Transitions...Growing Up!

A spot finally opened up for Bella at Katelyn's school.  When Lolita heard the news Bella was leaving the daycare, she cried and was sad to have Bella go.  She loves her very much like her own child.  We are fortunate to find a daycare that was so nurturing and fed Bella so well.  Bella loved Lolita's home made arroz con leche and her fresh sopa.

Laura was another one of Bella's care taker.  This picture was taken during Christmas.  Laura always made Bella laugh.

Katelyn was so excited to have Bella go to school with her.  Whenever Katelyn saw one of her friends or teachers, she would wave them down and tell them my baby sister, Bella is coming to school with me.

Bella's first day was as Mommy suspected an adjustment period.  She did cry some.  It's understandable being left in a unfamiliar place with people she does not know for 8 hours.  Mommy and Daddy stayed 30 minutes with her in the morning to help her get warmed up.  The week prior, Bella came to visit the classroom every day to become familiar with the place.  Bella sat down to eat breakfast of bagels and strawberry puree jam.   It's family style, so she got her own servings.

Bella explored the classroom and played with the community helpers.

She especially liked the kitchen area, the baby dolls and the cribs to put them in.

Bella even made a new friend who was curious to see a new toddler in the room.  Bella's first day went okay.  She hardly ate much and needed to be held to sleep before being put down on her cot.  The second day went better.  The teachers said she only cried a few minutes after drop off.   She ate really well, went straight to her cot to sleep and spent a lot of time observing, but by the afternoon was participating in the activities.  The teachers say she is still on the quiet side and Bella doesn't talk much which is total opposite of her loud self at home and at Lolita's.  It will probably take a few weeks for Bella to get use to the room and not cry when she gets dropped off.

Katelyn is also transitioning.  She is going to the kindergarten prep classroom.  She already told Mommy, she will miss all her teachers in her Panthers classroom like Teacher Kathy.

The teachers and Katelyn worked on a book about Katelyn over the last few months as a keepsake of Katelyn's time in the Panthers classroom.  The book contained pictures of Katelyn, her likes, interests and drawings.

Teacher K is K's new primary teacher.  So far, she seems really nice!

This is Teacher E.  She is the lead teacher.  Katelyn spent a week visiting the new classroom for a couple hours a day before fully transitioning.

Daddy brought the girls cupcakes to celebrate being in new classrooms.  Mommy thinks Daddy secretly wanted cupcakes since he has a sweet tooth.