Domino goes to an "alternative school" where parents are required to work a certain amount of shifts in class. Yesterday was one of my scheduled shifts. Some days working at the school is a huge chore (a room filled with 5 year olds is not my idea of fun) but yesterday was awesome. I had a blast.
Even though it was a rainy day, which usually creates kids bouncing off the walls with insane force, all the kids at school were great. Domino in particular was really engaged with his work, whether it was confidently volunteering answers for the math board, discussing the plot of the book with excitement, or studiously working on his “ABBCDC” foam shapes pattern. He just seemed so independent! Domino cleaned up work stations, threw away his trash, pushed in chairs, handled his lunch by himself… and I stood by in the sidelines and watched in amazement. At one point during snack time I heard him having a verbal spat with another girl (she swipes stuff out of his lunch bag) and it was great to stand back and watch him handle himself. At home, am I used to swooping in to be the great mediator between him and Rascal, and at school he was on his own, holding his own.
I picked Domino up, physically picked him up, to look in a window after school.
I can’t remember the last time I actually lifted him off the ground, but it must have been a while because WOW! he's a big kid now.
When did that happen?!
Then we got home.
“Mom… can you….”
“Mom… I need helllllppp….”
“Mom, Rascal swiped!”
“Mom…. I’m done!” (as in, “I’m done pooping come wipe my butt”) “Moooooommmmmmmmmmm……”
Where did the kid from school go?!
We got a beautiful fire roaring in the fireplace, put on DVD, and curled up on the couch together. Domino insisted he wanted to cuddle with me and I happily obliged. As we cozied on the couch I stroked his hair and marveled to myself how much he’s grown. He turned to me and said “I love you Mom” and I said “I love you more”.
And then I spotted it. The HUGE dried up booger sticking out his nose. I immediately stuck my finger up there and pulled it out without any protest from him.
That's when I happily realized he’s not such a big kid after all.
1 comment:
OK now that was a great post. Isn't it amazing how our K-ers are so darn bright and self-sufficient? But oh yes, they're still our wee ones down deep. I'm cherishing this year because in just a few short months, it'll be gone forever.
Thankfully, I still can baby Gorby just a couple more years...
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