Emmy's First Day of Preschool

Today, my little baby girl started preschool.  The past four years have flown by so very fast.  Before I had children, I always heard people say "kids grow up so fast."  I never realized the full impact of that statement until today. 

As we hustled to get Emmy out the door this morning (and Zoe ready for Papa's house), I made sure to get a few pictures of Emmy on her first day of school.  This year, Emmy is attending a Montessori school that focuses heavily on science - Black Mountain Science Academy - where much of the focus is on microbiology.  With Emmy's love of Doc McStuffins and her fascination with Zoe's constant doctor visits, perhaps this'll prime her well for medical school. 

Who knows, maybe both Emmy and Zoe will go to medical school.  Don't think it's possible for Zoe?  Think again - check out this amazing story of Tom Glenn, shared by his mom, Terri, who lives in Chandler, Arizona!

Of course, as soon as I picked up Emmy today after work, I asked her to tell me three things about her day.  I figured I wasn't going to get much when she stared at me blankly and said, "Uuummm..."

So, with much prodding (and Papa's help), here is what I got:

1.  Emmy played with her new friends Abigail and Maddie.
2.  Emmy went to the playground.
3.  Emmy did puzzles.
4.  Emmy did not eat all of her goldfish at lunch.
5.  Emmy learned "criss-cross applesauce" but is unsure why.
6.  Emmy lost her sandwich container.
7.  Emmy did not "pee on the potty" because her teacher didn't tell her to.
8.  She did not see Arik.

and last but not least . . .

They do "flag" during "circle time." (What flag you ask, "the Obama flag!"  I said, Emmy, you didn't say that in class did you?  Her response, "no, I was quiet.")

So yes, she may be in preschool, but she's also apparently doubling as an Obama campaign staffer.

We'll see how tomorrow goes - so far, so good!

Kick, Kick, Art

While all four of us were sick on Saturday, fortunately, everyone felt better on Sunday, just in time for the girls' first ever swim lesson.  The instructor, Jennifer, came to our house and was very good with the girls.  They worked mostly on kicking.  Lots of kicking.

And learning how to catwalk to the steps...

Zoe expressing her displeasure

All started off well, until it was time to go underwater!  Admittedly, mommy wasn't too thrilled about this part either.  Emmy was more than unhappy; she was terrified.  Her (very experienced) swim instructor convinced me that all of this is normal with new swimmers and kids don't like water in their ears, etc.  (who does?)  But all that ran through my mind is the Oprah episode about dry drownings... anxiety much?!

Emmy's underwater trial by fire; she kicked herself up and grabbed the side, as instructed.

Zoe really showed off her strength during swim lessons and practically scaled the wall to climb out of the pool.  Swim instruction definitely counts towards good aerobic activity!

Even though the girls were not so thrilled with their first immersion class, we're hoping next week will be a little easier.

To top off the weekend, we did some wall hangings in anticipation of the many items Emmy will be bringing home from preschool.  Yep, 1/2 day, 5 days a week preschool starts next week!  To get Emmy in the spirit, we prepared a wall in her playroom so she could show off her goods.

Of course, while we attempted to finish up the project, Zoe was less than helpful... this girl tried to scale the walls all weekend!  Perhaps she was just showing off - she wanted everyone to know that she wasn't going to let a little cold keep her down.