Friday, August 30, 2013

He's a-MAZE-ing

My child loves mazes.

He likes to solve them, but what he really loves is to create them.

And he's good.

Normally he uses the Magna-doodle (always carefully avoiding the section of the screen on the left-hand side that is "ruined").







But tonight he saw my post-its as a temptation he could not resist.



Time and again he would draw me a maze and then laugh whenever I would run into one of his dead-ends.  Sometimes the mazes are straight-lined, like hallways in a nonsensical building.  Other times they are more free-spirited, looking like a brain section with narrow, circular passageways.  Then he will throw in some "temple run" mazes that have gaps you must jump over and lava to avoid.

And as I run my pencil through each maze, all I can think is, wow.  This little person has such a complex mind.  This little person can generate elaborate, insightful ideas.  This little person is not as little as he used to be, and he will never be this little again.

Of all the spirits waiting to come to earth, Heavenly Father sent this one to me.  Specifically to me.  Not by accident or through a random drawing.  He looked down here and said, "I found a mommy just for you.  You will need her and she will need you.  But mostly she will need you."


Topher, I am so proud of you.  I love your compassionate spirit and your subtle complexities.

Sometimes I want to shrink down with you until we are the size of fleas.  We could live in a world full of your mazes and wander around forever.  Whenever we hit a dead end, we could just snuggle for awhile and worry about finding our way out later.

I know later will come.  I know you will grow bigger and that you will forge your own life, and I will be so proud of you as you do that, too.  

But just for right now, here's another stack of post-its.  And I promise I will wind my way through every maze you pen.

--KC

Preschool: Round Two

All I can say is thank goodness we did preschool last year.  

Because we were able to stick with the same head teacher in the same classroom, it has made this year a complete breeze.  Add in that we got the afternoon time slot, the fact that we can now drop him off at the back door right by his classroom, and that Iowa has a grant making 4-year-old preschool totally FREE...and I am one extremely happy mama.  I mean really, how did I get so lucky??

When school started on Monday, Topher ran right in.  
When it was over, he came out and told me that he "was good all day."  

And that's how this whole week has gone.  

First day of 4-year-old preschool

Quick pic with daddy before work:


Holding up the sign:

                                                

"When I grow up I want to be myself."  Maybe my favorite thing he has ever said.

                                       

Topher and mommy:


 Topher and Rylie (the girl I watch during the week).  They are in the exact same preschool class so it's just the greatest thing ever.


Running to their class (Topher is saying, "Follow me!") 


 Finding his locker and hanging up his bag:


Let the fun begin:


There's my big, brave boy:


I'm going to enjoy this year while I can.  I know that next year will be a HUGE change.  It will be a new teacher in a new school, for one thing.  Plus kindergarten will last 7 hours, five days a week.  (Preschool was 3 days a week last year and is 4 days a week this year.  And it's only 2.5 hours per day.)

I'm nervous just thinking about it.  But at least I know that we are giving him every advantage and every opportunity to ease into his schooling career.

And hopefully one day he will be receiving a fancy diploma in the major of "being yourself."  

Because I never want him to become anything else.

--KC