Preschool!

Evie, ready to go on Day 1.

Evie and Gavin have started preschool! As many of you know, the twins were getting different therapies through the Early Intervention program, in which the therapists come to the home. That program ends at age 3, and if the kids still need therapy, they get it through the school district.

The twins were evaluated and ended up qualified to go to our public preschool 5 mornings a week, for 2.5 hours each day. They will be in a classroom with other kids their age and will have therapy in the classroom as they do activities with their peers. Evie will also have some one-on-one time with her therapists since she is farther behind than Gavin.

The school hired a nurse just for Evie! This has made us feel more comfortable (and Evie's cardiologist also). The nurse will get her from my car, bring her to class, monitor her the whole time she is there, and bring her back to the car when class is over. She will adjust Evie's oxygen if necessary, and just keep an eye on her.

The school has a drop-off carpool system, where the parents don't bring the kids into the school. The teachers and assistants come out to get the kids and walk them inside. I get to park in the handicapped spot and avoid the wait, which is nice.

So, it is a big adjustment and the twins are not quite used to it yet! Here is a brief summary of the first few days:

Day 1: No tears at drop-off! Gavin even turned around and waved at me. Afterward, I learned that they both cried in their classrooms, Gavin more than Evie. When I picked them up and asked how their day was, Gavin said "Gavin cry again, again, again, again."

Day 2: On the way to school, Gavin said, "Gavin stay in van." Tears from both when I pulled into the parking spot. Now they know what's happening! Gavin's teacher carried him into the building, but told me later that he only cried for 25 minutes - an improvement! Gavin told me that he cried "again, again, again, again." He also told me that he heard a story about a chipmunk. His teacher told me that he played with cars and shared them with kids that he wanted to play with.

Day 3: Getting ready in the morning, Gavin said, "Gavin stay in jammies. Gavin stay at home." On the way there, he kept saying "go home." Evie whimpered a little when I unbuckled her. Gavin had lots of tears and had to be carried in again. He cried for about 10 minutes less than yesteday.

Gavin enjoyed story time with the speech therapist and also rode a red tricycle. Evie played Barnyard Bingo at a table with 3 other kids, and enjoyed a Halloween song where the kids yelled "Boo!" This was the best day so far. The teachers each sent some photos home today, which I LOVE. It's nice to see the kids in class, playing with their peers. The kids also keep a notebook in their backpacks, and the teachers and I write notes back and forth.

When they get a bit more settled in, Francis and I will go and observe them. All the classrooms have one-way glass for just this purpose. And when they are totally comfortable, I can volunteer in their classrooms. And the best part is... because the twins qualify for school based on developmental needs - it's completely FREE!