Muffins with Mom

Today was a special day at Ella's school ... "Muffins with Mom" ... kids got to bring their Moms to school to enjoy breakfast in the cafeteria with them.  I don't know who was more excited -- me or Ella.  I was super excited to be part of my little girl's day in the place where I literally feel "out of touch".

Seriously, she has this whole circle of friends that I know nothing about!  We walk down the halls and everyone says, "Hi Ella" ...  and she gets so excited when she sees her friends and seems to know all the teachers and aides.  I know this is normal, but my goodness, she is only 4 years old and she has this whole other world ...!

When we got to school, I asked her to take me to her locker so we could put her stuff away before breakfast, and she did just that.  Walked me right where we needed to go.

After we hung up her coat, she showed me her classroom and some of the exciting pictures in the hall ... and "Mommy" got all misty eyed, because I remembered how long we waited to be parents and the gift our little girl is.  Plus, I remember going to this very school when I was in 4th grade, and I have my own memories of those hallways ... to think that my little girl is now walking those same hallways just makes me very nostalgic.

After our little tour of her classroom area, I asked her to take me to the cafeteria so we could have breakfast, and she proudly grabbed my hand and walked me there.  And then she "took over" showing me where I check in with the cafeteria lady, where I get my plate and milk and food ... and NO "Mama" couldn't carry it for her.  She would carry her own plate, thank you very much :)  Then she found a spot to sit by some of her friends and their Moms and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

After breakfast, it was time to clean up, and once again she carried her own plate to the garbage and cleaned up her spot at the table.  She was so proud to show me the ropes of what I had to do.  And I also was so proud of my little girl.  She may be behind her peers ... but she has not been left in the dust ... she is getting there.  

We then headed to the gym to meet  up with her classmates and teachers.  There were so many kids who rode the bus and whose parents did not take part in the special day.  I felt kind of bad for them.  I know it is not possible for all parents due to work schedules etc., but it sure was a treat for me to have this peek into Ella's day.  

Here's where it got tricky though ... she did NOT want me to go.  She wanted me to stay and got very sad when I had to leave.  Of course that made me sad too ... but it also made me feel loved.  I know there will come a day when Ella is not quite as proud of her Mom, and so for today I am enjoying the fact that she still wants me around ... and I'm loving being a Mom.  Not just any Mom though, I'm loving being Ella's Mom!