Adios Daycare!

We have come to the end of the daycare phase of P's life. When we started at the infant daycare, she was only four months old (I can't believe that!) and Anne was her daycare provider. When she turned one, she graduated to the older daycare, and luckily the woman who was referred to us was Anne's own daughter, Donna. We were lucky to be able to get into Donna's daycare but with Anne advocating for us, how could Donna argue with her mother?

So, we started that daycare back in May 2011 and her last day there was this past June 12, two years later. While we had mixed feelings leaving Donna's daycare and moving on to preschool, we knew P was ready, emotionally and physically ready. Donna's place only had 6 kids total, so it was small and intimate plus all the moms and dads know each other, and the kids were all really close. But, P was ready to move on, learn new things, and meet more kids her own age and older.

My heart was really heavy as we approached this day. More of the things that we can control within her realm are slipping away, more of the innocence and all that goes with being a little sheltered will be gone. But, we knew from the very beginning we wanted to put her at the United Methodist Children's Center in SLO. We had heard very good things about the school from many friends. Donna's own children went there and many of her former clients as well. When I originally visited the school and put her on the waiting list, P was only 1 and half. When I saw all those kids, saw how busy it was, I just couldn't fathom my little baby going to preschool. When I revisited the school with RT last December, I looked at the school with different eyes. It didn't seem so busy, so overwhelming. It seemed like it would be a good fit. There was lots of outdoor play, arts and crafts, natural elements around the school, and we started to know some of the older kids moving on that would be at the school.

We tried not to make a big deal out of leaving Donna's. We did tell P that she was leaving and starting preschool. She seemed to understand that but didn't seem too concerned. I decided that I should have a little "party" for her on her last day. We had the most wonderful experience at Donna's. She was so loving, nurturing, patient, and completely trust-worthy. We will miss her greatly!

First day at Donna's at 13 mos. old. She was the lowest kid on that totem pole.

Fast forward 2 years later; she ruled the roost!

Owen was the junior king and her partner in crime.

Jakob was like P's bro, she looked after him; Eve "Owen's baby sister"

Ella, the next reigning queen.

And Asher, in a class all his own!

There's our girl with a goose egg on her forehead.

The noisemakers were a hit!

Donna and P's last day together.

Donna's parting gifts to P.