Traditions

Drum roll please.....we got into a pre-school!!! Woooo whoooo!!! As you may remember a couple of years ago I compared the pre-school application process to getting into college. I have come to realize that it is so very true! The pre-school that Catie will be going to has 30 kids in a class. Kids of alumni and current siblings get the initial spots and then the remaining spots go to the children on the waiting list. This year 24 openings went to alumni and siblings and the remaining 6 openings will go to kids that are on the waiting list (which currently consists of 200 applicants that were placed on the waiting list within 60 days of birth). Crazy, huh!

Well, we couldn't be more thrilled for so many reason.

1) Colin went to the same pre-school (hence Catie receiving one of the 24 spots for alumni and siblings). Thanks Colin!

2) Colin still talks about his time at pre-school. Not joke, he loved it and will tell you all about how he was chosen to sing "Take me out to the ball game".

3) The school is in a brand new location and the new facilities are amazing.

4) There are 6 teachers so the student to teacher ratio is incredible.

5) The school curriculum has a great mix of structure and play.

6) The pre-k program which Catie will be doing in a few years is excellent. They have a science teacher, a teacher that helps with writing, an art teacher, etc. I love that!

and finally the most important thing....

Catie loved it! We took Catie on a visit to the school for a morning and she had a wonderful time. Another family was there observing and the little girl stuck by her mom and dad for awhile until she warmed up. Catie on the other hand did not. She held my hand as we walked in and literally within 5 seconds of being inside she took off. She wanted nothing to do with Colin or me. She had a great time and loved every minute of school.

Catie also carried on the O'Connell tradition.....she cried and I mean CRIED when we left (just like her daddy did when he observed the school for the day). As we left Catie kept saying "Please mommy stay here".

Now if you ask her about school she will say "Catie, pre-school, next year".

She can't wait for September to come (I however will probably be the one crying this time).


Catie on the morning that she went to "check out" pre-school.