Day 2 at Kindergarten + Mary back at pre-school
Two posts in two days! How about that?!
I just have to tell you about day 2. Today we got to the bus stop 5 minutes early (no small feat). Our orange tabby cat Pumpkin was there waiting for us! (Some people would consider that a coincidence, but I know Pumpkin already has this bus thing all figured out.) Another little girl, Megan, walked up. She is our kitty-corner backyard neighbor, and they have a trampoline, plus (you’re going to think I’m really crazy now) I swear we’ve seen them ice skating in their backyard in the winter. So, clearly, she is a good friend to have. Anyway, Megan is starting 2nd grade, I think. She said shyly, “Charlotte, are you sitting next to any one on the bus?” Charlotte replied, “I’m saving the seat next to me for Mary.” (This explains why Charlotte sat alone on the bus yesterday.) Leoni (our au pair) explained (in her lovely South African accent), “But Mary won’t be ready to ride the bus with you until year after next, big girl.” “Oh, right,” said Charlotte. Then Megan asked SO SWEETLY, “Would you like to sit with me and my friend, Whitney?” Pause. “Sure!” replied Charlotte. The bus pulled up at EXACTLY 7:38 and all the kids climbed in, Charlotte following confidently right behind Megan, neither girl even looking back! All the parents (and Mary) waved to the bus, and Leoni and I stood there on the sidewalk with big lumps in our throats as the bus pulled away.
Next, we took Mary to her first day back at pre-school. I kept looking around for Charlotte, I’m so used to her being there too, in pre-K! I wanted to make sure Mary felt special, too, so we took lots of pictures — she was ADORABLE in her chunky pink and red plaid sunglasses. Leoni and I posed with Mary for a picture. We got down on our knees to be at her height. So, of course, Mary got down on her knees, too! As we said goodbye, Mary promised to make friends with the new kids and tell them jokes if they got sad.
Is there anything in life better than being a Mom??!!
Cate