First Day of Preschool!!!!!

Reading a letter from her teacher, Mrs. O'Connell, a few days before school started

Following a German tradition where a child receives a "
A "Schultüte" (or School Cone, even though the word "Tüte" translates more as "bag" from German), often also called Zuckertüte ("sugar bag", especially in Eastern Germany) is a paper (and later plastic) bag in particular.
When children in Germany and Austria set off for their first day in school upon entering first grade, their parents and/or grandparents present them with a big cardboard cone, prettily decorated and filled with toys, chocolate, candies, school supplies, and various other goodies. It is given to children to make this anxiously awaited first day of school a little bit sweeter.

Giving off a little "Addie-tude" before we head in - clearly not scared at all!!!!

If Addie were still my one and only - this day would be a HUGE tear-jerker!!!  I still weeped a bit when she read the note from her teacher and when I woke up that morning.  It was much, much harder to hand her over to daycare when she was 8 weeks old.  But since I have had her at home for the last 2 years - I had to cut the strings once again.  If any child was ready for school - it would be this one.  She craves being around other kids, learning, singing, dancing, playgrounds, and crafts.  She always has to be doing something - never satisfied just being at home with nothing to do.  Sounds like me!!!!!  And she has been quite bored at home since Lennon came and we are less mobile.  So, I knew that preschool would be a very good thing for us.  The only negative is that nap times are definitely a thing of the past since her preschool is from 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm.  I am writing this now a good 5 weeks into preschool and we have the pick-up/drop-off routine down and Addie LOVES going into the classroom - she doesn't even say "bye" to me anymore!!!!!  And she loves hanging out on the "hill" with the other kids after school.  But - WOW - the crankiness and poor behaviors have been at an all time high since she started and I know it has EVERYTHING to do with going so long without naps when she still really needs them.  But even being at home with "quiet time" in her room - she will choose to play in her room instead of napping - even when she is dead tired.  I am very happy with all the things that go along with her being in preschool - more socializing with other parents, invites to birthday parties, the upcoming  Halloween parade and Christmas "concert", being a room mom, and being on the fundraising committee.  It keeps my head in a different place than just babies and diapers :)