Farewells and New Beginnings

Last Friday Tyler’s preschool had their farewell luncheon and preschool graduation!  For months, they have been working on their program.  Tyler would not tell us anything about it.  He is apparently very good at keeping secrets!

At lunchtime, the parents were invited to a luncheon with pizza, salad, and brownies.  Tyler was so excited to see Josh and I there.  My parents came up to watch Ryan during the day so that Josh and I could come without Ryan.  The food was yummy, and we got to chat with other parents and kids!

That afternoon, I had a transition meeting with Tyler’s speech therapist to transfer his IEP to kindergarten.  I met with the therapist, assistant principal, and a kindergarten teacher to talk about our plan for transitioning Tyler.  His therapist says that he is almost ready to be done with his speech therapy!  But the plan is to continue it through the expiration of his current IEP, which is the end of November.  All of his files will be transferred to the new elementary school that is being built and is where he will go if we don’t move.

Speaking of the elementary school, we make weekly trips to go see its progress!  We learned a lot about the school recently.  Apparently it is going to be pretty amazing!  I already knew that the principal is very good, but I also learned that each classroom will have a wing with all sorts of technology, including iPads! Even before hearing of this new school, the school that’s always been in our district is wonderful as well.  So, we have always known that we were in a great school district.  I’m not sure how the middle or high schools line up, but if we stay here we are sure to have Tyler in a great elementary school!

Tyler’s graduation was at 7pm Friday evening.  But before that, we had a family cookout with Mimi, Paw Paw, and Grandma LeConey.  For the first time EVER I asked a babysitter to watch Ryan.  I never even had a babysitter for Tyler!  I’ve always been paranoid about people other than family watching my kids. Luckily, one of Tyler’s past preschool teachers had given me her information when she left last year as a possible babysitter.  So, I asked her to come watch Ryan and put him down to bed.  He did great!

Anyway, Tyler’s program was adorable.  They sang songs and then did the traditional walking across the stage to get the diploma.  As they announced each child’s name, they also announced what award they won for the year.  As you can see below, Tyler’s was no surprise.

I learned from Josh’s mom that Josh received the same award when he was little.  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

Tyler had a little trouble doing his motions with one hand, and bless his heart, he looked like a one-armed graduate in his cap and gown!  But he was a trooper!

                   

Here is an abbreviated video of the graduation that I put together. 

Preschool Graduation

We are so proud of Tyler.  He has come such a long way since he started there at 2 1/2.  We’ve been so lucky to find this preschool considering the horror that we went through with his first daycare. I think there is something to be said about family owned businesses.  The owner of his preschool is so particular about who she hires, and it reflects in the classrooms.  His teachers  have always been overly caring of not only all of the students but especially Tyler.  He somehow wins the hearts of his teachers. He’s been known to get extra snacks on the side    He is academically more than ready for kindergarten, and its not to the credit of Josh and I.  It’s because of his teachers.  We sure do love them, and if we stay here, we look forward to Ryan continuing the redhead name in the preschool building!

Tyler will continue attending preschool until kindergarten starts.  So, this is not a goodbye yet! But for many of his classmates, the next few weeks will be their last days.

Congratulations to Tyler! It won’t seem real until the first day of school approaches!

        

Class of 2011