First Day(s) of "Pwee-scoo"

Well, BabyLady, you have now crossed the threshold into your academic career.  You are attending Shrine (National Shrine of the Little Flower - where we attend church) 3YO pre-school.  You go Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8.05AM to 11.05AM.  And so far? So good!  The only tears that were shed were Mommy's.  You are such a brave girl.

On Tuesday Daddy & I took you for orientation from 8 to 9AM.  Your teacher, Mrs. Oldani, told us no less than 6 times how excited she is to be teaching preschool.  She taught kindergarten for many years previously.    She was also an art teacher so she is very into arts & crafts!  Your building is a double-wide portable classroom directly across from the "big school" AKA the grade school.  It's really cute with a fine-motor skill room & large-motor skill room.  Mommy took scrupulous notes, as always. =)  (Daddy says I was the only one taking notes. =p ).  You played while we sat & listened (& took notes).  They have a big Little Tikes castle to play on - you said that was your favorite & that you shared it with the other kids.  You're so sweet!  I got choked up a couple times Tuesday but managed to power through without any tears.

Thursday, however? Not so much.  We both dropped you off together again.  This time Mommy got teary because our baby girl is growing up. So. Fast. Sigh.  There was a little boy at the table where we sat you down.  He had BIG crocodile tears rolling down his cheeks, the poor baby.  His mommy had already left.  I told you that he looked sad & you should talk to him & be his friend.  I just wanted to hug him, but I think some random Mommy hugging him might have just freaked him out. Seeing how upset he was & wondering you'd react the same way really set me off.  As we left, I hugged you, kissed you, & told you I'd miss you a half dozen times. I couldn't stop saying goodbye.  After all, this WAS the very first time I'd ever left you anywhere without family (or someone as close as family).  Wow, that was tough. I needed a REALLLLLLY big hug from your daddy so I could get in my car & head to work.

When I picked you up, Mrs. Oldani said you had lots of smiles.  Hooray!!  You did well!  You told me that you drew a picture "for the big kids", played outside, read stories about teachers, & sang songs about cleaning up.  How perfect!!  You said you liked making pictures "for the big kids" the best.  I asked  you if you were glad that we enrolled you in preschool.  You told me that you were!  And Mommy breathes a sigh of relief.

So glad you like it, our sweet angel.
We are so proud of you.  So, so proud.
All my love for always,
Mommy

Just a few of many occasions where you melt Mommy's heart ...

Quinn to Mommy as we sat on your bed together at bedtime, nuzzling up to me, straddled on my lap with Blankie over my shoulder: "I just love to cuddle you!"  <3

The other night I told you that "you are SO sweet." Your reply? "Mommy, YOU are so sweet." And you kissed me.

Just about every night the last thing you want to do before I turn the fan on & close the door is to give Mommy a kiss on the cheek & to get one in return.  "I just wanna give you a kiss. on. the cheek." you say, very deliberately with finality & conviction.  I will take alllllllll the kisses I can get from my BabyLady!

You often tell me "Mommy, I just love you so much!"  I say the same to you lots.  It's amazing, gratifying, & terrifying the impact my words have on you.

Just head over heels for my BabyLady!!

All my love for always,
Mumma