Our Birdie, a Pre-Kindergartner

Birdie had a first today, too: her first day in the pre-K room at the KinderCare.  She'd been spending most of her days last week there, but today was her first official day in that room.  It was also the first day there without the graduating kindergartners-to-be still in the mix and--perhaps more important--both Daphne and Silvia who are both attending different pre-K programs this year in advance of attending different elementary schools.  She has other friends, but Daphne and Silvia have been her most constant companions at school for the past four years.  It's always tough to be parted from a friend, and even if new beginnings are not without excitement, they are also largely without the comfort of the familiar.  We think this craving of the familiar is why last week Clara told Julie through tears at drop-off that she was crying because sometimes, she missed Mommy and just wanted to be home with her.  Frankly, Julie sometimes just misses Birdie and wants to be home with her.  Julie acknowledged as much, but also said that there are times we have to be strong and brave and these are such times.  Tough stuff no matter how old you are.  But when Julie and Joe arrived for pick-up during afternoon story time, as is usually the case, Birdie was sitting up in the very, very front and did not want to leave until the story was over.

So she is making her way.  She is already writing her first and last name on the sign-in board outside of the room.  She's getting better at her lowercase Ks and Es and totally has the three arms only on the uppercase E bit down.  She rocks a backpack.  Although it is not required, Our Birdie never really met an accessory she didn't like (especially if Big Brother Joe has it, too!), and this one has Elsa and Anna on it--and it lights up with twinkle lights when hit as Biride will demonstrate for you at every possible opportunity.  It's not as good as snuggling in at home with Mommy (or Daddy), but a twinkly accessory can help a lot.