The End or Just the Beginning?!

You may remember a few posts about Lila going off to preschool.  First there was the post about picking the best option for her and our family - click here.  And then there was the post about her actually taking that huge first step and becoming a preschooler - click here.  It honestly feels like I just sat down and wrote both of those posts...however, I am here documenting her last day of her first year of preschool.  Talk about time flying!!!!

 

August 2012 - May 2013

 

To say we are happy with her preschool is an understatement.  There have been so many moments in her short life that I have worried, but I can't tell you how blessed I (we) feel that in the case of her in-home daycare and, now, her preschool/childcare, we are beyond comfortable with the care that Lila is receiving when we aren't with her during the day. 

 

Every time we get an invitation to attend an event at All Saints I get a twinge of excitement.  They are so good about involving the parents and the other neat things is...the parents are so happily involved!  Today was no exception as we all gathered to watch our little ones receive their preschool certificates for their completed year! 

 

Welcome to the Blue Room!

 

We walked into the room where the kiddos were all lined up ready to welcome us and sing us a song about how wonderful All Saints Preschool is! 

 



Happy to see her Mom & Dad!

Before the song, Mrs. O'Connell said a few words...thanking us parents for giving them the gift of teaching our children.  While that sounds like what every preschool teacher should say to the parents of the children, it was sincere, it was even said through some tears. 

Proud girl!

Our performer!

Click Here to see their cute song!

 

After they sang their song the kids were invited to sit on the rug while each one was called up to the front of the room.  The teachers had asked the kids a few questions: 1) What was your favorite thing about preschool?  2) What are you going to miss?  3) What are you going to do this summer.  They read each of the children's answers and then presented them with a brand new book and a certificate stating they had completed a successful year of preschool!  Finishing up with each kid getting a hug from both of their teachers!

 



Waiting patiently to hear her name!

Finally it was Lila's turn!  She trotted right up to the front of the room while Mrs. O'Connell read the answers to her questions.  Lila's favorite thing about preschool was playing with play-doh and making cupcakes!  She is going to miss playing with her friends the most!  And this summer she is going to play with Connie!

A hug for Mrs. Rosencrants

A hug for Mrs. O'Connell

 

 

Our preschooler with her amazing teachers!

Mike and I both left the school today with our hearts bursting with pride!  What a fantastic day!  We couldn't have been more proud of our little girl and all she has accomplished during her first year of "school!"  As you can tell from the picture at the very beginning of this post, she has grown up a lot since August of last year.  Beyond the physical growth, and just as importantly, she has also grown emotionally and mentally and it has been so much fun to watch!

As parents, it is bittersweet for our children to spread their wings!  There is the anxiety that riddled us as we anticipated her first days and weeks at a new school, yet there is the pride that swelled in us today, and many days during her first year, as we watch her become more and more independent!

Celebrating a very special day!

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Giddy Up!

You may recall that for Lila's birthday we got her horseback riding lessons.  We live less than a mile away from Hilltop Ranch and they do riding lessons starting at four years of age.  Lila has always loved horses and enjoyed pony rides when given the chance, so we thought this would be something fun for her to do.  Today marked her very first lesson and she was super excited for this day to come!  We pulled into the ranch and met Cindy, the owner, she got us started on our paperwork and got Lila engaged right away, encouraging her to come with her to get everything ready for the lesson. 

 

Meet Bud...

Hi, Bud!

 

Bud was Lila's horse today!  They started her out very slow.  She got to help brush him all down, pet him, and just familiarize herself with him.  She picked out the saddle, picked out her helmet and then it was time to climb on!

 



 

 

 

Carrie, Cindy's daughter, is actually the one who gives the lessons.  Lila warmed up to her very quickly, but wasn't all that sure what to think once she was high up there in that saddle.  She was a bit nervous and we had a few tears, but was quickly calmed when Dad said he would walk around the ring a few times.

 



 

Are you sure about this?!

 

 

Daddy walking alongside his little (cow)girl!

I am not sure Mike even got around the ring more than once and she was cool as a cucumber.  It was pretty awesome to see her get so confident so quickly!  Both Mike and I commented that she looked so big up there on the horse, she was relaxed, smiling, and chatting up Carrie!

Thanks for your help Dad, but I can take it from here!

They spent time in the barn talking about how to get a horse to go and how to get a horse to stop, so Lila would say, "Woah!" and Carrie would help her get Bud to stop.  It was very cute.  They did quite a few laps and then she had Bud go over a little bridge and they decided that it would be fun to ride outside and enjoy some of the beautiful weather we are having.

 

Off they go!



Meeting some of the other horses!

More horses to meet

Enjoying herself!

Happy girl!

 

We were both unbelievably proud of Lila today.  She can be a bit fearful in new situations, but she quickly put her fears aside and embraced the opportunity and had a fantastic time!  She was relaxed and confident and is so excited to go back next week to spend some more time with Bud!  Who knows if this will be a forever thing, but I can't say I would complain if we needed to live somewhere with a little bit of land to accommodate a horse!