Samantha and Amelia officially started their first day of separate classes for fall preschool the week after Labor Day. They had a week break between summer and fall, so when we returned, we kind of started all over again as far as separation anxiety at drop off. The twins were screaming and clinging to my legs, but, as per the usual, by the time I made it to my car, they were all smiles as they waved goodbye from the gate. Every week got progressively easier and now the girls don’t even come to the gate to wave goodbye when I drive out of the parking lot… tear!
First day of fall preschool! The school requires uniforms during the normal school year and I wasn’t sure how uniforms were going to go, but the girls actually love having special “school clothes.” I’m loving that it makes deciding what to wear so much easier. I edited their school name out so it didn’t show up online, but the embroidery is super cute!
The fall marked the first time the girls would be separated into their own classes. I was nervous, but decided separating them now would make it easier than later on. The other factor was that I wanted the girls to be treated as individuals instead of a unit, and being in separate classes would make this so much easier for them to blossom and for the teachers to get to know them. I figured the alone time would be good for them, too, since they are together 24/7!
They play together on the playground at recess before and after the morning session, so the girls still get to see each other before going to their separate classes. The first day, Samantha had a hard time and kept asking Miss Holly where Amelia was. She was upset a few times the first week, but once the teachers showed her that she could look over the little half wall that divided their classrooms and see Amelia anytime she wanted, she was happy. Amelia was pretty much fine from day one! The teachers tell me they like to peek over the wall at each other, wave, and then go back to their stuff. Melts my heart! I am so happy they have each other at school to have each other’s backs and comfort one another.
When we go home for lunch, the twins usually gab on and on to each other about what they did in class, which kids they played with, what the snack was, and which kids were “naughty” and had to be moved to different tables! It’s hilarious hearing their conversations and it’s been nice that they have a sense of ownership over their classes. I’ve really seen their individual personalities blossom so much the past month.
Their favorite thing to do is talk about what they teacher said in class and they are always comparing… and sometimes making things up.
Amelia: “MY teacher says to keep your hands to yourself.”
Samantha: “Well, MY teacher says I DON’T have to keep my hands to myself!”
Their conversations are priceless.
Back to School Night was a fun opportunity to talk with their teachers and see their classrooms more in depth. Samantha and Amelia were excited to show us the crafts they had been working on and the pictures posted of them around the classroom.
Samantha won an award in Miss Holly’s class for being a “Good Circle Time Citizen” (not sure what that is, but she was proud!) and Miss Becky told me how surprised she was when Amelia was able to guess the ending of a book they were reading in class. When she asked how she knew, Amelia told her it was because she had made an educated guess based on the book’s cover. I guess all those pre-reading skills I used to teach the junior high kids have been trickling down?
Their favorite parts of preschool are the crafts (obviously) and snack time. Samantha especially loves her class because one of the teachers sings and plays the guitar, and she always tells me what they sang that day, her favorites being Yankee Doodle and My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean. They always eagerly inform me at pickup what they ate for snack, who the Helper of the Day was, and whether they had any projects in their cubbies to take home. Both were really excited to be the Helper of the Day for the first time and be in charge of bringing the snacks (they opted for yogurt parfaits their first go around), and bringing their Share Item. The girls picked one of their Shutterfly baby picture books and told their class all about how “Sammy was born first and Amelia was sitting on top of her!”
The only issue with the Helper of the Day was that Amelia was scheduled a week before Samantha, and Samantha threw a complete fit all day long about not being the Helper that day. She understandably had no concept of scheduling, and how long a week later for her turn would be, but I guess it’s better they learn early on that they’re not always going to do everything together! Samantha was overjoyed when her day finally came and was beaming from ear to ear at school.
While Samantha and Amelia are emotional with the transition at dropoff, Meredith absolutely loves dropoff and pickup time. All the kids rush over to her to say hi and we’re usually detained 10 or 15 minutes while the teachers take turns talking to her. She eats it up! Two of the teachers have told me that Meredith makes their day every time they see her– she is so cheery and bright! Meredith is frightfully bored with me at home the three mornings a week the girls are at preschool and can’t wait to pick them up.
A few weeks ago, I volunteered in Amelia’s class to help Miss Becky out with a few class projects. I assisted the kids with some finger painting for a class plate they were making and we painted paper plate Frankenstein monsters. Amelia looked surprised when she saw me, but interestingly, wasn’t clingy and pretty much ignored me the whole time, until it was her turn to come to the projects with me. When I peeked over at Sammy in the other class, she was quiet and very reserved in class, just like Amelia. They were COMPLETELY different in class than the loud, crazy tornadoes they are at home.
It was so fun seeing what she does in class and meeting the other kids– they are adorable and I had fun working with them! We sang some Halloween themed songs and Miss Becky taught the kids about the life cycle of the pumpkin in addition to their normal routine and our art projects– a fun day!
Since Samantha and Amelia’s classes are separated by a little half wall, I kept peeking over to see what Samantha was up to in her class. I thought for sure she would see or hear my voice, but she didn’t realize I was in Amelia’s class until she saw me come out at recess. It was tantrum central and nonstop tears for the rest of the day.
Amelia didn’t rub it in too much. Although I tried explaining I would come into Samantha’s class another day soon, she was cantankerous throughout the day at home.”I WANT YOU TO COME TO MY CLASS!!!!!” #twinlife.
Lots of love,
