Baylee's Preschool Adventures And Graduation

Moving in November meant finding a new preschool. We were so sad to leave Miss Rachel's preschool, but Baylee had so much fun at Miss Sheila's preschool when the second half of the school year started. They went on three field trips after Baylee started, and I was lucky enough to get to go on all of them.

The first field trip was to the post office in Sunol. I didn't get any pictures in it, but we stopped so each kid could get a picture on the Bosco the dog statue. I guess he was America's first dog mayor?

After the post office, we had a little picnic in a cute little park behind it before heading home. It was a fun little field trip, even though we had gotten a little lost on the way there. The lady who gave us the tour had been there for a while and was on her last week before retiring. The kids had written letters that they were able to mail home to their parents (they even got to buy their own stamps) and they learned how the mail got from the post office to their house.

The next field trip was to the zoo, where we started by watching the elephants eat.

Of course my kid was the one sticking her tongue out when everyone was taking pictures when we stopped for a snack.

When we went in the reptile house, I spent the whole time chasing Payton in and out of this little door. My kids did not go easy on me that day. I was so glad that a lot of the other parents came and were very helpful with my active kids that on most days probably belong in the zoo themselves. The monkey exhibit seems a little fitting.

We stopped to look at the giant tortoises and it was cute to hear the kids going on about what they called the "grandpa", "grandma" and "baby" turtles. I know there was a cute story behind this, but since it was a couple of months ago, I can't quite remember what it was.

Baylee HATES to walk. I figured she would walk when she saw all her preschool friends walking too, so I didn't have to bring the (pain in the you know what) double stroller. Somehow Baylee managed to be pushed almost the whole time, including her friend Kate pulling her and Claire in the wagon that Miss Sheila had brought to carry food and water in. It was pretty funny. Claire took a turn too, but I never saw Baylee return the kindness. The zoo was so much fun with her preschool, even though I thought it would be warmer. I didn't dress Baylee the best for the weather that day.

The last field trip was to:

Trader Joe's! We got to sample food and have a tour. The kids got to learn a lot about healthy foods and see the back room and where all the shipments come in.

They got to learn how to use the cash register and got free lollipops and goodie bags and stickers.

At the end, they got to pick out their own healthy snack and pay for it themselves. Trader Joe's was such a fun little field trip and they did a great job!

After Trader Joe's we went to a nearby park and had a snack and played. I attempted to get a picture of the girls with Miss Sheila, but we had some not so cooperative kids that day.

Miss Sheila had a great graduation ceremony and BBQ at her house when school ended the first weekend in June:

She ordered this adorable cake with the preschool logo on it (Hand in Hand Discovery Preschool).
She made the three girls that are moving onto kindergarten some pink graduation hats. On Thursday's it was just these three girls so they became really good friends. They were all sad to be going to different schools next year and not be able to see each other.

The kids performed a few cute songs. Baylee, of course, got pretty into it. That girl loved to perform.

The kids all got called up separately and Sheila talked about each kid individually and gave them c.d. with a slideshow of the school year.

Then they got their "diplomas" from Ryan's mom, who happens to be a kindergarten teacher. Then we gave Miss Sheila her present. The kids each made Miss Sheila a stepping stone with their name and handprint for her to remember her first preschool class, and a gift card to Lakeshore Learning. Then it was food time!

Thank you Miss Sheila for such a great school year (or I guess half a school year)! You did a wonderful job for your first year teaching and we will miss you!