Highlights

Hi honey,

Last night I was reading a magazine article, and got the idea to ask you what was your favorite thing that happened during the day.

"You mean a Highlight." you corrected me.

I'm game. "Okay, a highlight, what was your highlight?"

"My highlight was when I came home and saw you."

wow.

Later that night, when you easily convinced me to take a bath with you., I asked if you learned about highlights in school.

"Yes," you said, rather vague, "highlights are something that happens during the day."

"Something good, right?"

"Yes, Mommy what was your highlight?"

"Taking a bath with Ava." Your smile was the best response.

There are days when the mommy scale tips in my favor, and makes up for the days when it doesn't. Days when the love is so palpable, so tangible, that the imprint surrounds memories. Those are highlights of life.

I love you,
but you know that,
right?

Mommy

"I" Messages

Hi my little love,

At school you have learned "I" messages, as a way to express yourself. This morning, you tearfully walked up to me in the kitchen, wrapped in your blanket pajamas with feet, and said:

"Mommy, I have an "I" message for you." Sniff.

"Okay, honey, what is it?"

"I feel sad that you shut the door to the bathroom when I was inside. It scared me."

"Okay, my love, what do you want me to do?" This is part of the "I" message script

"I want you to say sorry."

"I'm so sorry honey, I didn't mean to scare you."
I picked you up in a big hug until the tears were under control. I was so proud of you for using words to express yourself.

love,
always,
Mommy

Conversations

You: I wish we could have a garage sale.
Me: Really, what would you sell?
You: Everything I don't like.

....

Me, as I pull into the bank parking lot, trying to explain where money comes from:
I'm going to the bank to get money, because I go to work, they put money in the bank for me
You: Because I go to school, there is money in the bank.

No, I didn't correct you. I loved your logic, and someday I'll explain passive and active income, but this was good enough for today.

...

In gymnastics today, you weren't listening to the teacher, and after reminding you, loudly, a couple times, my Angry Mom brain kicked in and grumbled, fortunately silently, that I was going to tell you if you didn't pay attention in gymnastics then we couldn't go anymore.

But fortunately Angry Mom Brain calmed down and at the end of class what I did say was "Honey, I thought you did great today, and noticed you did great especially when you were listening to your teacher. So maybe next time you can listen to your teacher more?"

You nodded.

"And next time at the start of class I can remind you to listen to your teacher."

I don't remember your exact words, but there were no pouts, no tears, no bad feelings, and I was proud of myself for not giving in to idle, angry threats.

It's not easy to be a mom all the time, but I always love being a mom to you.

Kindergarten Day 2

My FB post today (slightly expounded), says it all:

Julie ... is feeling like my my mom license should be suspended after hurrying to leave Ava at Kindergarten after 15 min in the school office sorting out forms with her wanting to show me how she zipped up her own sweatshirt, followed by five minutes of extra hugs in the classroom, because I was going to be late to work and she had that pouty "I'm ...a big girl so I won't cry" face that nearly broke my heart. I miss preschool already. [end of FB post]

All of this was preceded by driving 40 minutes across town to said Kindergarten, where one person honked at me because I didn't side swipe an oncoming car, and I honked at one guy double parked, then felt miniscule when I saw his daughter getting out of the car.

Day 2 was a bit harder than day 1, but you were dressed super-cute with those extra long growing out bangs back in side pony tails, jean skirt with pink leggings.

I was sending you love all day little one, every time I looked at that cute pic from yesterday on my computer background. We'll figure this out, I promise.

love,
Mommy

Kindergarten

"Mommy, is today a Kindergarten day?" you asked on waking, eyes blinking away sleep.

"I hope so, my love," I responded.

We've had quite an adventure finding you a kindergarten, that all started with the crazy public school lottery system in this beautiful city by the bay. Back in January we submitted our list of 7 schools into the lottery, got one we weren't happy about, didn't register, forgot to sign up for the second lottery, and a couple months later put our names on the "waiting pool" list for one nearby our house. And we waited, and waited, and called periodically with no updates.

Last Monday 8/24 school started for most, but alas, not for us. I sat down with you the Sunday prior when you asked me about Kindergarten, and said as truthfully as possible, that because Mommy and Daddy messed up you didn't have a kindergarten yet.

Last week Daddy went through some Herculean gymnastics to get a school for you, including multiple visits to our waiting pool school, daily visits to the district where he became increasingly upset at the system, until finally on one visit he spoke to a school district manager and out dropped a plum - we may want to check on the two charter schools in the city that are part of the district, but allow us the possibility to transfer to another district school should we choose.

And THAT is how Daddy found Creative Arts Charter School, how he delighted in the music room with a baby grand piano, the cleanliness of the school, and the central location that makes it easy for all involved to help out.

You've been so patient, my love, I am proud beyond measure. This morning as you asked me that first question, I said next, shall we ask the Angels for help? Yes, you nodded.

I whispered then, "Angels, please let us start Kindergarten today."

Bless them, they answered.

love,
always,
Mommy

Choices & Decisions

How to decide between two things, according to you:

Meenie meenie miney mo,
Catch a tiger halla toe
If he hallas letmgo
Meenie meenie miney mo.