Tears and Crumble

Adjusting to full days of Kindergarten was starting to show on Ashley’s mood today. After nearly 13 hours sleep last night she crawled into bed with us this morning and said she didn’t want to go to school today. James snuggled with her for a bit but then had to get up to go to an early orthodontic appointment. With both girls snuggling up to me, I tried to wait out the reluctance for school by encouraging her to come upstairs for breakfast. She started to cry and said she didn’t like school and she missed having the chicken noodle soup that I make somewhat regularly for them for lunch. Caitlin and I had visited with Ashley for lunch on Monday (which is very much encouraged by the school) and I suggested that we could come again today and bring chicken noodle soup in our thermos. That seemed to help her at least get out of bed. Ashley takes after me in that merely the sight or smell of food placed in front of us when we’re hungry will immediately lift the black cloud of grumps from above our head. After breakfast she was content again and willing to go to school.

Caitlin and I gathered fallen chestnuts and picked a big pocketful of plums from a neighborhood plum tree on our walk back to the house. Then we spent the morning at the library where Caitlin shared some plums with Pamela, the children’s librarian, just before story time. We then made our way to have our chicken noodle soup lunch with Ashley. When lunch was almost finished, Ashley beckoned quietly to me looking very sad. With tears in her eyes she said to me, “I didn’t tell the truth this morning. I really do like school. I was feeling sad because I miss you.” As soon as my heart re-solidified I told her I loved her and I missed her too and I was glad that she really liked school. She then gave me a big hug and helped me clear up lunch before lining up to return to class.

Caitlin and I then spent the afternoon turning our freshly picked plums into a delicious plum crumble that we ate with ice-cream after dinner.