Marcel started a new preschool this week, and is doing remarkably well with the transition. He is the youngest one there, and seems so at home in the space, and the routine already. A tear free goodbye this morning-which even included four kisses blown to me from across the room, followed by; “Have a good day mom!”

He sings the name of the school between deep breaths as he falls asleep at night.

As honeymoon periods go, we’ll take it.  (Today was his third 1/2 day there, and the next two will include nap time.) We were very happy where we were, yet in my heart I knew that he was ready for something new, not more. Like when you’re happy at a job for years, and could easily stay there, or you could look elsewhere because another part of you is ready to grow.

What I didn’t realize, was how much being in something that was all about him, and not one bit about Sammy, might be part of the magic too. As the third child, I had that experience when I went to a high school that neither of my older brothers attended, and it was indeed a great thing for me.

Today his new teacher (who happens to be a woman of color-a first for our family in the preschool setting) said; “I don’t know what you’re doing with that child Mama, but whatever you’re doing it’s working. He is one of the nicest, easiest, sweetest, most helpful little boys I’ve met in a long, long time.” That is of course 98% Marcel, and 2% rearing. But I’ll take that 2%!

When Sammy came in with me at pick up, and said hello to this teacher by name, (we had practiced that in the car, because proper greetings  is a skill that I’m stuck on teaching the boys) she reacted with pure joy.  She smiled large, praised his manners, and then pulled him to her, and gave him a gigantic hug.  I couldn’t have asked for a more positive reaction to why I insist that greeting someone by name is important.

Marcel’s in a great place. I’m taking credit for helping him prepare for this transition well (I’ve done this a few times as some readers might recall–Sammy for one reason or another went to four schools in five years) and Sammy is looking more and more like a kindergartener by the minute. Registrations are coming in for the October workshop, and I’m looking forward to my return to work in a new way that I can’t exactly explain, but it feels important too.

I’d say we’re coming into fall with a few solid runs up on the board, wouldn’t you?