Pretty Mama

Wild Man has recently stopped calling me "Mimi" and started calling me "Mama." He has also learned the word "pretty." This morning as he was running around our bedroom while I got dressed he took a break from chasing the cat and shouting "Pellie" at her (her name is Pearl) to watch me put on a necklace. He then held up his arms and said "Up, pwease." So I picked him up, and he proceeded to touch my necklace. He looked at me, patted my hair, and said "Pretty Mama." Then he wriggled out of my arms and resumed chasing the cat.

Blowing Kisses

Wild Man has recently added something new to his drop-off routine. A typical morning goes something like this:

• Arrive at school and cross the parking lot to the building, with Wild Man in my arms. I occasionally let him walk, which generally makes the walk about 15 times longer because he has to stop and touch every rock and blade of grass we encounter.
• Enter building.
• Say hello to the fish in the school's fish tank--"Hi, hi, hi fissies!"
• Go to classroom and wriggle out of my arms to say "Hi, hi, hi" to Miss Manna (also known as Miss Amanda) and to Miss Key (aka Miss Kelli).
• Refuse to stand still so I can take his jacket off.
• Distribute his things to the appropriate places while he finds his BFF.
• Hug BFF while screaming her name with glee.

He is usually so excited to see his buddies that I am able to leave without him getting upset; in fact, he often tells me "Bye" before I'm even ready to go! This morning we were arrived a little late, so he was just in time for snack. I stayed around while the teachers got the children situated at their little table, and then I headed out as soon as Wild Man had his goldfish crackers in front of him. I said "Mommy's leaving. I love you. Have a good day." He responded "Bye Mimi." And then he blew me a kiss! C's been trying to teach him to do this for weeks, but he has steadfastly refused to do it. This morning Wild Man did it of his own accord at just the right moment. It made my morning.