What I Wish They Would Have Told Me...

My dearest Molly,

Here it is -- Kindergarten Eve. So many thoughts are running through my head... emotional thoughts ("How can you be five?!?!?"), logistical thoughts ("I've got to pack lunch, make sure Molly's backpack is ready, and don't forget to send in the signed papers..."), and panic attack thoughts ("Are we ready for this???").

As I read you your bedtime story tonight, and we did our "We love our family" nighttime routine, I flashed back to you as a baby. Your daddy and I received so much advice (good and bad) when we were pregnant and when you were brand new. How to swaddle... why breastfeeding is better than formula (or vice versa, depending on the advice giver)... how to put you down to bed... what's the best way to burp you... why this toy is better than that toy... the list went on and on. But all that was gone in the blink of an eye. Here's what I wish they would have told us instead:

- The kind of high chair you choose really doesn't matter. They really don't use it that long anyway. What you really need to worry about is what you feed your child and how you'll nourish her... and not just at 2 months or 3 months -- but at 2, 3, 4, 5 years old... and beyond.

- Don't worry about what kind of toys to buy or spend days researching the best educational DVDs on the market. Spend time actually playing with your child -- engaging her, enriching her, and just making her giggle.

- Yes, picking the right stroller is important. But using that stroller to take her places -- the park, the zoo, around her neighborhood -- that's what's important.

- Don't worry about creating a perfectly decorated nursery. In less time than you can imagine, the zoo or circus or Baby Pooh theme as been outgrown and you'll kick yourself as you paint over the fancy mural you just HAD to have. Instead, fill the nursery with a COMFY rocking chair (this is where to splurge - you'll spend a LOT of time in it), a soothing nightlight, a good CD player with a remote, a clock that's readable at 3 a.m. despite the dark and your bleary eyes, and lots and lots of love.

- Take TONS of pictures and videos... not just of the firsts, but of all the little moments. But be sure to put the cameras down too and share the experience with your child.

- Read the parenting books and magazines, listen to the advice -- then talk with your spouse about what's right for your family.

- Soak in every second, because you'll blink... and you'll be sending them off to Kindergarten.

That's what I wish they would have told me. But then again - maybe they did... and I just didn't listen. Or didn't understand yet. Maybe parents have to learn all this for themselves.

I love you, peanut.

All my love,
Mommy

"Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End"

Molly -

Today was your last day at your preschool -- your home away from home for the last three years. Check that -- our home away from home for the past three years.

We were so very lucky to find this fabulous little school just a mile or so down the road from our house. You started there just after you turned two. I remember - we thought you were such a big girl that day.

And then we blinked.

And now you're five.

This little school -- and all the WONDERFUL teachers there -- has transformed our little toddler into an amazing little girl. Your teachers nourtured you (and coached Daddy and me) through every developmental milestone -- from potty training to just being four. They embraced you and always cared so genuinely for you. (I'm also convinced they would call you down to the office to catch up on the latest "American Idol" scoop...)

This little school offered us our first introduction to play dates. And in the process of you making friends, Daddy and I made friends. We found and created a support network that I don't know what we'd do without.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, my dearest Molly -- your little school will always be where we started our village.

It was so hard to take you for the last time today. And as hard as it was for me, it was that hard for the teachers, owner, and director too. But they know they've given you wings -- and they are so thrilled to see you fly. Check that -- to see you soar.

There will be so many transitions in your life, Molly. I can only hope that you handle each one with grace and strength. It's hard to make a change. But always remember -- you take a piece of each experience with you in your heart. And that includes all the wonderful people you meet along the way.

It's time, my little butterfly, to stretch your wings... and fly to your new home away from home. And start your NEW adventure.

I love you, peanut.

All my love,

Mommy

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

The Kindergarten teachers at Molly's new school had a great idea -- to host a Kindergarten Boot Camp for parents at the end of May. The goal - to get us mentally and emotially ready for the big new adventure this fall.

It was a great idea and really well done. The teachers gave me some great ideas on things to work on between now and August to get Molly ready -- things like writing her name in upper and lower case... things to talk her through like the whole cafeteria process/experience... etc. I am really getting excited.

One of the things they gave us was the supplies list. And I L O V E school supplies. And I really love my Cricut machine.

So... take an old Rubbermaid tote:

Tape the supplies list on the inside...

Then spend a hour cutting away on my Cricut... and voila!

I figure that as we collect supplies for Kindergarten, we'll put them in the bin - then cart the bin to school on Kindergarten Orientation night.

Hopefully, this helps both of us get ready for Kindergarten...

A Tiny Little Ginormous Shift in Plans

Dear Molly,

If you haven't figured this out by now, your mommy is a planner. If I don't have my calendar and lists and grids in front of me, I get anxious. The fact that I have your first appointment for 2010 and I don't have my 2010 calendar yet is making me more crazy than I care to admit. All of this comes from having an engineer for a father and a elementary school teacher as a mother... that and working in PR. Sorry - it's just who I am.

So, as your Daddy and I were figuring out what to do for Kindergarten, you can imagine this was well discussed and thought out. For approximately the last year (even 18 months or so) we've known that we would send you to morning Kindergartern, then to your current preschool/daycare for afternoon Kindergarten enrichment. That way, we rationalized, it would ease your transition... and we could also still take you to daycare for the random days that school is closed (like Presidents' Day, Columbus Day, the third Wednesday of every month...).

All that changed on Wednesday.

I had your Parent/Teacher conference with Ms. Sofi.

After she told me all kinds of great things about you, she said (in her very straightforward manner): "I hear you're sending Molly to half-day Kindergartern?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Why?"

Um... uh... well...

"Molly is ready for Kindergarten."

So we talked it out... and I called Daddy, talked it out with a few folks, called Grandma... and the more we thought about it, the more we knew Ms. Sofi was right.

So tomorrow, we register you for full-day Kindergarten.

Kindergarten. My little girl. Ready to take on the big K. Ready to take on the world.