My Independent Girl

My dear Mekayla has always been an independent girl. Probably from the moment she was born she had exhibited her independent streak but it couldn't have been more evident when she attended her 1st day of preschool. Now don't get me wrong. We had prepped her for school for months. We'd taken her on several tours of various schools and on the Friday before school started we went in for Drop In Day where she got to see her class again and meet her teacher, Ms Judy.

That Monday morning, as we walked into her class, she just ran into the room and picked up the 1st toy she could find. Mommy and Daddy were clearly forgotten, left to put away her lunch box for her and stand all lonesome in the corner of the classroom taking pictures of this momentous occasion. After about 10 minutes (of which she barely noticed we were there), she ran up with a toy to show us. It was by this point we had to leave however. They advise us not to stay too long - messes up the whole transition to preschool thing - Transition? What transition? Did you not just see how she ran into the room and made herself at home???

Anyway, here came the big goodbye:

Mommy and Daddy: Okay Mekayla, we have to go now. Have a good day at school.
Mekayla (barely looks up from her toy): Okay. Bye.
Mommy and Daddy: How about some hugs and kisses?
Mekayla: Okay. (Provides momentary consolation hugs and kisses)
Mommy and Daddy: Bye.
Mekayla: Bye. (Still playing with her toy)

As I'm driving away, I'm suddenly hit with the realization that my big girl is not in the car with me. It's awfully quiet without her little chatter (she talks non-stop these days - as her teacher will attest later). So I did the only thing I knew to do. I drove to Cupertino to Sheng Kee bakery to get 4 red bean buns and then to the quilt store for some fabric therapy. It was a very poignant moment when I discovered that I was missing her more than I thought I would. I thought that I would be glad for the break from having two of them anchored to my ankles constantly but I missed having her around not matter how irritating she could be sometimes. Miss tough Momma was not so tough after all. And you know what? Miss Independant Mekayla did just great at school. To find out more about what it was like when we picked her up, go visit Carter's blog.

Today is Friday and she has had three awesome days at school and loves it. She comes home singing the songs she's learned that day at school. Day 1 and 2 was "Jesus loves me this I know..." and today it was "Please shine down on me" as well as "Head and shoulders knees and toes". She has developed such a wonderful confidence in those 3 short days that I am continually amazed and indescribably proud of her. I'm so happy with the preschool we picked for her (Achiever Christian School) and thrilled that I can leave her there and know she is in very good hands and treated with care and handled with the grace she needs.

Regarding Mommy's quilt therapy, I got nice hugs from the dear ladies at Prairie Queens Quilt shop when I walked in. It wasn't really fabric therapy. I actually had to get some red fabric for a Civil War quilt I'm making for a very special Civil War fan - more on that and the other quilts I'm currently working on later. BTW, I'm totally loving this new hobby of mine and the "Back to Basics" class I'm taking with Debbie and Mary at Prairie Queens. Learning soooo much. Thanks ladies.

Chicken and Eggs According to Mekayla

At bedtime tonight after her story:

Mekayla: Mommy, do you like chickens?
Mommy: Yes. Chickens give us eggs. I like to eat eggs.
Mekayla: Oh. But we can't eat bird eggs. They have birds in them. And I already ate the chicken eggs.
Mommy: Yeah. Okay. We don't eat bird eggs. They have birds in them. But we can eat chicken eggs. They don't have chicks in them.
Mekayla: Oh. They don't have chicks in them. Yeah we can eat chicken eggs. We let the chicks hop out first then we eat the eggs...

Hmm... Okay.

Nadia Walking Video

Here's the video I promised of Nadia walking. It's on Carter's blog. By the way, is is quite the pro at walking now and is even trying to run. So much for baby steps.