Last day of preschool

Today was Audrey's last day of preschool for a while.  She's in a Parks and Rec preschool program, so her classes run about 8-10 weeks or so and then I sign her up again.

This particular class is different from the last one she was in.  It's an hour and a half long, M-Th, and they learn a different letter of the alphabet, and a new number every week.  When she starts up again in January, they will pick up where they left off.

We were invited to class today so the kids could show us what they've been learning and what they do in class.

It was very cute.  Alot of what they do is really kindergarten-ish, too.  Numbers, letters, what does this letter sound like, coloring, days of the week....enough that she's exhausted when I pick her up.

While it is true that what she is learning in class is something I could teach her at home, I have decided to let her learn it at preschool instead.

To familiarize her with playing with other kids her own age.

To familiarize her with the notion of a classroom setting, routines, organization, all that.

To give her a place all her own.

And the real reason, ladies and gentlemen, that I have chosen this route is to help me get used to her being gone.  I'm starting to saw away at the cord, because come July, when we start school for next year, she will be an all-day kindergartner.  I know, I know, it's a long way off.  (But is it, really?)

My heart breaks a little bit at the thought.  All.  Day.  Kindergarten.

Watching her concentrate today, seeing how much she's learned, it's easy to see she is well on her way to being ready for 'real' school.

At least one of us is.