Preschool completion party

Both Eliza and Zabien had a great year at preschool. 

aren't they the cutest

Eliza really blossomed this year.  She has really improved with writing her name.  She can recognize both lower case and capital letters.  She can count to 50 by herself, knows how to count to 10 in Spanish, and several other words.  Her confidence level really boomed.  She came out of her shell, and is more willing to talk to other people and ask them questions.  She is also more well rounded socially.  Before this year, she mostly stayed to herself and her family, and had a difficult time talking and playing with other children besides Zabien.  Now, she will willingly play with other children and carry on conversations and imaginative play with them.  I really like her teacher Mrs. Reim.  I think she does a great job running this preschool program with the kids.  She cares about each child, and helps them feel not only important, but helps them feel safe in taking risks in order to improve their skills.   Eliza and Zabien "play school" all the time and hold their own story times in which Eliza always wants to be Mrs. Reim. 

Eliza with Mrs. Reim and her completion certificate. 

Zabien joined Eliza's preschool class mid-year.  I'm so glad they had an open spot for him.  Not only was it nice to have a little break from 2 children, I think it helped Zabien to feel comfortable going to preschool.  I think this will help him next year when he has to go alone.  He knows what it is like and what to expect - it was nice for his big sister to show him the ropes.  Zabien also changed and improved a lot.  His vocabulary and pronunciation of words went through the roof.  He has always been one to talk (on his terms of course), but among all his rambling, I was probably one of the only ones that could understand what he said.  Now, he speaks a lot more clearly, and is recognizing more of his letters and the sounds they make.  He puts story sequences together impressively well.  He likes to open books and "read" them.  He even uses transition words and phrases to connect his ideas together.  I'm just really impressed.  I work with him some at home, but having someone else work with him too has solidified it in his mind.  He also has matured socially - interacting with kids twice his age with no problems. 

My cute little boy with Mrs. Reim and his completion certificate. 

Hazel even loved the kids preschool every time she visited the classroom. 

She really wants to be a part of everything the other two do.  I guess she thought she would follow suit and obtain a certificate too.

Popsicles and fudge bars at the picnic - I really should not have let Hazel wear a white shirt and eat a fudge pop. 

The kids with their big kid buddy Brenna.  They both loved her.  They talked about her all the time, and even included her in their imaginative play.  I can't tell you how many times I had to be Brenna when they were playing school. 

I know that Eliza will miss Mrs. Reim when school starts in the fall.  I think she is excited for kindergarten and the new adventure that will be, but I know that she is sad to be leaving Mrs. Reim and her class.  She desperately wanted to go to preschool one more year, and although she is completely ready for kindergarten, I really think it all had to do with the fact that she loves Mrs. Reim.