Butterfly (Briefly)

Not her typical preschool uniform

Thursday was Fiona's last day of preschool -- she's all done with the caterpillar class and is ready to move into the butterfly class for next year. Except that we won't be living in New York next year (this is as good a place as any to mention that we're relocating down to Florida), so other than a two week summer session in early July pre-move, Fiona's not really going to see much of the butterfly classroom. Her disappointment won't last long; she gets to go to preschool at the zoo next year (yes, for real).

Her disappointment will last a little longer when she realizes she's not going to see the friends she made at preschool in New York again. Kids at her age bounce back pretty quickly (I moved at the same age and don't remember the names of anybody in my first year of preschool, although I'm sure my parents could pipe up here). Still, it's been fun watching her make friends and talk incessantly at home about all the things she does at school with Kayla and Estela (on either side of Fiona in the picture above, taken on Wacky Wednesday in April when all the kids got to wear pajamas to school).

Andrea and I only visited the school together with Fiona on three days (not counting parent-teacher conferences): the first day of school, her birthday, and the last day. On the first day she was thrilled to be starting school but quickly gave way to terror when she realized she was in an unfamiliar place and didn't know anybody.

On the last day, we stopped by with Nana in tow (Nana now has Fiona out in San Diego as we prepare for an overseas trip, but that's really a different post). Fiona grabbed hold of Nana and excitedly gave her the full tour of their classroom, showing the kitchen, science station, etc. It was more of a tour than I ever got from her (there's nothing special about Daddy stopping by preschool), but it was great to contrast the difference between the first and last day.

We had good hopes for the school but it really exceeded all of our expectations, and Fiona has really taken to the class structure (circle time is a daily highlight). I'm not sorry to be opting out of the NY City schools game (you can get a good education for your kid, but it requires constant vigilance), but the one year we did deal with it paid off spectacularly well.