I never intended putting Mazzy is preschool, but the opportunity presented itself and I couldn't pass up the chance for Mazzy to attend our neighborhood preschool with her very best friend, Evan. The preschool is run by the extraordinary Mrs. K, with the help of mandatory "parent participation". She runs a great program at Sequoia and our family has really come to love her. The kids adore her and she just has a way with them.
I was one of the participating parents, working one day a week in the classroom with the kids and fellow parents. It has been a joy for me to get to know the other children and to watch Mazzy in a formal learning environment. I could not have done this without the help of Evan's parents, Ali and Stephen. Fortunately for us, we are essentially neighbors, making it easy for us to swap childcare on the days each of us worked in the classroom.
(Thank you guys so very much from the bottom of my heart.)
***
Last night I tossed and turned. I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that soon Mazzy will be heading off to REAL school. Meeting NEW friends. Learning the ways of the outside world. Letting go, inch by inch, of the saftey rope her dad and I have strung around her. Mazzy has been having playdates with Evan for almost FIVE years now. Just her and him. With the introduction of preschool, their bond became even more so, especially for Mazzy. She really just adores him. In August she will forge ahead into the scholastic world without him by her side. I'm excited to see her form new relationships and witness her social interactions, wondering if she'll favor friendships with girls over boys or vice versa. Will she still be bossy as ever? Will she learn to be listener instead of dominating the conversation at all times? Will she ever stop talking about poop?
As I was fretting last night about all of these things my mind would drift back to the joy in Mazzy's eyes as she walked out in her royal blue cap and gown. I keep telling myself,
just be in the moment with her. Don't worry about the future so much. She'll be fine, she'll be great, she'll be happy.
***
Here are some photos from her preschool graduation ceremony yesterday (yes, those are mini caps and gowns, which I have to admit seems a
little over the top, but oh so awesome at the same time).
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| Walking hand-in-hand with her teacher. |
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| This photo sums up the year pretty well. Evan with his girls in tow. (Photo taken by JC) |
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| Our little performers. |
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| Girlfriends. |
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| Ev beaming at his doting parents. |
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| The graduate. |
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| Her little thank-you speech started off, "I love you Mama." Oh my heart, you have it, little girl. |
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| She sucks in her cheeks to keep from smiling. I do the same thing. I find it adorable on her. Me? Not so much. |
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| My graduate. |
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| The most precious group of kids. |
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| Proud grandparents. |
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| Another set of proud grandparents. |
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| Proud beaming parents. |
I made sure I was in the moment for our bright, clever, beautiful little girl on this most exciting day.
