Little Hugger

I had some other photos planned for posting today, but then I captured this little gem on camera last night and its cuteness far surpassed anything else. :)

The Little Hugger

Caiden's First Day of School

We've created a new motto, posted on our masthead here at the Batavia Duchette. It's your news, delivered better late than never. :) So then, on with last month's highlight. :)

Caiden started preschool on September 8th! He is in the 3 year old morning class at Batavia Nursery School at the Congregational Church. He goes each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11am. We often walk to and from school on the nice days which I LOVE! He is in one of the smaller classes with 9 other kids. His teacher's name is Mrs. Stuttle. After the first week or so, he seemed to really settle in to the routine, and I think he likes going to school. They are learning about letters and numbers, learning how to recognize their first and last names, about the seasons, how to use scissors (which I think he learned how to use those at The Nest) and cut on lines, singing songs and rhymes. They have snacks each day, and I signed up to bring in Easter treats next year. (I was too late to sign up for Christmas or Halloween!)

Caiden talks most often about playing with the (construction) site trucks and snack time. Sometimes he tells me about playing with the other boys and/or girls. I don't think he's made a "best friend" yet, but there is still plenty of time for that. Our neighbor is also in his school, but enrolled in a different class. Maybe they'll be in the same class next year!

So far, I really like his teacher. I got to meet her during the orientation, and she seems great! Her classroom is decorated very cute, and I loved getting the chance to spend a little time in it during the orientation. I had a few emotional moments looking around his classroom and thinking back on the few memories I have of my own days in preschool. I wasn't at all sad, just amazed that now my own child is going to school.

Each morning I walk Caiden close to the front door and then turn him loose to head down the stairs and into the classroom on his own. After school the policy is for the teacher to release the child physically to whomever is picking him or her up. So the kids are all lined up behind the teacher, and they call out the child's name for pick up. It's such a wonderful feeling to see Caiden's eyes light up when he sees me and have him run up to me and give me a huge hug!! It's my favorite part of the day. :)

I look forward to seeing him continue to learn and enjoy school. So many families send their kids to this school, so we know it is a good one! :)

First Day of School on Our Front Steps

Mrs. Stuttle's Classroom

 

Huge HUGE Milestone for Caiden

Today is a VERY exciting day in our household. Caiden has successfully started potty training! I will confess, I really wanted to give up on it this morning because it just didn't seem to be going well. But I'm glad we didn't quit, because Caiden wound up using the potty FOUR times today! I knew to expect accidents and that it's going to be a "process," but I'm not the most patient person, so it was a hard morning for me too. I'm just so done changing his dirty diapers, plus he starts preschool next week so both of those were excellent motivation to get moving.

We started the day with underwear and no pants. Caiden wasn't too thrilled with that idea at first, but he eventually got over it. We were asking him if he had to go potty every few minutes, but he still wound up running to the potty AFTER he already went in his underwear. This happened twice, and after the second time I told him no more underwear - he'd have to go naked from the waist down. He really didn't like that idea either, but he also got over it pretty quickly. He had two or three more small accidents, but then suddenly, he got the hang of it! No more accidents the rest of the day. He had a diaper on for his nap, but he woke up dry and used the potty pretty soon after. He got rewarded with a piece of candy each time, and we danced in celebration. :)

We'll do the same thing again tomorrow, and then try the underwear again on Saturday. Fingers crossed that he keeps up the good work!!!!!