The Final Countdown

The countdown is on...the boys start preschool in 12 days. I have so many MIXED feelings about this. On one hand, I know it is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn more things, meet new friends and have some separation from me. I like that their school is Christian based and I am excited that they will be able to help me learn more about teaching them about God and our faith. And a welcomed break!

(Photo of the boys with their buddies doing a camping theme/ preschool setting with some of my girlfriends)

On the other hand, I struggle with that they are only 3 and I know next year they will be going 5 days a week for 1/2 days for Pre- K. Wow it is so weird to think my kids will be in Pre-K!! So my days of doing what I want with them anytime, with my girlfriends are almost over. They have 19 years of structured school coming up so why not make it as fun as possible with me and their buddies for the next year? Lack of monitoring, what they are exposed to, keeping that sweet little innocence for as long as possible that they have right now...ohhhhh, that part really sucks.

We have made a joint decision to try it out since they have been excepted at a program that we have been on a waiting list for the past year and half. This is one of the many hard decisions to come. The first thing someone said to me in the class (A parent) was "Are these the twins, we are so excited they are in the class"! I was glad she was excited about my boys but annoyed they were labeled as "The Twins" and not Nicolas/ Christian as you would do with any other kid. They are individuals!!! Yes, I know I am contradicting myself because I talk about "twin experiences, raising twins"....but I am the mom! I have learned to say very nicely, "Oh you mean Nicolas and Christian and went ahead and introduced them as Nicolas and Christian". The teachers were sweet and nurturing. They did ask me at open house:

• "Have you considered separating them in school"?


• "What are your views on this"?


• "Is there anything you can tell us you want us to focus on with the dynamics of twins"?


• "Do they play with other kids easily or go to each other" ?

They actually picked up on one unique dynamic that I never realized and I was encouraged this is going to be a good experience, with great teachers. I have to say though I wasn't prepared for some of these questions and just said "Let's see how it goes, you can share with me your perspective as they participate in class and I then I gave them information about each of their personalities, how to encourage and honor their differences. I made that part VERY CLEAR about honoring their differences. Like I said, lots of decisions, mixed emotions and now I can see how they will very easily be labeled as "The Twins".

Nicolas hunting for bugs and looking at them with his magnifying glass during our camping theme.

This was a cool idea is anyone wants to try it for a snack- they went "Fishing". We took a pretzel, they dipped it in peanut butter and fished for "Goldfish".