwise. He was still so excited for his first day in the Rabbit class and to see all of his friends. To help with the transition from nursery to pre-school, ISA keeps the entire class intact. So apart from two boys who no longer go to the school and one new girl, the class was exactly the same as last year. So only new teachers and a new classroom to get used to on the first day. Both were great and after 30 minutes, all of the parents were gone, leaving our kids to get up to their normal shenanigans. He starts with just 1/2 days for the next week so I carted Maeve home, let her sleep and then went back for pick up and lunch. Times like these I am so grateful for the easy, 5 minute commute to school!

Pre-school promises lots more gym time and adding music and art classes to their weekly schedule. We received the teacher/instructor introduction letter yesterday and after reading everyone's bios, I am impressed and feeling like Jude is in the best hands.

I'd be remiss if I didn't also congratulate this hard working teacher on his first day of school! Pete's 1st day of his 13th year teaching! How are we old enough to have done 13 years of anything?!

 

For the past week, Maeve has been toddling all over the house, I think looking for Jude and Pete, not understanding why they aren't home all the time still. We had a lot of great Maeve and mommy time in the past week (post to follow), but I know she misses her boys. Her excitement when they come home is amazing! 

"Why do they have to go?!"

Starting back at school also means getting to see all of Pete's teacher friends and our community at ISA. Jude spends a lot of time before and after school in the science department and loves all of his surrogate aunts and uncles there.

With Kim and Irene

Exploring his new classroom

It turned into a beautiful day so we enjoyed it in our garden and then with a bike ride through the polders behind our house. We did a bit of a "nature walk" though our tired kiddos mostly wanted to be carried. I forgot how gorgeous the sky is here! 

The second day today was also a success. The hardest part was convincing Maeve to leave! She's doing great with her walking and was all over the place! Here's to a great year in the Rabbit class! 

"I can stay, right mom"