My 1st Full-time Daycare Family

S Family #1. My first full-time family - your first daycare provider. Leaving a 15-month-old Mister C with me in December of 2004 - sending "Mr. Mom" back into Big People Land. How hard that must have been, to trust someone with so much of your heart, your Little Boy. Bringing a newborn Miss Bliss to me just a few months old in 2006.

Thank you for the trust you have given me, for letting me love your children. There really isn't a bigger honor than entrusting your child with someone in my book. And I feel truly blessed that all of you have been included in the design of my life.

Our friendship tonight will change with the loss of our Monday-Friday routine of drop-off and pick-up. Where has the time gone? And why in the world did I put mascara on this morning? Can I make the font on this post small enough so that I can say what I need - and you can still read it? I've mentally written this post a hundred times in the past few months - changing course as many times as I've changed diapers (and we all know I like to change diapers often).

So I've dwelled, and now I'm dealing with it. Keeping the Kleenex handy. My tears have been intermittent and light the last few weeks, especially while mentally blogging about what to say. But my tears have been falling since last night, just after I called out "See you tomorrow - it's Friday - Cheesy Egg Day!" to Miss Bliss as she left for the day. It hit me that I wouldn't being saying that again to one of your children. Maybe you could make her some Cheesy Eggs next Friday, her and Mister C, before Preschool? That would help me a little.

It isn't just Miss Bliss I will miss - it's getting the occasional surprise visit by Mr. C when he comes for pick-up or drop-off. It is hearing Mr. S comment about how great the kitchen smells this morning, or asking how the garden is coming along, or swapping recipes with him. I'll never forget those incredible "600 Ingredient Enchiladas" he made and I tried to imitate (quite unsuccessfully I may add). It's hearing about Mrs. S's tough day at the office, or how much she missed her family while she was away on business. It's hearing about your upcoming weekend plans, and then finding out how they panned out on Monday.

It isn't good-bye, it's only a change - I must keep telling myself. We have Birthdays, play-dates, BBQs, and Holiday Parties to share ahead. It is not the end of the world, just a big change.

Last night, this morning, and tonight, I get to cry. I promise to try not to cry too hard when I say good-bye to you today. You may think I'm crying hard when you leave, but really it starts when the door closes - you really don't get to see the hard stuff. It isn't "good-bye forever", it's only a change...

And to Miss Bliss:

You will be missed. And that my dear, is an understatement. I finally found a Broken Heart in my clip-art collection for today's Daily Report. That's how I feel today, a little broken-hearted.

You came to me a little baby, and leave me a Little Girl - almost a Big Girl. Off on your first grand adventure, Preschool. You will do great - I've raised you for this day, even though it hurts to let you go (oops, forgot I wasn't your Mother for a minute).

You are determined, ornery, and stubborn: Yes, those 3 traits vary greatly from one another - you proved that to me.

You are such a "Sassy-pants" at times (times good, times bad).

You are also a delightfully silly little soul.

You have a great sense of humor for someone so young.

Your spontaneous leg hugs and kisses just melt my heart away.

Your reflective moments are beautiful to witness.

You are a daring learner.

Through your beautiful twinkling eyes, in that wild-haired-head of yours, I can "see the wheels turning".

I am retiring your sippy cup from all future daycare duty. It was your Big Brother's cup, which you inherited (despite the trucks on it) when he ventured off to Preschool. Nobody but an S-family kid could ever use that cup.

Take it, go in Peace, and SEE YOU LATER - ALLIGATOR.