First Hair Cut 1-11-14

Until this past Saturday the 11th of January 2014 Jillian had never had a hair cut.  A section in the back was getting very long and tangling very easily.  Plus her hair was at all different lengths as it has grown out.  So we decided it was time to get her hair cut.

I tried to prepare her for what was going to happen.  I know getting a hair cut isn't a big deal..but to a 3 year old anything new is a huge deal especially when you are letting someone else do it.  She had her days she was asking if we are going to do that today or she would say she didn't want her hair cut and wasn't going to do it. 

I recruited Aunt Susie for backup.  We met for breakfast and then headed over for the hair appointment.  On the drive from breakfast to the hair shop Jillian was most concerned with what color the booster seat she was going to sit on would be.

Once we arrived she seemed pretty unsure about the whole idea.  I asked if she wanted to go first or mommy.  She wanted me to of course,  I went ahead and had my hair trimmed up first to show her that it doesn't hurt and also because my hair needed trimmed.  After I was done it was her turn.

I went to get her for her turn and she wasn't too sure still about coming over to the chair.  I said lets go see what the booster seat looks like.  Yes this got her to willingly come over to the chair. (the booster seat was an wooden coke box with a padded seat on top)  I picked her up and at first she was looking to get down.  Then Vickie pulls our her fun purple kids cape.  She let her put that around her and sat still like a big girl. 

Just getting started

Aunt Susie and I were surprised and impressed by how well Jillian did.  She sat there with a big smile the whole time.  She listened well when she was told to look down and sat very still. Turns out the princess likes being pampered :).

Before and After

Mom's Party @ Preschool

The invitation she made for me in class

Inside the invite - I think we need to work on that signature a bit ;)

Today was the "Mom's Party" at Preschool.  Almost all the kiddos had a mom or grandma present.  We started the party off with donuts, yum!  Then we had 3 different Christmas crafts to make.  Following craft time we got to join them in the gym for the Minds In Motion class.  Lots of running, dancing, and then an obstacle course for the kiddos. 

Making Christmas Crafts
After the Minds in Motion class Jillian asked if I was coming back to her classroom.  I had to tell her that I was going back to work and she was going back to class.  To which she just gave me a hug and kiss and happily went and lined up with her class.

Her "Snow Globe"

Papa displaying the finished Christmas Crafts

Doing the "rolly polly" in "minds in motion class"

French Toast with Fathers 10-3-13

Thursday Jillian's preschool had  "French toast with Fathers" breakfast.  It was the "Ff" week at preschool after all.  Rick reported that all the kiddos appeared to have dads to come to this event :).  They started in the classroom with the kiddos and had french toast for breakfast.  Then they got to join the kids in the gym for the "Minds in Motion" part of the day.  They even had the dads participating in the gym class bouncing balls with them, stomping like dinosaurs and walking backwards. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures since this was just a daddy and Jillian activity.

After the gym class it was time for the dads to leave.  Jillian reported to me that she was sad when daddy left (the barely keeping from crying when re telling the story..).  By the time I picked her up she was just fine.  She really enjoyed spending time with daddy at her Preschool.

Now it is fall break so no Preschool for Jillian for the next two weeks.  I hope starting back up goes smoothly!

If you look in the back you can see Jillian and her daddy

Preschool Week 3

8-27-13 - Daddy took Jillian out for breakfast before Preschool

TUESDAY 8-27-13

It has been several days now since preschool since it is only on Tuesday's & Thursday's.  She was a little unsure about going back today.  She was asking to stay at home and play with daddy instead.  Despite her slight hesitation this morning she walked in happily with no tears!

Jillian's drawing of herself.
This is hanging up outside her classroom.

THURSDAY 8-29-13

Daddy reports that she walked happily into her class room.  One of the teachers asked how she was doing.  He told them she was doing great.  The teacher told him that she has been doing great ever since she got over "being left" there the first day.

When mommy picked her up she was very happy girl.  Just very thirsty!  I didn't have a drink in the car for her.  Guess mommy better remember to bring a drink along for her.

I asked what she did at school and she told me she didn't know.  Then I asked if she played in the gym and she said yes.  I asked if she played in the sand and she again said yes.  So she clearly knows what she did, but apparently didn't really feel like telling me about it.

