(pre) School days

B is growing up!  So. fast.  We decided that B needed some other interaction, other than sporadic library storytime/craft and play dates sprinkled throughout each month.  So we enrolled him in a Montessori school, where they have a fantastic toddler (2-3 year old) program; we opted for the two-days a week, instead of the 3-days.  He goes Mon and Tues every week for a whole school year for 3 hours each day.  The program teachers handle the transition for these little students so flawlessly that there was never a worry that Brendan wouldn't handle it well, even though it was new, strange, and a little scary to have mom leaving.  I sat in the classroom in the corner for the first 2 days, but wasn't allowed to interact with him (not that he even tried to interact with me), and on the 3rd day, this past Tuesday, I left.  I didn't have to leave the building though, I got to watch his session (they don't start with the full 3 hours right away) in the little observation room where there is a two-way mirror!  He didn't even know I was gone.  I thought I'd be hurt, but I was very proud of my little guy.  He has a very bashful, observer, internalizer personality, but that didn't show one bit!

His favorite "work" (they call what the kids do work) is playing with this realistic baby doll.  He gives it a real bath with actual soap and water, then dries it off, and puts the baby's clothes on.  Once that is all done, he puts the baby in her cradle, covers her up, and then rocks her to sleep, the whole time singing "Rock A Bye Baby".  The first time I saw him do this, I cried.  What a compassionate sweetheart.  I'm hoping that this bodes well for when baby #2 arrives.  He behaves so well at school (knock on wood), which is great, but I wish some of that carried over to how he behaves at home!

Brendan loves school at this point in time and does nothing, but talk about it!  I can't wait until he goes to the 3-6 year old room, which is more like a pre-school environment or is enrolled in the district pre-school; I really think he'll enjoy it.