The First Week

This week went so well for Little Froggy. She parted from us well and seemed to have a great time. At the end of day 1 she seemed to have made a friend. By day 3 she was crying because she didn't want to leave. She's already starting to walk in line and tell us details about her day. I know to most parents that seems mundane, but until you've lived with a child who would hardly tell you when she wants something to drink, you don't realize just how amazing it is to have your child chatter endlessly.

She's like a new kid already. She's so happy to see us every afternoon and she's more lovey when she's with us. She has a new enthusiasm for her time with us, probably because she's not stuck with me all day long. She still gets cranky, especially in the hours immediately after getting home (probably because she's tired), but it's nothing like before.

I expected to see a change. I expected to see a difference by the end of the school year, even. Three weeks is a lot of time to a child. What I didn't expect was to have her explain to me, on day four, that the reason she has scratches on her arms is because she "fell on the sticks" on the playground. For those of you who aren't used to dealing with strange children, that's her way of saying she fell on the mulch.

She's laughing so much more, even. She's always had a rather odd sense of humor but tonight, for example, she just wouldn't stop laughing. I had said something about a "sloppy mess" and she kept repeating it and laughing. As a result I'm laughing more too. It really is contagious.

So tonight, as I kiss all of the froggies goodnight and I get to Mommy's Favorite Froggy, I feel happier too. Things are going to be just fine.