The end of a {very long} era....

Tomorrow this sweet sweet child starts school

and marks the end of 22 1/2 years of my parenting of pre-schoolers.

I feel like I've been doing it forever,

you would think that I would be good at it by now wouldn't you?

The truth is, I regard it as a success that they are all still alive,

that they can dress themselves,

feed themselves (and others);

that they are {mostly} helpful, polite and fun to be around.

I've managed to keep them all in {mostly} clean clothes,

eat {fairly} healthy food; 

I've read stories, I've pushing swings,

I've mastered the art of bandaging every kind of wound.

I've been on more doctors visits that I can count.

I've said, I love you {almost} as many times as I've told them to wash their hands,

I've handed out {nearly} as many hugs as punishments.

I've been strong against the worst tantrum thrower ever

I've kept the thrill seeker alive.

I've dragged the anxious child with me on every kind of trip.

I've run a tight ship with military-like routines

for as long as I can remember.

I'm not even going to pretend that it's all been fun,
but there is something special about having a small person

who thinks that you are wonderful,

who hangs on every word you say

and wants to be as close to you as physically possible.

It's awesome to be able to fix all of their wee problems

and make all of their little dreams come true in some way or another.

So tomorrow I'll take Annie-Rose to school

to start the next stage of her journey.

I'm excited for her and I know that she will love it.

I think my eyes may leak a little.