Ryan starts preschool!

Big changes are continually happening in the Ekk house!! This week, my first born started preschool!!! For me, it has been a whirlwind of emotions; mourning the loss of my full time home time with Ryan, excitement for his new adventure, sad that I can't see all he's doing and learning, loving special one on one time with Ally, praying that God will use this experience to teach Ryan and help shape him, and transitioning into a whole new schedule and routine. I didn't expect for it to be such a big deal, but it really is! I also really can't believe how fast the past 4.5 years have went with my little guy! I know people always say it goes by fast, but to experience it is another thing! It seems like yesterday I was walking the San Diego zoo with my little 2 year old just loving how much he enjoys animals and being outdoors. I truly am so incredibly thankful that I have been able to be home with him and to watch him wake up, learn, explore, play and sleep during these first years of his life. It was always a dream of mine, and being a stay at home mom has been an incredible blessing to me! 

Anyways...we had been talking about what a big step it is to be in preschool and Ryan loves anything that means that he is becoming a big boy, so he was pretty excited! The night before I told him that he could pick anything he wanted for dinner...so he picked cheese quesadillas and green grapes! ha! Easiest dinner ever! :) 

enjoying his 'night before preschool' meal :) (He also got a cool transformers thermos to take to school with him)

and Ally wanted me to take a picture of her too ;) 

 The morning of preschool, I was really nervous about getting both kids and myself ready on time and out the door by 7:30am. It's usually a good morning when we're ready by 9! And...Jason had to leave early so I was on my own. I managed to make Ryan some homemade pancakes (I wanted his tummy full for his first day!) I had to wake him up early, but the pancakes helped with that. :)

 I managed to also get some first day pictures of him in his first day of school outfit! I had taken him shopping a few weeks ago to pick out some new clothes and LOVE this blue on him! Isn't he the cutest little preschooler ever...I mean, really?!?

 Ally definitely was feeling a little left out, so I had to get some pictures of her with Ryan as well :)

When we arrived to his preschool, he said his tummy hurt a little bit (which means he was nervous). My mommy heart wanted to just take him home, but I gathered my courage and told him he was going to be fine and have so much fun and we walked in together holding hands. 

I asked him to show me his backpack ;) 

Once we were inside the classroom and he met his teacher, I could tell he was feeling more at ease. Both of his teachers were very welcoming and sweet. I met this one (Miss Melinda) last year and was secretly hoping this would be his teacher...so I was so excited that he was in the blue room with her!! 

Miss Melinda and Ryan! 

again...Ally likes to be included as well! 

exploring the classroom

saying good bye to Ally 

After about 5 minutes of me hanging out...he told me that he was ready for me to go. That wrenched my heart a little, but also was so good to see that he felt comfortable and excited. :) I held myself together before I got to the car. I put Ally in and just let the tears flow. I couldn't believe that I had just dropped him off at preschool. I took Ally to Starbucks because I honestly didn't know what to do with myself. What a weird thing...to not have my little sidekick with me who has been by my side for the past 4.5 years. But...Ally and I really enjoyed some one on one time and it was so cute to see her just enjoying being with me and getting to do what she wanted. Ally and I then went to lunch a few hours later and brought Ryan a lemonade, hamburger and apples (his favorite meal). He was soo excited and hungry! He ate everything! He had a wonderful first day and I am so thankful for this experience and for a wonderful preschool that he gets to be a part of! Another milestone in Ryan's life!