Chase goes to Preschool!

 My sweet Chaser started preschool this week! As I tried to figure out the right thing to do with preschool a lot of different factors came to my mind: was I ready to send him? Could we really afford it? Would he love it? The answer to the last one is definitely YES. He loves other kids and loves being around them. Academically he is already way ahead of where he needs to be. So while I didn't think he really "needed" preschool academically, I did feel like he would thrive with the social interaction. Ultimately I think we came up with the best option for us right now- a neighborhood co-op preschool. I got several moms together (all of whom are wonderful) and came up with a basic curriculum for the kids to learn. We are switching off months teaching. I'm excited to be able to be part of his preschool experience and this way is easier on our budget.

 Chase was so excited to start his "little school". We let him pick out a backpack a few weeks ago and as soon as he saw this Transformers one he had to have it. Preschool is on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:00 am, and let me tell you- getting all the way to 9:30 is a long wait for all involved. Chase is ready to go at 8:00.

 Chase loves the kids in his class and loves being there. He's not so much into learning to write the letters, which doesn't surprise me at all. He's never really been that into coloring or writing, but he's so smart I'm sure he'll figure it out when he's ready. He loves story time and playing time! My friend Jodi is teaching this month- the friend he's always telling me he wants me to just "drop him off" to (she babysits for me all the time), so it was an easy transition for him.

 He comes home just delighted and will tell me all about what they did and learned, eagerly emptying his backpack to show me his work. Then if anyone else (Dad, Nana, Papa, etc.) asks him later that day how preschool was he responds with, "It was good. And I don't want to talk about it."

Preschool also means I get three hours a week alone with Hudson! This baby is still just winning my heart over again every single day and I enjoy a little time to just dote on him. He has a hard time when we drive away without Chase, but quickly gets over it when he realizes how fun it is to have mom and dad to yourself! Here are pictures of him playing in the front yard- where we spend hours every single day. Hudson is hard to share with these days- always wanting exactly what Chase has- so I think we'll enjoy this time of peace since he won't have to share.

*Earlier this week, right after being released from time-out, Chase ran over and promptly pulled the basketball out of Hudson's hands and made a basket. As I was hauling him back to time-out and talking to him about why that was wrong he replied with, "Mom! I was just teaching Hudson to share!"