oh, to preschool you go: a respost

Okay, Back-to-Schoolers. It's about to get very Back-to-School-esque up in here, starting with this repost from two summers ago when my babies started preschool. (Sob.) Next week Bo and Revi start TK at the same elementary school as their big sister, so this poem is no longer ours to keep. For those of you with babies starting preschool this week/month/season, this one's for you... 

Godpseed mamas and papas. Sending great big love to you and your littles...  xoxo infinity

Oh, to Preschool You Go

Congratulations!

Today is your day!

I sobbed as I wrote this

(Because that is my way.)

You have bags on your backs

And big smiles on your faces

You're both still in diapers

(But not always the case...s)

You're in this together

Because that's how twins rock

You can use your words, now

And you know how to walk.

You'll meet lots of children and make them your friends.

You'll meet teachers with bandaids for booboos to mend.

With your bags full of lunch you may not want to eat.

Because there are too many veggies and not enough treats.

But one day you'll thank us? Or perhaps you will not.

One day you'll be glad of these lessons we taught?

And you will also be angry we did what we did

Because that's what it means to be somebody's kid.

We all do our best but still, there are some days...

When parents cannot be quite sure of their ways.

In that case, of course, you will hate us sometimes...

...and like us and hate us (that's totally fine.)

We've all been there, girls. And we somehow lived through

With our parents still loving us for all that we do.

This just took a turn for angst-ridden teen

For a moment I forgot that you're not seventeen

But that's just the thing about being a mama

Every new milestone feels chock-full of drama.

For, two seconds ago you were up on the screen

And the doctor said "twins!" and I said "what do you mean!?"

And that was, like, yesterday, so it all feels quite nuts.

To be saying "you're off!" when we're still wiping butts.

But you're ready for this

I just know that you are

You've been ready for months now

You scream in the car...

When we drop off your siblings

saying, "I want to go!"

And for a while I've been saying,

"Okay, girls! I know!"

And so, here we are

Lunches packed, backpacks on.

And me with my face that says

"Nothing is wrong!"

And you in your dresses you picked just for today

Last night in your PJs with so much to say.

Oh!

To Preschool you go!

You'll paint all the time!

You'll nap and you'll sing!

And you'll learn nursery rhymes!

You'll do yoga a lot Because this is LA

And it's important you know how to live NAMASTE.

It won't always be easy for you or for me.

Accidents will happen,

And your school is not free. 

And if this school is anything like the last one

You may catch some head lice which is really not fun

And you may make a friend that has to change schools

And you may find you have a hard time with new rules

And you may become homesick (that's just how I was)

And you may decide school is the worst just because

And you may hurt your hand or your foot or your face

And you may feel fenced in and in need of more space

And you may want to paint longer than you are allowed.

Or find you're not tired and want to be LOUD.

But that is just part of the up we must grow!

And learning these lessons is just part of the show.

So enjoy it, my darlings! Hold your heads high

For you are now entering the where and the why

The who, you have covered, the what will come, too.

The how we shall find out when this isn't all new...

Oh, to preschool you go! There is fun to be done!

There are prints to be handed and songs to be sung!

And the magical things you will do with your minds.

Will make you realize that you're (two) of a kind.

RAD! YOU'LL BE AWESOME! AS COOL AS IT STANDS!

With the kids lining up to hold onto your hands!

Except when they don't.

Because, sometimes, they won't.

I'm afraid that some times

You won't be all that.

Your painting will tear

And your clay will go flat

And you may want to follow in the times you must lead

And your happiness will not always be guaranteed.

And there will be times when you will get picked last

And you'll fall on your face when you're running too fast.

And all of that's good and it's fine and it's great.

Because you are a human and that is your fate

But I want to say this because THIS I must say

As your mother who loves you and is proud of your way(s)

And by "ways" I mean chutzpah. You both have it in spades

You are two of the strongest kids I've ever made...

So stay true to that sparkle, those fists in the air

Stand up for yourselves and remember to share.

And please don't let ledges keep you back from the view

And if you must jump near edges (cause that's what you must do)...

Be mindful my darlings. 

Be kind, brave and strong.

Watch over each other. 
Go forth, girls. Forge on... 

So...

be your name Boheme or Bobo or Bo

or Reverie Coconut, Baby GoGo (her alter ego)

you're off to big kid school.

Today is your day.

A new world is waiting.

And, yes, girls, we'll stay... 

(... for an hour or so, until they shoo us away.)