Pre-K3

Today was Elyse's first day of Pre-K3.  She LOVES preschool.  I mean really, really loves it.  When we pull in she runs to her class, when we pull away she asks to go back.  Either it's great there, or rotten at home.....hopefully it isn't the latter.

One of my favorite things she's into lately is fire.  She used to be fearful of it, a healthy fear of course, but also to the point that she wouldn't blow out the candles on her birthday cake.  Since hearing about how God spoke to Moses through a burning bush she is very intrigued by fire.  Anytime she sees a flame now she starts shouting "Look mommy, a fire just like with Moses!".  I'm just hoping she doesn't walk up to an open flame and try start a conversation with it!  They made a hand-print painting with a cute poem about the first day of the new school year today and then were given crayons to color it.  With some concern, her teacher handed me Elyse's work and said, "Elyse colored fire today, a lot of it."  So, I guess I have the pyro kid at school.  Great way to start the year.  Don't worry, I did explain to her teacher that she recently learned about Moses and the burning bush.  Her teacher gave a genuine laugh and seemed pleased as well as relieved.

We had our neighbors five year old daughter over for dinner last week and the conversations between the two of them were adorable.  It was evident they knew they were supposed to make conversation, but at the same time, had no idea how to do that or what to talk about.  The five year old started talking about how she went to a wedding at a church and the flower girl lost her tooth.  Elyse tried to drum-up a church story of her own and told the little girl how her church has bushes that are on fire.  Neither knew how to comment on the others story.  It was adorable.

With the little ones at church, from a very young age, they hear repeatedly, "God loves me.  God made me.  And Jesus wants to be my friend."  Elyse says this at random times and I've heard her saying to Adley.  Those 3 phrases are so simple but if she can believe in their truth whole-heartedly, they will carry her for the rest of her life.  It may be a little soon for her, but I'm trying to take it a step further and teach her that those 3 things are true for every single person in the whole wide world, whether they are aware of it or not.

We're entering the phase of "we do (......) but why don't they?"

She's realizing that some moms go to work.  Some dads don't get on airplanes and sleep away from home.  Some of her friends don't go to her preschool, some of her friends go to elementary school, and some don't go to school at all.  Some people don't go to church.  Some people use yucky words.  Some people make choices that are not choices we are okay with.  Some boys wear earrings and have long hair.  Some girls have short hair.  Some people eat stuff she isn't allowed to.  Some kids don't get in trouble for things she would.  She has commented on all of these things.

Seeing a thin layer of innocence shed with each new realization is difficult for me.  It's difficult because it saddens me, but it also challenges me to do my best to remain consistent.  To make sure truth is spoken in her life.  To ensure her foundation is reliable even though the world she lives in isn't.

I'm still trying to figure out a good, consistent comeback phrase for when she asks "But they don't/do (.......) at their house!"  I'd love to hear some suggestions on that one.

 The bandanna didn't make it to school. 

That is one blonde kiddo!  Sometimes I lose sight of how blonde she is until I see it in a picture.