MummyNaomi - thank you :D I feel so proud of her when I pick her up and I look in the book to see what the kids have done for the day and I see photos of DD joining in with the activities of the day and can see what craft they did etc. She's part of this little community now and I feel happy for her. Something for her you know? I will really appreciate this one day a week with the baby knowing DD is happy too :D
You're right, they do pick up different skills that they don't get at home necessarily. Mixing with different kids, different personalities, playing on equipment we don't have at home, new craft ideas, etc....
We have brought in show and tell items a couple of times too, like a book to read with the kids and things like that, so makes DD feel more at home :D It's encouraged.
DD's toilet training has skyrocketed since going to kindy also and she's almost out of nappies now!! And she LOVES going to bed for her day naps whereas before we went through a period where she resisted them..... dunno, maybe it's all coincidental and timing, but I think it has played a role definitely.
Glad to hear your DS is doing really well too, that's awesome!! It will certainly make it easier on them and us, when they transition to kindy or preschool one day and then to "big" school :) I bet it would have been a bit hard seeing him move up from the babies room!!

