Dear Preschooler- We’ll still Celebrate

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preschooler holding a cucumber

Buddy!

This was going to be your year, you were finally going to join your big sister at school. You were going to make your own friends, wear the same uniform she wore, and finally have a space of your own. You were ready, I was ready, your dad was ready. Your sister was still on the fence, of course! You’re potty trained, you know your letters, colors, and shapes, and you were on your way to being a Preschooler!

But then, Covid happened, and now I don’t know what we will do!

What I do know is this; your preschool years might look a little different, but that’s ok! This summer, you learned how to swim and ride a bike, you have been accident-free, and you’re playing more independently. You’re coming into your own, you try any food we put in front of you, and you still confuse potatoes and tomatoes but I love you all the same.

You adore your big cousins and think they are perfect and the coolest people around, you are learning ballet and you love to sing (you don’t stop singing, even in your sleep.) You have a love of cars and trains just like daddy and you always want to be in the know. You absolutely suffer from fear of missing out and you’re never too far behind your sister. You love so boldly and deeply, you have the most infectious laugh, and give the best hugs.

Since we don’t know what school will look like this fall we’ve started slowly teaching you. You planted a garden, which you water every day and you grew your own zucchini. You’re slowly learning sight words, and understanding basic math concepts. You work so hard every day, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Even though we don’t know what the fall will look like, I did what any other mother would do- I put your face mask on you and took you to target to pick out all your back-to-school supplies. I bought you a new backpack, lunchbox, and water bottle. You picked them out yourself and just had to have them.  You helped pick out your new sneakers and socks, and you even told me what to pack in your lunch for the first day. You’re like me and like to plan far ahead.

There’s a good chance you won’t be starting in the fall as planned, but I will still make you a first day of school sign. I will take your picture and I will tell you how proud I am of you. I’ll get you a cupcake to celebrate your first day and I will ask you what your favorite part was and how excited you were.

Just because this year looks a little different doesn’t mean it won’t be a reason to celebrate. I will be just as excited for you as I was for your sister, and I’ll do everything I can to make it special and fun. Covid won’t take away the extra time I get with you, here’s to you, Buddy, my Preschooler, and all your friends!