Jillian's book bag hang out.
She doesn't have to take her Minnie one, but she won't hear of leaving it at home!

Preschool - Week 2

8-20-13 (day 2)

Jillian was excited and ready to go back to her Preschool today.  So glad she has taken to this so quickly and likes it!  I cannot imagine getting her to go if she didn't like it.  Daddy said she was good to go again until it was time for her to go in the classroom and for him to leave.  She told daddy "I'm a little scared." and started to cry a bit.  Since we didn't get any calls she apparently didn't make too much of a fuss.

She did tell me that she didn't go to play in the music room today.  Instead they went to the gym area and played in some sand.  That is about all the details I got out of her for her morning.  She did bring home a picture that she tells us is of a person.  It is a couple circles and squares glued to a piece of paper.  Abstract art is her thing ;).  Yes I know she is only 3!  She did also tell me that she learned something, but wasn't real specific on those details.

Enjoying licking the icing spoon 

8-22-13 (day 3)

Daddy just reported that Jillian went into her classroom willing with NO tears!  I have been so impressed with how quickly she has adjusted and really seems to like going to Preschool.

We drove by yesterday and she was sure to point out that we were going past HER preschool! :)

Mommy got to pick Jillian up today.  Found her sitting patiently waiting with her class just inside the school doors.  She of course had to pull out her art for the day to show me :).  Also she reported "I didn't cry today!"  We are so proud of our big girl.

They must have talked about dental care today.  Jillian was telling me that when you teeth get really dirty the dentist has to clean them.  Also that eating dinner will make your teeth dirty.  She has been to the dentist once with me and wouldn't allow them to clean her teeth.  We are going to try again the next time I go in.

Preschool Week 1

Tuesday August 13th was Jillian's preschool orientation day.  We took her in to meet her teachers and check her classroom.  The first 30 minutes the parents stayed in the classroom with the kiddos.  Then the second half hour (really like 50 minutes) the parents had a meeting and the kids stayed in class with the teachers.

Jillian of course had some separation anxiety as we all know she would.  She did calm down after 10-15 minutes and by the time we returned she was happily playing in her classroom with no visible evidence of crying. We were really impressed as she has only ever stayed with close friends and family.

(08-15-13) Music time day 1 of preschool

Thursday was her first official day of preschool.  Daddy has the job of taking her in for her class.  She was happy and excited about going back.  Daddy said she happily walked into the building and to her classroom.  He helped her hang up her bag and use the special toddler size restrooms.  (She thinks that part is super cool!).  All was good until it was actually time to go in the classroom and for daddy to leave.  She told daddy "Get me outta here!"  He of course said his goodbyes and sent her in anyways.  I'm certain he assured her she would have fun and that we would be coming back to get her.  

The preschool has a policy that if your child doesn't calm down after 15 minutes they will call you to "rescue" them.  This mommy was watching the clock because I was afraid I would be called.  We got to 20 minutes, 30, then and hour and no calls!  We are so proud of her for adjusting so quickly.

Prior to her starting preschool we did visit once to check it out.  Also in the month leading up to it we talked about her going and how it would be fun and she would get to play with her friends. (Love this age when all little kids are automatically your friends).  We did also drive by her preschool at least once a week and I would point it out to her that it was her preschool.  The day after her orientation we drove by her school and she told us that it was her preschool!

Mommy and Meemaw got to pick her up after her first day.  We met her just outside her classroom.  She immediately went over and got her bag to show us what she had made for her first day.  She made a picture of her at Preschool and has started practicing writing her name.  She got to the L.  Jillian is a long name for a little girl to write!  I'm certain she will get much better with writing her letters as the year goes by.  

Gardening

Jillian got to learn about growing a garden this year.  She helped us plant seeds and watched as it sprouted and grew taller and taller.  Then finally the harvest :).

5-16-13 - Helping meemaw plant seeds 

5-16-13 - Helping papa cover the newly planted seeds

She was happy to pose with the small corn

Starting to look a little unsure of being in the middle of this growing stuff.

This stuff is as tall as me!

She was happy to look at it, but didn't want to be too close

7-28-13 - Picking her first ear of corn (this child LOVES corn!)

7-28-13 - attempting to help us remove the silks

7-28-13 - Helping meemaw cool off the corn after it was cooked

7-28-13 - Helping papa place the boxes of corn in the freezer