School Picture Day

 Lois attends preschool three days a week now for about 2 1/2 hours each day. At first she would come home at the end of every day and refuse to talk to me about it, beyond telling me in the most dejected voice you can imagine a three year old having "I did not have fun today, daddy."

"Did you run and jump and play like you wanted to, honey?"

"No."

"Did you learn anything?"

"No."

"What are your friends' names?"

"I don't have friends."

It was pretty sad but she was always super excited to go to preschool when it was time so we kept going and I kept asking.

Finally, one day, I asked if she had fun and she was quiet for a second or two before replying in a carefully neutral tone, "Maybe." I knew I had her but I had to be careful. No simple questions. I thought for a moment and asked her if she had fun playing with one of her classmates, Eric.

"Yes. And Phillipa."

HAH! Victory!


Since then she's told me every day that she's had fun and that she's played and what she's learned. I don't know why she was reticent at first and didn't want to tell me what was going on or that she was having a good time but finally, finally, she's willing to talk about it.

Yes, I can hear you longer-term parents saying "Just wait until she turns 11." I know. I know. But that's far away.

For now I'll take what I can get while I can get it.