Two weeks of school under our belts...

and Esther seems to love it. I wasn't sure if she would want me to leave the first day of the regular schedule, but when I checked with her about me leaving, she kissed me and got right into playing. I walked to my car feeling a little sad...hoping that she would have wanted me to stay just a tiny bit. But I've quickly gotten used to my free two and a half hours twice a week. Wow, I can actually go thrift shopping again!! It's much easier without my sidekick and I don't have to spend any time in the toy section. I have to admit I'm enjoying myself. And she takes long naps after preschool because she so worn out (hooray!).
On Thursdays, I am there at the school with 6 other parents. I've really been enjoying this time as well. The kids are hilarious and it's been nice getting to know the other parents. Teacher Kathy is awesome and so great with all the kids. Come to find out she has two adopted daughters from China that are just starting college.
After school treat from McDonald's. Happy Meal box as hat.

E decided she wanted to wear her Yoda costume from a few years back. I wanted to get a picture of her holding her drawing she did at school and for some reason she put on a sad face. (Maybe she's fed up with me taking pictures?)

She wanted to check out her ears in the mirror and gave the sad face again.

I asked her to do a happy face.

...then a mad face.

Last weekend the preschool had an ice cream social. And they had "smarshsmellows" for on top! (I know the picture doesn't go with what I just typed but I like the picture...so there.)

Esther's favorite thing was getting to use the apple slicer/corer/peeler again...and again...and again. Teacher Kathy was very patient with her and let her have lots of turns. All the apples E (and the other kids) cut were put in the apple cider press. Yum!

So glad the preschool has lots of extra clothes, cuz Esther got drenched with water at one point. Ask Gene.

Again with the Yoda hat. This is a new favorite item (along with the train tracks I found on one of my thrift shop expeditions).

First day of preschool!!

Esther fell asleep last night at 9:15 pm (which is huge!) mainly due to the fact that E is transitioning out of naps (weep). But I had to wake her up this morning at 8 am to get ready for preschool and she wasn't happy with me. Luckily Daddy was there to save the day and used his expert distraction techniques to get her up and dressed. The rest of the morning went very smoothly and Mommy's adjusting just fine. Here's her first day of preschool outfit. She picked her shirt...I wanted her to wear a pink one but she would have none of it.
For snack today, Esther got to use an apple peeler that cut the apple into a spiral. She thought that was pretty cool, and got to turn the crank all by herself.

How cool is getting to haul around dirt in a wheel barrow? E thought it was very exciting.

I love the fact that the preschool has an old merry-go-round (that can send kids flying off the edges). I loved those when I was a kid. Of course, it never got going very fast.

Making mud on top of the "mountain".

The other night, before bed, Esther wanted to wear her pink pajamas. But she doesn't have any pink ones, so we didn't know what she was talking about. She was very insistent and finally she showed us this outfit in her closet. These Chinese PJ's were given to E by a friend of her Nana M's when we first got back from China and now they fit! I love that she wanted to wear them. On a side note, I have been showing Esther some of the things we bought in China and now when Esther plays she'll hands us things and says, "Here you go, I got this for you in China."

I asked her to smile for the camera and this is what I got.

Photo by E.