Isabelle and Oliver love, love, love their new daycare. It has by far exceeded our expectations, which were lofty to begin with. We've been trying to get both of them here since last summer and finally got the word that they were both ready for enrollment. This place has it all, regular visits from a music teacher, an art teacher, a singing coach, and a curriculum filled with enjoyment and exploration, plus regular field trips to hammer those learnings home with practical knowledge. The food is all organic, in fact Isabelle on her 3rd day ate quinoa soup, a food she wouldn't even look at if she were at our dinner table. We are lucky to have them in a great place with energetic, dedicated and motivated teachers that do all they can to make the place special for the kids.
On their first day, they loaded into the car as full of angst as their parents were, wondering what awaited them. Oliver, who you would expect to be the most nervous of the bunch, happily marched to his new cubby, saw his new teacher Miss Jen (who he absolutely LOVES and continues to do so weeks later) and started playing in his classroom. Not a tear was shed as he waved goodbye to Isabelle and Daddy. Who said transitions would be difficult? He repeated this performance the next day but the tears finally started flowing on day 3. By now, he has things well in hand and is sleeping and eating well every day, especially with his new Thomas blanket, a necessary purchase after he coveted his neighbour's so much! Oliver's room sends us all an email on Friday afternoons recapping all that they have done that week. It's amazing. They make regular trips to the splash pad, work on projects in the yard, take the bus to the library, and learn all about things like construction and beavers (just 2 of many in-depth topics undertaken). We have seen him grow so much in just a few short weeks here. He is loving it and it shows.
Isabelle, ever the actress, had a little more trouble on her first day. She is old enough to know that first days can be difficult, and certainly played the part as she arrived in the school age room that morning. She cried and clung to her dad and had to be convinced to give the day a shot. It didn't help that she wasn't feeling well either, in fact she came home early with a fever after she seemed so tired during lunch that the teachers set up a cot for her in the corner of the room. She was also getting used to some of the differences from her previous daycare experience. "Hey, Mom, did you know at lunch, you have to get it yourself!?" Apparently she felt she was going to be served for her entire life. "Mom, we had to walk ALL THE WAY to the splash pad!". Walking is not always her favourite activity. After a day or two, she got right into the swing of things and is now one of the centre's biggest fans, just ask her. She looks forward to going and has a great rapport with Miss Joanne, Miss Amanda and Miss Elizabeth, her teachers, plus she has made some new friends that she will be going to big kid's school with this fall. Last week, she went on a city bus field trip to the Art Gallery and Parliament, plus she got to use a sewing machine to make her own beach bag. The learnings are coming fast and furious, sometimes she has so much to tell us she doesn't stop talking the whole way home. She is really in her element here and we are so proud to see her shine. Well done Acorn, two happy kids that are excited to go every day, plus two parents that are thrilled to have them in your care. Great job!
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