My little preschooler!

Olivia started at a preschool in May! It’s been great so far- every day she comes home super happy, covered in paint and with lots of sand in her shoes! She cried during the first few weeks when I would drop her off, then we had several weeks where she was happy to go, but this past week she started crying again at drop off (I think it is having all her toys and books finally here and wanting to stay home to play).

Lots of paint!

Her classroom

The daily log that they provide to parents

Her preschool is walking distance from our house, which is super convenient! At first she didn't want to walk and would eventually need to be carried, but now she's used to it and she knows the route to preschool. She always pauses at the houses that normally have dogs or cats for her to say hello to (like the neighbor's big dog below who always quietly sits and watches from the door).

Her two teachers Angie and Gianny are super nice and friendly (never mind that I thought their names were Andie and Dani for the first month....). All the teachers at the school are very enthusiastic, and she gets greeted with a boisterous “HOLA OLI!!!” every morning and cheerful “HASTA MAÑANA OLI” in the afternoon. Yes, they call her Oli at school (easier for the other 2 and 3 years olds to say her name, I suppose!).

Olivia and her Teacher Angie

Teacher Angie bringing out her and her classmate Fagu (?)

Teacher Gianny (the assistant for her classroom) bringing out Olivia

I love that they do lots of arts and crafts projects, especially since I have been reluctant to introduce paint and other messy activities at home! Here are a few samples of her work she’s brought home, as well as photos from their recent Art Expo!

Her very first art project she brought home

Mother's Day art project (that they laminated for us!)

Art Expo!

Can you see Olivia's little worm?

They also have “cooking class” and lots of birthday parties on Fridays. Olivia’s brought home a few fun treats- most recently she made a chocolate banana pop and she was thrilled!

Speaking of birthday parties, there have been lots of birthdays so far at preschool. In her short time in school, there have been 5 birthday parties already, so I have started to stock up on gifts. I have also been surprised by the favor bags that she brings home- she's already gotten a stuffed Peppa Pig, a jumprope, a Disney Prince Nail Polish kit, and a mermaid doll, as well as lots of cupcakes and candy.

Fancy homemade invitations

She was so excited to get a Peppa Pig as a party favor!

Her preschool has a great little playground so Olivia gets a bit of outdoor time every day, whereas if she was at home with me, I think it would be mostly inside play because we don’t have any outdoor toys!

Can you find Olivia?

I am really hoping that she is picking up some Spanish. I have heard the teachers sometimes say “How are you?” and other English phrases to the kids, but I’m hoping and assuming that they mostly speak Spanish. Olivia has said a few words she’s picked up at school without any prompting- she loves to point at small things and say “Chiquitito!!!” 

The downside so far to preschool has been that Olivia has been sick almost weekly. She had a sore throat and cough one week, we picked up a second round of Hand Foot Mouth, she had a fever and vomiting another week...but hopefully she's building up her immune system!