As I have mentioned before, Sophie looooves school. She loves being there, loves her friends, her teachers, and all their activities.  She was ALL excited to go back after summer break. She loves school so much that she was none too pleased when I kept her home Tuesday because she had a cold.

So imagine my surprise yesterday when I picked up my happy girl from school, before we had even made it halfway down the sidewalk, she said, “Mom, guess what?  I got a time out.”  I was shocked! First of all, I didn’t even know they gave time outs in her class, but I guess they have to do something when the kids misbehave.  And secondly, I couldn’t believe my little angel had been the misbehaver!

“Why did you get a time out?” I asked her.

“Because I pushed Ashley off the computer.”

My jaw dropped. Now I was really aghast.  ’You PUSHED ASHLEY??”

She then proceeded to confess the whole story.  They have a computer center in their class and Sophie got a little impatient when Ashley didn’t immediately vacate that center when her turn was up.  So she resorted to violence. What can I say, the girl loves her some computer!  All kidding aside though, I was pretty flummoxed.  That’s just not like Soph and she looooooves Ashley. Ashley and Julio were the first two friends she mentioned when she started this school last fall, and her affection for Ashley had not waned.

Fortunately, my little brute expressed the appropriate remorse, and we talked ad nauseum about how she should handle such situations in the future.  And then, I made her write an apology note:

I’m sure Ashley will cherish it for-ev-er. It’s like the preschool version of a yearbook signature. Today it’s “I’m sorry I pushed you”, tomorrow it’s “LYLAS, never change, have a great summer”.
Or, if I fail terribly at mothering, “Get your @$$ out of my chair before I CUT you!”

Last year at this time, I sent a very shy, uncooperative, crazy girl off to preschool.  She wanted to play but didn’t want to do any work!

Today I sent a social butterfly, a helper, a “big kid” in her class – a child who loves drawing, painting, glueing, cutting, and most of all – FRIENDS!

A year ago Sophie wasn’t a big talker and had some trouble making herself understood. This year, I sometimes want to duct tape her mouth shut in a good way, ha ha! And she has no trouble communicating effectively.

She was so excited to go to school today! She had her backpack on 20 minutes before it was time to leave. She was delighted to see her friends and teachers. She didn’t even look back at me as I dropped her off. I had to call her back for a hug!

I could not possibly be any more proud of her!! As I left her there without a qualm, I was happy for her, and happy for me. I know we’ll both have a great year!

In September, I told you all about Sophie’s first day of preschool.  And tomorrow, it will be her last day.

Well, her first last day, anyways.  Since she has a fall birthday, she will have two years of preschool. Thank God!  My heart literally hurts at the thought of kindergarten!

Sophie has changed a ton this year.  I mean a huge, huge change.  She already knew her ABCs and 123s, shapes, and colors, and all that academic stuff, but she was S-H-Y at the beginning of the year. She didn’t want much to do with the other kids.  Now, she is Miss Preschool Social 2011, and introduces herself to everyone that looks friendly at the park or the mall play place.  And, she who was once very protective of her personal space now enjoys invading others’, like she did to Andrea’s little guy Andon at our Tide Stain Release event on Sunday.

Poor Andon had no choice in the matter!

I could not be more proud of my little girl.  She has had a great year, made so many friends, and really picked up some great social skillz.  Not to mention cutting and pasting and drawing and writing her name and all that good stuff.

Sophie girl, I don’t know what I am going to do with you all summer!  But I sure am glad I got the gift of watching you become a big girl this year.  I love you SO much, and I LOVE being your mommy!