Campbelle started her second year of full-time preschool last week, but just had her first “full” day today. I was absolutely amazed, last year, at how easily she made the transition from home with me 5 days a week, to school and daycare… 5 days a week. On most days I would snuggle her to a waking state, lay out her clothes, and then go and fish her baby sister out of bed… and we were off and running. She was excited, curious, and had so much to look forward to each and every day. She had teachers that she loved, and well… I must say… she was somewhat of a little celebrity at school. All of the big kids knew who she was… because she is Mrs. V’s adorable daughter!
This year, things haven’t changed much! She still has longer days than most middle school students, and she is doing very well. We did hit a bit of a rough patch last week… she came screaming into my classroom on 2 separate occasions, when things were not going her way.
On most days it is a blessing to be able to look out of my classroom window and see her progress throughout the day… but last week it was a bit of a curse… as she came ripping into my classroom… screaming at the top of her lungs… and disturbed my entire class. She had to be torn from my leg by her new preschool teacher (who I adore), and eventually recovered just fine. Apparently she had to wait her turn to use the tricycle… and that was just way too much for her to bare! My gut says that she is having a bit of trouble adjusting to being the “big kid” on the preschool block. Most of her close buddies are almost 6 months older than her, and they have been slotted for the Jr. Kindergarten program. Campbelle is too young for Jr. Kindergarten, but is a veteran in the preschool and one of the older kids over there! She just doesn’t understand why she can’t be with her friends.
The other day she was inquiring about that very issue:
Campbelle: Mommy I want to be in Mrs. Brucker’s class with Annika and Jakey!!
Me: Well, you aren’t old enough to be in that class this year. But I’m sure you’ll see your friends on the playground.
Campbelle: But Mommy… Annika is 4 years old just like me. Why does she get to be in Mrs. Brucker’s class?
Me: Annika is a few months older than you… so she is old enough to be in Jr. Kindergarten!
Campbelle: (long pause… thinking… thinking) Can you make me bigger like Annika?
Me: No
Campbelle: (whining) WHY!! I want to be bigger.
Me: It’s not just about being bigger… it’s about being OLDER! You are not old enough.
Campbelle: (pause again… thinking again) Well, who can make me older? Can God make me older?
Such a cute dialog… she just wants to be older… so that she can be with her buddies!
Sadly, I’m sure this is only the first of many circumstances to come, where she will wish she were older!
Eventually… at some point… we all reach that magical age where we no longer want to be OLDER anymore!
For now… here is my big girl… who is not quite BIG enough… but she is plenty big for me. I’m in absolutely NO hurry for her to grow up!
excuse the pixilated quality of these photos… they were captured from the Etsy sight where I purchased them for my little boy on the way. I can’t wait to get them in the mail… then to see him in them! (I think I can wait at least a few weeks to see them on him 
)
