My Little Ones

I dedicate this posting to all of my former pre-schoolers… I know you’re almost grown up and will soon become the rocket scientists, literary gurus, and keg kickball champions we all knew you could be. Though three years have passed, I still remember your little hands clasped tight inside your parents’ as they walked you through the school gate, sweetly kissed you goodbye, and left me with your mischevious grins. Oh yes, you were hellions and I loved you for it. I’ve included some memories we’ve experienced together whether they be mischief, your first heartache, or friendship and shall add to the list as the memories come back to me. I miss you and I love you all.

1. Anya
On my first day of work I was on the playground and found you sobbing under a tree in your pink plaid raincoat. You said nobody would play with you because of your hair. You then proceeded to rip off your hood and reveal what remained of a self- attempted hair cut. I took one of my bob pins and glued several sparkly stars to it from the craft box. You loved it so much you put it in your hair, walked me around the playground and introduced me to all the kids as, “The cool big sister who comes to school.” Thanks.

2. Mr. John P. (about 2ft tall, 4 year old Korean boy with one nasty peanut allergy)

I’ll never forget the way your face swelled like a balloon after you accidentally ate another “friend’s” peanut butter cookie. Swollen as you were and behind your frieghtened tears, you were barely able to hold your eyes open long enough to meet my own. But when I told you your Mom would be coming you held your eyes open with determination and proclaimed, “My Mommy is the most beautiful woman in the whole wide world.”

3. Miss Mia (Anya’s sister, 5 years old),

When Eric (future model/actor type) decided he no longer wanted to play with you because he wanted to play with Ashley (the pretty new Hawaiian girl) I wanted to tell you so many things. And when you hid Ashley’s lunchbox behind the neighboring classroom’s guinea pig cage and pushed Eric off the slide, it was my job to tell you, “Be nice to your friends Mia, you don’t treat friends this way, you know that.” Then when you yelled to me, “But they’re not my friends!” and sobbed in my arms I wanted to tell you so many more things. I wish it wasn’t true, but there will always be a pretty Hawaiian girl.

4. Jack (The cutest brown-eyed troublemaker of all time)

I hope you will remain the only man to head-butt me, kick me, throw a legendary tantrum when I leave for lunch break, and then introduce me to your mom as your girlfriend all in the same day.