Look who else had her first day of school!!!!

After weeks of indecision and anguish, I finally decided to send Kensie to preschool. Today was her first day of school! I went back and forth a thousand times and late yesterday it was a definitive no. By early morning though, it was a maybe. It didn't become a definitive yes until I drove into the preschool parking lot. Kensie was telling me that she didn't want to go to school, that she wanted to go home and watch t.p. (that is how she pronounces t.v.). I told Kensie that we would just go and try it. It first seemed an inevitable disaster. The teacher had to pry her away from me and she went into uncontrollable sobbing. Fortunately, we had forgotten her backpack and I had to go back to the car and get it. (It is so hard to see your children like that) When I returned she was no longer crying and within a few minutes she was seated with the other children painting. The school has a one-way window so I could observe her and she didn't even know that I was there. I watched her transition into circle time and I left when she was nodding her head in agreement and raising her hand. When I came back she was on the school train with her class having a grand time. She did great and seems eager to go back.

Part of my indecision is the fact that this is not a Christian preschool.The other part had to do with her young age and not quite sure if she was ready. Sloan went to Christian preschool and he is now in a Christian elementary school so that is all we have ever known. Honestly, the reason I sent Kensie to this particular school is because the facility is amazing. This is truly a state-of-the-art preschool. But, on the other hand, Sloan's K-2 campus is rather old and dingy, but it is filled with love and it is filled with Jesus. Just like the clothes don't make the man, the campus doesn't make the school. But for some reason, I still felt compelled to send Kensie here. I prayed about it and I think I may know what helped lead to my decision. If Sloan and Kensie are both going to Christian schools, then I may have a tendency to feel that they both receive adequate spiritual training/education at school and not do as much at home. Now, I will have to make sure that Kensie learns about Jesus, prays, knows her Bible stories, etc. . . all at HOME. Parents have the primary responsibility to train up their children in the way they should go, so when they are old they will not depart from it. I think it will be good for all of us. Plus, perhaps our family can be used to minister to non-Christian families at her school. We would be privilieged to be used by the Lord if He so chooses.

Dear Kensie,

I can't believe that you are a big-girl preschooler! I am so proud of you. I pray that you have a wonderful year learning how to count, your ABC's, how to share and how to be a friend. I pray that you continue to learn to love Jesus at home and at church. I pray that you will extend that love of Jesus to your friends at preschool.

Love,
Mom


Her clothes and things are all ready for preschool, but is Kensie?

Kensie getting her backpack ready for school just in case I decide to send her


Should I send her or not?!?! This dress is awfully cute, and it won't fit for the first day of school next year. If she doesn't go, maybe I could sell it on Ebay Hmmmmm. . .

WILL SHE OR WON'T SHE????????????????????????????????????????


She will and she did! All smiles at the end of the day. There are only photos though from the END of the day and not the beginning. The screaming fits are not exactly Kodak moments. ;)


Inside the choo-choo train at the end of the morning


The highlight of the day


Kensie with her teacher, Mrs. Lopez


Apples for every student at the end of the day. Kensie received an apple when we visited the school last spring. Since then, whenever the topic of school would arise, Kensie would always mention those apples.


A well-deserved apple for our budding preschooler


Kensie is happy with mom's FINAL decision. She knew it was the right one all along. :)