Heart-Full Heart Day Party

Yesterday, BJ's preschool had their Valentine's Day party, so all of us walked over to attend. (Let me say again how nice it is to be able to walk there now!) BJ only goes to preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so we would only be staying for the party. S had to teach at 10:30, so he was only able to be there for a little while, but it was nice to have the whole family there for a bit.

I was amazed at how well the kids behaved. All of the kids, really! They were excited, of course, but not unruly. Their teacher did a great job of organizing everything and keeping some kids occupied while others were delivering valentines to the cereal-box mailboxes the kids had made. It helped too that many of the parents had come to participate in the party. Even so, I was impressed. And I was so proud of BJ -- he's come so far to be so comfortable at preschool!

After a little coaxing, BJ let BB help him deliver some of the valentines he had made. He had a great time going around and putting them in the right boxes.





I'd worried that BB would feel left out, with all the goodies being passed around and none for her. But I told her that when she's a bit bigger and going to preschool, then she'll do things like Valentine's Day parties. She accepted that explanation without any problem at all. (We'd like to start her soon, certainly by summer. Just a matter of everything working its way out, including family finances and a spot opening up at the school.)

The teacher had the kids deliver their valentines in batches, so those who were not delivering were sitting on the circle time rug to listen to stories and sing songs. When we'd finished, we joined the group on the rug. And I had one of those heart-full Mommy Moments that are so wonderful (if a little embarassing).

There's something about adults singing with children, especially parents with kids -- especially somewhat sentimental songs -- that really chokes me up. For me, it gets at something fundamentally beautiful and true about how hard most folks try to be good with the little ones in their lives. So when the teacher pulled out one of the classroom favorites for the kids to sing along and plunked in the CD, I should have known what was coming.

But even so, I was surprised to find myself openly weeping as the kids and parents sang John Denver's "Country Roads." It just squoze my heart to see my little guy singing with such abandon -- and to see my little girl trying her best to sing along -- and to witness all the grown ups with kids in their laps, joining in the chorus. Good thing the teacher's desk with a box of tissues was right there alongside where I was sitting! So I grabbed a Kleenex and sang through my tears with a big smile on my face.

And then we got to the important business of opening BJ's valentines!