Changes...They are a coming

Changes. Things will be different. That seems to be the thrumming in the background noise at house this past week. Last Monday, Maia had her last day of preschool. On Friday, she had her last day at her sitter's. Changes.

August 2016 - her first of two
years at preschool.

Preschool

For the last two years, Maia attended a preschool close to my office, and I spent the last two years feeling like her chauffeur (Driving Miss Maia!). This year was particularly taxing at times. Her class was three days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday - from 9am to 1:30pm. After picking her up, I would come home with her. The money we saved on taking her to a sitter those days essentially paid for the preschool. Always felt like a no brainer.

The flip side was that I was going from typically working 5 full days with some weekends to 2 full days and 3 half days, which basically guaranteed working most every night and every weekend. Getting that separation and space from my work, which I so value, was an increasingly difficult proposition; particularly so as work got busier.

But it really was a no-brainer. The ability to have Maia in this preschool program for 3 days, with a very play based curriculum, was in her best interest. And Maia has blossomed in the past year, growing more and more into a fiercely independent, passionate, and kind kid. I knew all along that one of the great benefits of my job was its flexibility; and it was its flexibility that allowed this preschool experience to happen. For that, I am grateful. But I'm also grateful that it is finished, and I can resume a somewhat more normal work schedule, and find more regular times for mental health breaks from my work.

August 2017 - ready for year two.

Last Day at the Sitter's

For the last five years, since Maia was two months old and Jackie had to go back to work, Maia has gone to the same sitter. She ran a home daycare just around the block from our house, usually only having 3-6 kids at a time, with more kids sometimes present for bus pickup or drop off. It always felt like an ideal situation - the location couldn't be more convenient, she always worked with our sometimes irregular schedule. 

Most importantly, Maia loved going there. As I was usually dropping her off, I was always grateful for that - grateful that I didn't have to leave an upset kid before heading to work. But, Jackie had her last day today, so with summer break her and Maia will spend together, before Maia heads to Kindergarten in the Fall (I can't believe I just typed that).

There's a funny feeling thinking about it all; remembering taking Maia over there when she still fit in the crook of my arm, and now seeing Maia bound inside with enthusiasm. Like preschool, its a chapter in our life, and in Maia's life, that is now complete.

A couple weeks ago at the zoo, petitioning for a zebra.

Turning the Page

So, we turn the page to the next chapter, the next stages. Kindergarten feels, at least from the distance of a couple months, like a watershed moment. Maia's world, though it grew with her experiences and friends she made at preschool, it about to grow exponentially. By default, this means that Jackie and my world will also grow, though in different ways.

When I look ahead and then try to stop and reflect, I don't really have a sense of fear or nervousness, or even excitement. As of right now, its just a mindfulness and acknowledgement that these changes are coming, and a reminder to remain grateful for the present.