Meet-and-greet

We had our Meet-and-Greet yesterday. I took the day off. After we dropped Caroline off at daycare, we had Mommy and Minky day, a.k.a, "Operation: Get Elizabeth Interested In Kindergarten". We went to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast (I know, nutritional, right?) Afterwards, we headed to Tarjay with our school supply list. I figured if she helped me pick out the supplies she'd be more excited about it. It worked great. I explained to her the list we had and she walked around and picked everything out and placed it in the cart. Then she placed it all on the check-out and later placed the bags in the car. When we got to the checkout the lady asked her if she was going to school and she proudly announced "YES! I'm going to KINDERGARTEN!" Whoo Hoo! The first EVER positive comment about the whole ordeal. Finally!

We went to Jim Bob's Chicken Fingers for lunch. We had a really great time. We played games (I-spy), talked about our favorite color, our favorite animal, etc... we just talked and laughed all day. I really needed that and I'm sure she did too. Then we headed off to the school. The big scary school. She did great. I talked to her in bits and pieces all day.... Every now and then I'd toss out a comment like "When we go to the school, you're not going to cry. You're going to be brave and polite, and use your good manners." "When your teacher talks to you, you're not going to hide behind me and be rude. You're going to look at her in the face and be polite." "When she asks you your name you're going to say it loudly. Let's practice." So by the time we got there she was pretty set on what I expected of her, and how things were going to go. I swear, with this kid - you've got to S.P.E.L.L it out for her.

It was a very casual meet-and-greet. I thought we'd all pile in there and there would be some sort of presentation or whatever. But it was more like a rotating door kind of thing. We walked in. Her teacher greeted us. She seems very nice. She gave Elizabeth a hug right away and for someone who is usually shy about that stuff, Elizabeth did a great job at accepting her hug and giving one back. She told us to find her name on the desks, and there we'd find our folder, etc... and encouraged us to look around. So we did. I even took her outside to the playground and had her play on it for a few minutes so she'd know what to expect on Monday (insert over-prep opportunity number 865). I had an opportunity to quietly tell the teacher how apprehensive E is about all of this, but explained once she's used to it, she'll be just fine. The teacher looked at Elizabeth and said "I'm going to need a helper on Monday. Will you be my helper?" Elizabeth's eyes lit up. If there's one thing she's good at, it's being a Helper. So I feel good about the teacher, and her ability to address issues/concerns like that.

Then we went to the cafeteria where they had all kinds of booths, PTA, etc... I have to get her lunch squared away since we'll be buying lunch - at least at first. They have this crazy computerized/debit card thing where I have to teach Elizabeth a 6 digit code for her account (is every school like this, or just our crazy ass big school?). When I saw the Girl Scout booth I was able to walk over and introduce myself as a new Leader. You'd think I said "Hi, I am Evita. Please. drop to your knees and worship me!" Apparently, they're thrilled I'm here. I'm not sure whether I should be excited or scared.

This is one huge ass school. The latest enrollment number I saw was 1303 students, K-4. I could go on and on about small schools vs. large schools, but I'm not. This is where we live. This is what we've got. It's a great school and we're just going to make it work. I wanted to show her where the bus is going to drop her off and show her where she needs to go to get to her class. It's a long ass walk. As we were walking down the long ass hallway, she began crying "What's wrong, Elizabeth?" "I'm scared. We're lost. We're not going to find our way out of here." .... . We stepped outside the door where the buses will drop off/pick up. No one was out there.... so I sat down on the concrete and had her come sit on top of me. I just held her and hugged her and we sat in silence for a minute. She was done. She was ready to go home. I told her we weren't going to leave before I showed her how to get to her class. After a few minutes she calmed down. I told her all about what was going to go on out there Monday, and how she was going to look for the big blue door. And then "Look at that! That is one long hallway, isn't it." It's not scary. It's just long. "Let's step on the squares". So the two of us proceed down the long ass hallway only stepping on certain squares. It was cute... but it got us to the end with no tears. Half way I stopped and had her turn around and see how far we'd come... and showed her ahead. The wall was RED and GREEN and she needed to go left which was RED. That brought us to the cafeteria. She'll have to walk all the way across the cafeteria and go though the GREEN door. Down that hallway is her classroom. We walked the whole way. Then I showed her where the girl's restroom was. We went in there so she'd know where it was and what it was like. And then we left.

Between you and me - I'm not all that excited about her class. She only knows one person in there, Braden. The few kids I did see seemed SO MUCH taller than Elizabeth. Poor girl only just turned 5 last week. You've got some Kindergartners who will be 6 in a few weeks. Also, I peaked in other rooms and they seemed "cooler" than E's. But the teacher seemed nice and there were a few things I saw in there that I liked. So I'm hopeful. Really really hopeful. Plus, it looks as if she'll be able to play with her friends at recess, so that's nice. I can't tell you how much I want this to be a good experience for her. Poor kid spent the whole entire summer with not many friends in Summer Camp. We had this whole issue where she was only wanting to play with the teacher and not her friends. Or, she kept standing over at the fence wanting to hold her sister's hand, who was in the toddler playground ( so cute, yet... you know, so sad too. ) . Ugh! Stress.

Oh, and on another note - Caroline got her graduation note yesterday. She's transitioning from the toddler room to Pre-2! Caroline is so funny. "I go Pre-2, Mommy!" After Pre-2 is Pre-3 and then Pre-K! Wow! So BOTH of my girls will have their First Day of School on Monday!