First Day of School

Both boys have officially started school here in Switzerland.  Little T started last week at a little creche or nursery school and will be attending Monday and Tuesday mornings, with the possibility of adding on Thursday come October.  Here in Switzerland you don’t just start nursery school by bringing them the first day and dropping them off, they have what is called an ‘adaption period.’  What this means is that I come with Thomas to school for a few hours each time until they feel he is ready for me to leave.  I think it’s a really good idea for many reasons, but most importantly because I remember with Henry it was so difficult to see him upset as I was walking out the door.

I started Thomas now because 1) a spot became available (the waiting lists here are ridiculous) and 2) Baby girl will be arriving in just 12 short weeks (or sooner) and I want him to be comfortable with the nursery and also not to think that the baby booted him out of the house.  It was suggested when we were having Thomas to start Henry in school before the baby arrived so that the transition goes smoother and again so they don’t think that someone else is replacing their spot at home.

Now onto the big 3 year old (which in and of itself seems crazy to me!)  He had/has his first big day at school today.  I dropped him off at 8:45am and boy was it a mad house.  The first day always is because you have to bring so much stuff (slippers, rain boots, rain coat, gym shorts and shoes, extra clothes and so on) and then they supply you with the cute uniform (which isn’t mandatory but nice to have).  Henry will be attending Educative Kindergarten Monday-Fridays from 8:30am-1:30pm!

Henry was so excited to start school and really couldn’t understand why T started last week.  We were doing a countdown by number of sleeps he had left until school started.  He could barely contain himself this morning while we were getting ready…he was jumping up and down, literally!

Once we arrived at school, his friend Adalyn arrived at the same time.  They walked into school hand-in-hand and of course I forgot my phone in the car. Adalyn’s from North Carolina, but was born here and has lived here her whole life, all of 4 years 🙂  Here’s a photo her mommy caught:

Adalyn and Henry

T’s first day at school

Henry’s first day at school

Thomas is resting (not really napping) and Henry’s at school, what’s a mommy to do with this free time?!?!