cece's first day of skolka

I wish I would have had a video camera this morning to capture the moment as I'm shutting the outside door. Cece with the biggest smile on her face as she says, "bye, Mom, love you too!" I mean it is as though time stood still. I know all parents go through this, but this is the first time I've experienced "the first day of school" from this side of things. Today is Cece's first day of skolka (preschool), and as the pictures show, she was beyond excited this morning.




For months now, I have wanted Cece to have some activities. Also, Brian and I really want Cece to learn Czech now, so that in her later memory, it will be as if she always knew it. We looked into getting her into public preschool this fall, but they didn't have space for her (for kids her age preference is given to moms who work full-time). A new private preschool opened in our little town this fall, and while I was given the idea several months ago, I didn't want to try too hard to get her in because I knew that she would scream bloody murder when I dropped her off.

However, recently, something happened to our "little girl". She started telling me that she wanted to go to school without me, a change of heart from previous discussions. So, I called our dear friend, Katka, and she called the school to set up a tour.

My only real hopes were that it would be a welcoming environment where Cece could make friends and learn Czech. Well, Happy Day Skola, the private preschool, exceeded my expectations. They are basing some of their methods on the Montessori model where kids interact with hands-on activities that teach them academic concepts and skills. Students have choices and freedom to learn and explore. The staff is so friendly (I don't feel completely stupid for not knowing Czech very well, yet). They are flexible, and they promised me they would never brush her hair (something they do for other students after nap time).

Cece is going in the mornings where they do all their learning in Czech (the afternoon is the English program). I'll pick her up after she eats her Czech lunch.

Here's a picture Brian took of her right before he left her at Happy Day; she was very excited to go put her toothbrush away (they brush their teeth after lunch).

I recently posted about how important it is to raise your children unselfishly with the ultimate goal being them not needing you, but needing Jesus, and I am super excited for my "little girl". But, oh my goodness, days like today when you realize how big your kid is getting are a little surreal.

Just one more little story, I was a baby shower awhile ago and all of us where supposed to share something our mom had done well as inspiration to the mom to be. Another JV missionary, Leah Cox, shared that on her way out the door, her mom used to yell after them, "serve the King today!" (Leah's impression was priceless.) I just love that. So, today, I said, "Serve the King today, Cece." I knew she wouldn't really understand, but she yelled back, "I will!" Oh how I pray that she will--you know when it really counts, that she will!