At the Playground

It was 60 degrees and sunny on Sunday, so Daddy took Mia to the playground.

Miss Hollywood

I took this photo on "ballet day." On Wednesdays, all the girls in Mia's class have a ballet lesson. The girls wear their leotards in the morning and the teachers change them into street clothes after class. When I saw her in this get-up, I had to get out the camera. Mia loves her new silver coat. I'm also happy that she is wearing her sunglasses more often. I am big believer in sunglasses, but to this point haven't had much success getting Mia to wear them.

Chinese New Year

We celebrated Chinese New Year (a week late) yesterday. Our China playgroup got together for lunch at a Chinese restaurant. The timing was a bit challenging - right smack dab in the middle of Mia's normal naptime. Other than that, Mia had a good time. There were about 15 girls from age 3 to 8 or so. A highlight was when the girls took turns parading around the restaurant in a "lion" head. (It looked more like a dragon to me, but the father who brought it said it was a lion.) Mia had a couple of spins with the lion, once in the middle (bottom photo) and another time in the head (shown being carried by another girl).

This morning, Mia's preschool teacher asked her if she had a nice weekend. Mia nodded, saying, "I saw my Chinese friends."

School Daze

Mia is adjusting to her new school and new schedule quite well. She likes her teachers and classmates a lot. It is a lot different than her previous school. There are more children in this class and they are on different arrival and departure schedules. Mia is usually there from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. or so. One thing I really like is that the school provides lunch and snacks. I've never been a fan of the brown bag, myself.

Most mornings, Mia clutches my leg as we enter the classroom. She is clingy and doesn't want me to leave. I mean she really doesn't want me to leave. She holds me tightly and cries until we can get her interested in an activity. At least 50% of the time, one of the teachers has to physically separate her from me. I hate doing it, but I know that she is perfectly fine within 20 seconds after I leave the classroom. (I peek back in through the one-way glass, just to be sure.)

It is a busy place with lots of different activities and electives. (Electives include swimming lessons, ballet, and gymnastics. As much as your child wants and your checkbook can absorb.) Mia and I are getting in the rhythm of things. I have to remember to dress her appropriately and/or pack her backpack each day. Since my workday is anything but predictable, I like helping Mia stay on her schedule.

Mondays: Wear sneakers for PE class. Encourage Mia to wear pants.

Wednesdays: Pack swimsuit, goggles, towel, warm cover-up, and jellies for swimming lessons. Ask Mia what she wants to bring for "Show and Share" and be sure it goes in the backpack in the morning and comes back home that night.

Thursdays: Dress Mia in her leotard, tights, and ballet slippers in the morning. Put a change of clothes, shoes, and socks in the backpack, as the teachers change the girls into their street clothes after ballet class (which is attended by all the girls in the class).

Friday: Take home the sheet and blanket Mia uses during naptime. Launder and make sure they get back in the backpack for Monday.

I really look forward to going to pick Mia up each afternoon. Each day, the teachers create a flipchart where each child says what they liked best about their day. Since Mia doesn't talk a lot about her day, other than the occasional, "Lilah forgot her goggles but I didn't," or "Michael took my toy and I cried," I like having this tiny little window on her day.

I should mention that while Mia doesn't want me to leave in the morning, I have a hard time getting her to leave in the afternoon as well. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

A Hallmark Moment

Alas, the cameras weren't rolling, but we had one of those moments tonight that I hope I never forget. Mia and Jeff had gone to the grocery store together. While there, they picked up a Valentine's bouquet. (White roses, which I love.) On the way home, Mia commented on how nice the flowers were, so Jeff suggested that Mia could present them to me. He says there was no more coaching, the rest was her invention.

From my office upstairs, I could hear the back door opening and Jeff saying, "Okay, go give them to Mom." I went downstairs to find Mia holding the bouquet, looking very serious. She was dressed in her navy velveteen dress (a little dressy for everyday, but she loves it so I allow it) and lavender sweater.

Mia: Mom, these are for you. I buyed them for you.

Me: Oh, Mia, they are beautiful flowers! They smell just like spring.

Mia: I really love you, Mom.

Me: I really love you, honey.

Mia: You're my best friend.

Me: Thank you. You're my best friend, too.

Mia: I know. I really love you, Mom.

New School

This week I decided that one of the challenges of maintaining a blog is that the more that happens, the less time you have to write about it. We've had a busy week here. Mia started at a new preschool on Monday, and I've been trying to keep up with the new schedule and requirements.

This program is a full day, meaning Mia naps there. The teacher reported she didn't nap the first day, and asked me what helps her fall asleep at night. Boy, it is hard to give a short answer to that question. Fortunately, Mia got in synch with her classmates by Tuesday.

I've spent a bit of time in the class this week, and picked up some phrases that will come in handy in helping Mia become the best 3-year-old she can be. A few of my favorites:

Ballet Instructor (when one of the ballerinas pointed out that another ballerina was continuing to cry for no discernible reason): "Everybody is different. We don't say things that make other people feel bad."

Teacher (as she distributes ribbons in different colors): "You git what you git and you don't pitch a fit."

We've always had difficulty getting Mia to tell us anything about her day at preschool, so imagine my surprise this evening when she responded to Auntie Paula's query.

Paula: How do you like your new school?

Mia (after hesitation): My new school is......... perfect.

Mia smiles a big, contented smile. Her mother smiles because she doesn't think she has ever heard Mia declare anything to be perfect.