Dear Nellie,
On your first day of preschool, you looked like this:
We stopped by Woldumar on the way to Lansing Christian to show off your new school look to dad. It was Brown Day, but it was hard enough to get you to wear anything at all. We compromised, because the soles of your "fancy sandals" that you picked out on your birthday are brown. Someday, if you see this picture and complain about some part of your appearance, keep in mind that you cut your own hair a couple of weeks ago and we had to take an emergency trip to the salon. You had a large chunk of very short hair over your right ear, but you really liked your hair in a side ponytail like that (probably because daddy did your hair like that once.)
When asked if you were excited about preschool, you would say "yes, but I'm a little nervous." So daddy bought you a hippo necklace in the gift shop and told you to look at it when you felt nervous, then to go ask someone in your class if they wanted to play with you.
By the time I left you, you were already playing castle with Emma and barely said good-bye. When I picked you up three hours later, you knew a Bible verse, a new song about monkeys, and had lots of stories about being the Razzle Dazzle girl (you were the first special person!) You wore a crown and got to make announcements for the teacher. You probably think you are the queen of preschool. You also got to bring snack--yogurt smoothies and yours was banana-flavored--and show-and-tell. You brought the ultrasound pictures of baby brother's profile.
I am very, very glad you are starting school. You have been ready for too long. But Annie and I missed you. She asked "where's my NeNe?" about 100 times on the way home. Don't worry, all you missed was Annie taking a nap and me working on a paper. Really, though, when did you get so big?
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Dear Nellie,
On your last day of preschool, you looked like this:
You still like to wear what "feels right," but your hair has grown out some. :) When I dropped you off the first day, I was excited for you. Today, I couldn't stop crying. I don't know why - I'm looking forward to spending long summer days with you, and overall preschool was a great experience. Maybe it's because you've learned so many things I didn't teach you. Maybe it's because it doesn't seem like you changed that much, but really, you did. Maybe it's just been a long, hard, but wonderful year full of changes (like a new brother). Maybe it's because I don't know what comes next - we're still deciding between Grand Ledge and Lansing Christian for kindergarten. I really don't know.
I do know that I'm proud of you. You are spunky, stubborn, and strong-willed, which makes for lots of long days. We're different, you and I, and already, I'm not sure we always understand each other. But I'm learning to be more patient. I hope you can be patient with me!
The other day, we were leaving for a baseball game, and you very sweetly asked if I'd buckle your seat belt. (This is a point of contention. I want you to do it yourself, you get frustrated because it always gets twisted.) I did. You said, "thanks Mommy, I really have my hands full!" You looked down at your hands, then put your goldfish crackers in your lap. Opening your arms wide, you exclaimed, "I've got my hands full of love!" and gave me a big hug. Seriously, where do you come up with this stuff?
Just for the record, here are some pictures of your supportive siblings. We love you, Nellie!
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| Annie's trying not to smile. She was super grouchy because she really wanted a brownie, and didn't like that she wasn't the center of Nellie's attention like she usually is all day, every day |
