Back-to-School-Night

I don't know if it's a regionalism, but when I was growing up in New Jersey, the evening when parents go to their children's school to meet with the teachers, known as Open House elsewhere, was known as Back-To-School-Night. That's the case at Edith's daycare, too. Tis year's Back-to-School-Night was this past Thursday, and it seemed to prompt funny remarks on a variety of fronts.

Kids aren't welcome at Back-to-School-Night, which poses a babysitting dilemma, so we decided Tom would get to go this year while I watched Edith at home. I offered to watch Harrison, too, so both his parents could go. At dinner I asked Edith if she knew where Daddy was going after we ate. When she didn't, I told her that he was going to go be in Ms. Bela and Ms. Monika's class for a night. He would visit Pipsqueak and maybe play with some of the toys. Edith looked a little mystified. Then she offered her only comment: "Don't take my cubby, Daddy!"

Edith, Harrison and I had fun at home putting together a giant truck puzzle that Harrison brought over. E and H cooperated with each other very well in working on the project. At one point when she was stuck Edith asked, "Please help me with this piece, Harrison," and at another point encouraged him, "You can do it, bud!" Harrison was equally considerate and team-spirited.

Later on the playground Harrison asked me if I had hair. I said I did. He then informed me, "I have hair, too. It's curly all over my head and long down to my shoulders."

Meanwhile, Tom was enjoying the commentary by our neighbor, Kevin, at school. (For those of you who don't know Kevin, please imagine the most low-key, understated guy you know.) The Older Toddler teachers spent a good deal of time talking about potty training. To facilitate potty use at school, they asked that parents dress children in easy-to-remove clothing. "So no overalls...[we sent Edith in overalls today]...no onesies [we sent Edith in a onesie today]..." Kevin asked, "No bunny suits?"

Um yep, that would be us, too. It was the quick solution to get a recalcitrant Edith out the door a few weeks ago.

Later the teachers explained that they hoped to involve parents at school this year by inviting them in to share any of their particular interests with the children. Kevin spoke up: "Oh, yeah, skydiving."