It was neat. They had us sign in, which AJ decided to write her own name in the sign in sheet. They really thought that was neat. Then she got a strip of construction paper wrapped around her wrist (there were 3 colors and she got blue). After that it was like a trade fair of tables related to kid things and school stuff. She met a few mascots from different organizations and got some temporary tattoos.

We moved onto the cafeteria which had two tables set up with High School kids and games for the kids. Food (hot dogs) and snacks (cookies or apples). Well I took AJ for a walk around and the High Schoolers asked if she wanted to play a game. These 8 kids were squished together and chit chatting so I think they needed AJ as proof of their community service. AJ being AJ, brave .. she went along with it and waved me away. I stayed in eyesight but really let her be independent. I give it a few then go back and say let’s go find your friend (my neighbor’s daughter will go to school there too). What do I hear …?

“Come on.. go get us some thin mints. Please? Just take a few, come on”
AJ: “I don’t want a cookie”
Boy “But I do.. come on get me some cookies, please”
I watch as my kid struggles with the idea of what is right, wrong, good, bad and ok to do, since I told her NOT to leave that table.

Umm ok.. I said “Wow, really guys? Peer pressure, she’s 4!” they did have the decency to look a little shameful and I let them off the hook with “Besides, she doesn’t know what a ‘thin mint’ is” And yes, I praised AJ for not leaving the table, following directions, being a good girl, listening to mama.

They then call up the colors and say the kids are going to specific classes based on the color. So hubby and I grab our stuff and start to shuffle to the blue when we hear “This is for the children ONLY, parents will remain in the cafeteria”. So I sorta played it off and told AJ to go to the blue and have fun. The neighbor’s kid was in her group too so I figured they’d rely on each other.

Then for a half hour without my kiddo they talked to us about how to raise our kid to be a great student (basically). Two parts made me laugh:

Teach them to be independent and know that is ok to explore and trust teachers
(Hey lady, you just had me ship my kid off with a complete stranger in a strange place all based on the color of her bracelet. I say she’s doing fine).

The “No” Bank (I loved this idea)
Every time you ask your child to do something and they say No, you don’t argue you just say ok and put “No” onto a sticky note and put it into the ‘bank’ (A wall that holds all the Nos) and when they ask for something you both go to the “Bank” to see if they have to make a withdrawal (or if you can say no back). LOL I thought it was a hilariously great idea. But wouldn’t work in my house. She’d wait until that thing was empty and ask for something I KNOW I would say no to and knowing her she’d quickly realize SHE could have a “No” bank to me as well. Take your medicine AJ “Lets check your bank mom”

Half hour later the kids start to mill back in. Half are in tears looking for their parents. Neighbor’s kid is hysterical in tears. Some (like mine) are just skipping along thrilled at their adventure. I saw AJ about the time they announce its story time. She hears that, runs to me, drops off her coloring project and rushes off to get onto the stage for story time. MAN I love my kid!

As we walk out, those same high school kids are there. They group up and say “Bye Arianna!!” and she runs to give them each a hug and says bye.

Already a lil diva! I’m in so much trouble!

And yes, she now prefers her real name. Her full name. Something we don’t call her at home but never shy from confirming that it is her name”

What an adventure!!!