Back From Christmas Break, Already?

Prior to the preschool closing for one week, I had a new discovery. If you give a preschool child no limits on the amount of candy cookie decorating topping options they can use, they will undoubtedly prove that they have none. I am almost certain that each cookie weighed at least five pounds, three pounds were frosting. Can anyone say hypertension?

Now in the two days back since the Christmas break, I have one question. Was it Bill Cosby who said that kids have "brain damage?"

Being away from children, having the school closed for that one week, I had forgotten what a high pitch scream a certain child had. I remember now.

Another child whose speech is delayed and therefore is more physical than other children his age, decided the best way to welcome me back was with a nice sharp punch to the shoulder and then a lean in hug; nothing like passive aggressive love.

I learned a few new things today:

One- it is more entertaining to paint the bathroom mirror with a toothbrush dripping with toothpaste than it is to brush your teeth.

Two- another child continually poking you in the back for longer than the twenty minutes of circle time will even provoke the most pacifist child to poke back. Do unto others is a natural instinct at this level.

Three- a chicken nugget if referred to as a dog bone and if shaken while chasing other children around a table can create quite a riot.

One week is a long time from a child’s perspective. I have been referred to as Mommy and Grandma more than once by more than three separate children.

Favorite toy of the day was a Lightning McQueen diesel truck a child brought to share. Or so his mom and I thought. Much like not tattling, sharing at the preschool level is an ongoing lesson that must be re taught every three minutes. This truck ended up being used like a ball and children tested each other to see who could get it closest to landing in the neighbors tree. Luckily no one won. The truck got a time out.

Thought for the day:

Preschool toys that are actually used for their intended use is rare.

In the ten years that my preschool has been in operation only once has a child pulled the emergency security alarm which creates an unbearably loud sound that can be heard in the town thirty minutes away. Lucky for me I can now say, twice. And I no longer can hear out of my left ear. Welcome back Miss Lori.

Another day in a child’s world.