Only a couple of weeks ago – very much on a whim – Rob and I decided to send Avalon to preschool this fall. The thought of school hadn’t occurred to us prior to that point, and instead I was planning on signing her up for a Mom’s Day Out program at a local church, just like she had done last spring.

I don’t know what it was that really lit my fire the day I decided to find out more information about preschool, but the same day that I called the school and then talked it over with Rob, we were 100% on board with starting preschool this year.

As expected, even though we were certain this was the right choice, I went through the entire spectrum of Motherly Emotions: from guilt (am I pushing her out of the nest too early?) to sadness (MY BABY! GROWING UP AND STUFF!) to anxiety (ZOMG, I have to get both girls up and out the door by 8:00 in the am?) to excitement (she’s going to be a genius!). And as I was riding this emotional roller coaster, I came to the conclusion that she is ready. She will love it. We would actually be doing her a disservice by not sending her to preschool and allowing her to meet and interact with new friends, learn new skills, and just generally broaden her little horizons.

Also, let’s face it: what do we do at home between the hours of 8:30-11:30 am? Um, drink coffee? Watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in our jammies?

So she has been going to school twice a week for the past two weeks now, and wouldn’t you know, she already has nailed down her multiplication tables.

Not really. I don’t even know if she has nailed down her teacher’s name yet.

But I do know that she enjoys herself, and whether or not it is evident to me yet, she is learning and growing by leaps and bounds every single day.

In addition to going to school, Avalon and I have been having a lot of educational interaction here at home too. (And, wow, doesn’t that just sound like  A BLAST? Totally just made our house sounds like Boringtown.) We’ve been playing a lot of Memory and putting together her new ABC puzzle, and just generally trying to put more effort into our time at home together.

I was discussing this with my mom yesterday, and she commented on how, when we were younger, she tried to make an effort each and every day to teach us just one thing. Only one thing! And my response?

“Wow. That’s a lot of work.”

Sounds lame, but it really means making every minute with my kids intentional. And it’s not easy; it’s a heck of a lot easier to just slap ‘em down in front of Sesame Street and let them do all the work. But I’m really taking this idea to heart, and trying to teach Avalon just one new thing every day.

It’s a major challenge (Moms, am I right?) but is also extremely fulfilling to hear her say “you’re welcome” for the first time after I thank her for putting her shoes on or hearing her say “U. Uhh.” while putting the U piece into the puzzle.

Little kids are total sponges, soaking up every little thing that they hear.

Including four letter words that we’re not going to mention.

Too smart for their own good.

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