The 3 P's of Preschool

Today was a big day in the Graves's household!  Tristan started preschool.  We had wanted to put him in preschool but for various reasons decided to wait.  Then, an opportunity too good to pass up, presented itself and so we jumped on board.  I spent some time researching preschools before we moved here, so I already had a little bit of an idea of what was available.  Saturday, as I was driving home, I passed a church that had a sign for it's preschool, not too far from the house.  I decided to research it online and on Monday I called to see if they had any openings and if we could visit.  I have to admit that I had some reservations.  Tristan can be really shy and has had a hard time just going into the church nursery, even at home.  I prayed and asked God to give us excitement and peace if it was the right school for us and to be honest, I felt neither when we went to look at it.  Tristan seemed a little apprehensive as well (see my kid's quotes for that one.)  Anyway, the school had an opening and said he could start the next day (today). 

I drove to Target last night to find Tristan a Buzz lunchbox.  On the way there, I was overwhelmed with a spirit of fear and doubt.  I called my mom and asked her to pray for me.  I didn't want to ignore any maternal instincts or discernment in my spirit, and the line between that and the fear and doubt became very blurred.  It just was happening fast and I wanted to make sure I was making the God choice. 

Skip ahead to bedtime....Tristan woke up screaming and complaining about his lip hurting.  His nose was running and itchy and he was having a really difficult time sleeping.  I finally decided to let him sleep with me so I could avoid multiple trips back and forth across the house in the middle of the night.  I battled him all night long.  He kept kicking and punching and touching.  My body was literally aching from holding him at bay all night.  I didn't sleep at all.  Was it a sign that God was trying to say no or the enemy trying to keep me from the right choice?  Ugh!  Confusion - not of God!

I woke up and made his lunch and decided we were just going to give it a try, take a leap of faith, and see what happened.  All 5 of us piled in the car for his big day, but agreed that it would probably be better for him if I dropped him off alone, so he wouldn't be overwhelmed.  He clung to my leg when we walked into the room.  Two very friendly women greeted us and curious kids stared.  To my immediate surprise, he actually responded when the teacher asked him a question.  Then he agreed to go to the table with her to do some manipulatives.  I just stood in the room and watched him.  He seemed to be adjusting well, so after talking to the teacher for a bit, I decided I would try to leave.  He was playing with some cars and I told him that I would be back in a little bit, but he was so distracted that he just half hugged me and kept on playing.  The teacher gave me her cell phone number so I could call and check on him.  I lingered outside the door for a minute watching through the window to see if he would get upset once he "came to" and realized I had actually left.  But, he didn't.  I was pleasantly shocked and didn't know what to do, so I just left.  And hour later I called and he was still just fine.  I guess he's just a big boy now.  Hopefully tomorrow will go just as smoothly.  : )

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Tristan is now potty trained (although we still put him in a diaper at night to be safe).  Kris has come up with

Daddy's 3 P's of Potty Training

POINT your PECKER in the POTTY

LOL  He shared this with me tonight and I thought it was so funny that I would share.  Wisdom my friends...wisdom!