My little birdies are learning how to fly without me. Emelia started daycare four days a week. She’s on the waitlist to get into the toddler program at her sister’s school, but for now, we are driving to two places. Hopefully, the wait won’t be too long, but Emelia is adjusting to this big change really well. She’s only ever been with me with the occasional time away, and the first few weeks have been trying in the evening when she gets home and comes down from her stimulating day.
But she’s been having a lot of fun there and we really like the staff (though we wish there was a mask policy). She’s eating way more food there than she is at home. Where at home she scoffs at the dinners we make her, apparently there she’s happily eating bell peppers, hamburgers, chili, chicken bakes, deli sandwiches, and sloppy joes.
We get lots of updates throughout the day and it’s easier knowing I can check the app and see photos of her having fun.
Olivia had kindergarten open house, with that day being a “practice day.” It was surreal dropping her off at kindergarten, even with it being practice. But she had a lot of fun and loved being able to show us her locker, classroom, and gym that evening at open house. She loves that she gets to wear slippers in her classroom.
I can’t believe she’s already in kindergarten. I mean, I really can’t. She just looks so much more grown up in this last year.
I wasn’t sure if I would really cry the first day, but I did, walking away from her as she joined her classmates. But I think she’s really going to thrive there and she can’t wait to learn how to read.
I had to pull her out during the lunch hour one day for a dentist appointment and afterward asked her if she wanted to eat her lunch outside at our favorite coffee shop. I was met with an enthusiastic yes and now she’s been regularly asking to do the same thing again.
It’s been challenging in the evening to get quality time with her, especially since she’s gone five days a week. One afternoon, after picking her up, I decided to knock off work early and we went on an adventure, getting smoothies, going on a walk, even going into an antique store which she’s always up for.
She’s been so amazing at wearing a mask at school. She doesn’t complain and doesn’t feel embarrassed about it. There is only a small handful of other kids wearing masks and none of the staff in the school wear them. It’s incredibly disheartening that she doesn’t have that positive example during the day, but man, she’s a trooper. She knows she wears a mask to protect herself and other people from “the coronavirus.” I’m so proud of her.
I struggle with wondering if I’m doing the right thing. Sending her to school wearing a mask while the majority don’t. Her having to interact with the other kids without them seeing her face. It sucks. I can’t believe we’re still doing this. There’s already been a positive case in the school, and luckily they only had to shut down for one day since it wasn’t in her class.
I have no idea what the winter is going to bring, but I’m just going to have to take it as it comes.
Kids don’t seem to care about masks- at least my kids don’t care. I’m so thankful that my state has been following the science and requiring masks. It makes it a lot easier to send my kids to school. I think that it is better to be safe and have your daughter wear a mask…especially with Omicron which is super contagious.
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She really doesn’t. She does way better than some adults I know. 🙂 I’m gearing up to send another email and be THAT mom again. I mean, at some point, with all these positives, something has to change. Right? Right? Maybe not. We’ll see what happens.