1st Day of School

Laik entered the world of "school" today.  And like every mother before me, I am sad, but very happy.  Todd and I toured the Siskin Children's Institute the Monday prior to Thanksgiving.  We agreed that it was the perfect place for Laik to be.  Luckily, a spot was available for us to attend two days a week.  (and we found out, we will get a third day beginning in January)  Just yesterday on November 30, we had our meeting with the TEIS team and the Siskin team to set new goals for Laik while attending the Institute.  And today, December 1, 2011 was Laik's official first day!  What a way to begin such a special holiday month.  We have so much to celebrate this holiday season!  The journey is just starting...

After several stops and an intense search for an "art smock" I was finished with the "Supply List" for his class.  We labeled all our goods, double checked that we had everything, and packed the bag.  Oh, and chose the "first day" clothes, and we were ready to go.

Laik was up at 6:30 am this morning, it was as if he knew he had to get up early today.

We arrive, yes, all three of us, and enter the butterfly gate to the main entrance! Siskin has such a beautiful area for the children to play.  (Weather permitting, the children go out twice a day.) 

 Daddy and Laik are at it again, the big first day is an event to be documented.

Down the hall and checking everything out!  And there is plenty to see.  

Here is his classroom door.  I did get teary eyed when I saw the ornament (purple) with Laik's name!

In the classroom, meeting Laik's new friends!

Ms. Amber, Laik's teacher.  How long will it be before he has her wrapped around his little finger, too??

The classroom view, Ms. Mary, our classroom Foster Grandmother, is in the rocker waiting on her babies to arrive for the day!  

A view from the other side of the room.  (Look at "security" checking out the new friends and teacher!)

Friends playing and making the "new kid" feel welcome.

Is that an Alligator Xylophone??  Oh, Laik is going to be just fine....possibly his favorite toy!

The two of us having our "serious" conversation about the day ahead!  ;o)

And then, I left.....I made it to the parking lot exit before the waterworks turned on!  I just left my baby with complete strangers!  The feeling I had when I left him in the NICU was just the same....he is supposed to be with me!  But then I returned at 3 pm and found this precious boy in the swing!

He was smiling and laughing, all the while with his hair blowing in the wind!  And in different clothes....he introduced Ms. Chris to some of his "fountain" potty skills during a diaper change!

Laik and Ms. Chris.  Looks like he might be trying to swoon her with an apology about the diaper.

And then, it was time to go back inside.  This might have been my favorite thing to see!  He and his friends look like they were at an amusement park on a ride.  Their "ByeBye Buggy" was the cutest site to see!  I am unable to share all of my pictures, out of respect for other families, but it was so dang cute!

Look at them!  He does look like the big boy on the top row!!!

Back in the car and headed home to tell Daddy all about the great day!

Overall, two big claps....which in Laik's world means.....I LIKE IT!!!  GIVE ME MORE AND DO IT AGAIN!

His daily report included, THE diaper event, a breakfast of cornflakes with milk, a lunch with tacos and black beans, a  nap of 3 hours (not unusual for the new kid adjusting to the schedule), PT and meeting 10 new friends!  

We are going to like this....we go back next Tuesday!