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And Friday was that day.
We parents were invited to arrive fifteen minutes early to take pictures and as we waited for the classroom door to open, I could hear Teacher Jenelle ask the class, "Did you have fun today?" And a dozen or so little voices shouted at the top of their lungs, "YEAH!!!!!"
And I started to tear up myself.
There was a flurry of activity - each child had a ton of artwork to present. And then there was the picture taking - with the whole class, with the teacher. We all smiled through welled up eyes.
Here's my picture of Michael's class (excluding Laurel in the corner):
Now, the first thing I thought when I saw the photo was, "Wow, Michael's class is majority minority!" I know his school has a lot of Asian and Indian children but until I saw the picture I didn't realize that in his class there are actually more minorities than Caucasian kids. I have to say, I think it's really cool. I know ethnic/racial/cultural issues are WAY beyond Michael's comprehension at this time, but I'd love for him to have an inherent sense of diversity even if he doesn't understand it on a cognitive level. How nice it is that we live in an area that provides it.
Almost immediately after I noticed the diversity, though, a second thought flashed through my mind: "Who is that pint-sized, Laurelesque girl on Michael's left?" I've, of course, seen her many times in his class - she has the most adorable smile - but I hadn't really grasped how small she was until I saw all the kids lined up. And of course it makes me want to hunt down her mother and grill her with a zillion questions: Is she healthy? What tests have you done? Does she eat well? What do her doctors say?
Of course her mother would think I was the Rudest Thing On Earth (and quite possibly dangerously psychotic), which is why I won't call the school to see if I can get her contact info. But seeing another small child - one who looks to be very happy and healthy - gives me hope that perhaps I needn't worry about Laurel. So what if she hasn't gained an ounce in four months, so what if she feels like a bird when you hold her, that can be normal...right? The mere existence of that little girl in Michael's class gives me hope that Laurel will be OK.
Even if she only weighs 22 pounds on her third birthday.
2 comments:
Skye just had her 5 year old check up. She weighs 32 lbs and for the first time ever is in the 12th percentile for weight (25th for height, also a first.) She spent most of her life not even on the charts. She had only gained 4 oz by her 6 week checkup and it's been slow gaining ever since. But she's healthy and fiery and fierce. And the funniest thing is when she takes out her 5'10" tall 16 year old brother - she's learned to go for the knees!
There's nothing wrong with being petite, as long as she's healthy (spoken by a 5'2" woman who was always the littlest in her class!)
Hey, 22 pounds on the third birthday isn't so bad... Little Miss was 20 on her third birthday. And in the 75th percentile in height (3rd in weight but you know that already from your charts). She's happy and healthy... although I will say that she's ummm healthier now and definitely gaining more weight now that she's off dairy. But she still feels like a bird and turns 4 on August 1. Every child is an individual, as hard as that is to accept sometimes. But so cool on the class -- we're majorly minority in our class, too -- and having a great teacher. They make all the difference in the world. Good luck this summer and beyond in finding an equally talented and loving teacher!
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