New beginings

2 weeks ago we were thrown for a loop.  We found out our corporate owned daycare/school had been sold and in less than 2 weeks it would be under new ownership.  A new curriculum and philosophy would be introduced gradually to fully transition over in a year.  Our family was devastated and worried over what this would mean for our children. 

While it was corporate owned, our location was special.  The teachers, directors, and families were a family many of the staff including the director had been there since the day it opened.  We would often be there a few times a week after hours as parents planning fun events and parties for our children.  My kids loved it there.  I was always so comfortable leaving Lilly and Tommy every day. 

Many of the parents and families were devastated by this news and I was one of them.  I am a pretty emotional person anyway but this hit me hard.  I ugly cried at least twice in the directors office.  Why would something that isn't broken and in fact excelling need to be changed!?  I was angry, sad, upset.  Most of all for what wouldn't be.  Lilly wouldn't graduate in to Kindergarten here, the great teachers she would have had, and the traditions!   Ultimately we decided to make a transition and chose a new school for the kids sooner rather than later.  A BIG part of this decision was my Lilly.  She is starting preschool in August and we really wanted her to be at the same school with the same curriculum and philosophy for the next 2 years.  This decision wasn't easy.  After all many, if not all, of her teachers will still be at the old school for a while at least.   

We were on vacation the last week it was officially KA so it seemed very natural to come back to a fresh start at a new school-LG.  We were able to come back for a morning while on our vacation to visit LG and start the process.  Thank you to my in laws for keeping the kids at the beach! 

We wanted to make this a very exciting transition for Lilly.  It is hasn't been easy and I've teared up quite a bit over the last 2 weeks but I needed to be strong for her.  Saturday evening we went shopping for a new book bag and took her to the new school so she could see where she would go and the new playground she would play on.  This was her school now-she's starting preschool!  After, we went out to dinner and on our way home we passed by the 'old place' and I held my breath as Lilly pointed out "there WAS my school!"  and then said "I'm going to a new school now!".  Of course the waterworks came quickly for me as I sat in the front seat-thanks to my husband for jumping in while I composed myself.  As hard as this will be for a while, she is genuinely excited and that makes me happy! 

Monday was their first day and it went better than expected!  There was a little hesitation on Lilly's end but when I picked her up she said she had a GREAT day and was excited to go back!  It really helped that some of her friends from KA also made the transition.  I was so happy it went well.    Tommy had a little more trouble at first but after I left he had a great day too!  After a full week we are (almost) used to the new routine (I am still not used to the fact I need to pack them lunches daily) and very happy with our choice.

I know in perspective this isn't a HUGE issue when you think of other things we have and will go through in life and we will come out on the other end eventually. I know we will look back and LOVE the moments and memories we had at KA as well as the new memories and traditions we will have at LG.