KDUNK

Dear Lili,

Today was your first day of Practically Preschool. It is a program here in Brooklyn at a local playspace where they host a class for toddlers to get them ready for real preschool. Oh my gosh. What a trip it was.

We spent the morning prepping you about where you were going. We read a little book about Penelope a bear that goes to school. I changed your outfit like 15 times for some reason. I packed your backpack of snacks and you added two items of your own – a broken cell phone and a washcloth. We were off!

We we arrived I think the kids were picking up on the nervous energy of the mothers in the room because there was lots of clinging and crying and NO! and various other toddler outbursts. But soon the teacher Lauren took control and quickly got your attention with a combo of stories, music, snacks, art projects, etc.

Here are some of your highlights in bullet form:

• The minute we walked in the room you said MAS SNACK (more snack in Spanish) MAS SNACK MAS SNACK for the entire 45 minute duration of class (despite the 15 min snack time) and despite the fact you ate a huge breakfast

• There is a boy named Nicolas in your class which BLEW your mind since every night we read a book about a bunny named Nicolas and you literally looked around the room like dude…where is this guy…each time his name was mentioned

• You sat quietly and properly at the table like a big girl. I give myself big props for getting that cheap-o IKEA kids table and chairs a while ago because we’ve been practicing for a while with you and so far so good!

• You asked for 45 helpings from the very patient teacher of water in your tiny paper cup which you dramatically guzzled like I’ve never given you a cup of water in your entire life

• You made a self portrait on a paper plate – middle one

Overall a great experience. It was amusing to watch each toddler in the room with their various ‘isms’ including you. You were snack and water obsessed. Another kid couldn’t stop crying because the teacher wouldn’t sing the song that came after Wheels On The Bus on their cd at home. Another kid melted down during the part where the teacher said to whisper because he thought it meant it was nap time. Another literally clung to his mother’s leg when she made a single move thinking she was going to leave the room.

Kids are so honest and true and hilarious. It was a great lesson for all the Moms in the room who have spent the last twenty plus months devoting ourselves to knowing the ins and outs of our wacky little kids and all their likes and dislikes. The bottom line was hey – here we are – lets celebrate our accomplishment of making it here! And you know what? They’re fine.  We are growing up. All of us.

I only fought back tears once during the end song of ‘You Are My Sunshine’. As I held you on my lap my big girl – at practically preschool – I knew it was time to hold tight and at the same time – start to let go.

xo