Classic

It's been a few weeks now since Pukey started Pre-k. She seems to be loving it. I love it because we have a routine every morning, and I get 4-6 glorious hours away from her (we have a half day on Wed, the other days, it's 6 hours). This is best for both of us. We value our limited time together more, and we get along much better. I have even had a playdate for her once a week (being the neat freak that I am...this is a big step for me to let not one, but two children come over and completely destroy my house).

Already at the age of 4 we have this conversation everyday:
Kage: How was your day?
P: fine
Kage: What did you do at school today?
P: nothing
Kage: Did you learn about anything?
P: no
Kage: Did you make any new friends?
P: no

Sometimes I will get yes answers to the following questions: Did you play outside? Did you eat lunch? Did you have a snack? Do you have homework?

I got a pretty good conversation going when she said to me one day: "Mom, I'll be right back," and walked over to her friend Joe. She was acting pretty flirty with Joe, so I said, "Is Joe your boyfriend?" She replied, "Yes, but he doesn't know I am his girlfriend." So, I am pretty sure it is a one-sided crush. And apparently they sit next to each other, but that won't last long, as my little Pukey can get pretty silly around boys she likes.

Last night after we prayed over our dinner, DH asked Pukey, "Do you pray at school?" She immediately put down her fork and demonstrated: As she made the sign of the cross with her pointer finger pointing to her forehead and shoulders and such, she said it perfectly: In the name of the Father, the Son.....etc. Then she clasped her hands together under her chin and said another little pray something like: God is good, God is great.....etc. and then ended again with the sign of the cross and smiled.

My husband and I just sat there in awe. We had been asking her about what she had been learning for weeks, and apparently now we know. We were not surprised because after all, it is a Catholic School. We were concerned at first, but then realized that she had never tried to pray like that for any of our family, FHE, food or primary prayers. Something in her brain isolates the one from the other. In fact, over the past few months her "mormon" prayers have gotten a lot better. For probably one whole year she included this as the bulk of her prayer: "Bless everyone to eat strong and healthy foods." I don't know where that came from, but it was her signature prayer, no matter what the occasion.

The good thing about this is that she is learning to pray over snacks and lunch. She is learning about what she has in common with other Christians, and she is showing gratitude on a daily basis. I don't remember much if anything about my schooling until about 1st grade, so I don't think she will be wanting to convert to Catholicism any time soon. This is just another example of our child going out into the world and bringing a little something home with her. It's only the beginning...