Thursday, June 11, 2009

Goodbye, Olivia!

People sometimes ask me how I can handle being with preschoolers all day long. They ask if I ever lose my patience listening to whining and crying all day.

Well, let me tell you, in my experience, most kids whine and cry 0 to 5% of the day. The other 95% is spent smiling, singing, dancing, giggling, learning and playing anything from peek-a-boo to hide and seek to memory games. I don't know many occupations where you get continuous hugs and kisses without asking, and an occasional "I Love You, Bethie" thrown in, even right after they've had a Time Out. I just love how unconditional children are.

My Olivia has been a perfect example of all the above.

Like most of the children I care for, Olivia has been with me since she was three months old. I've watched her grow from being a perfect little infant baby with her big brown eyes and eyelashes that touched her eyebrows, to an even more beautiful little girl. She's gone from a meek and quiet little thing to a spunky girly-girl with attitude and I love watching the growth! She's gone from singing "Google Heads" to "Don't you Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me" (that's her new one as of today).

The hardest part of my job is watching the kids leave me to go off to school. Even though I do keep in touch with the majority of my past daycare goers, the idea of not having those little bodies around me everyday breaks my heart. So, the 5% of crying and whining pales in comparison to what the worst part of my job is...saying goodbye.

My hopes for you, Olivia, is to always be true to yourself and keep your compassion and unselfishness towards others, along with all that liveliness and spunk!

I love you tons and you will be missed dearly, Baby Girl!
Here are some pictures I took of Olivia today. I told her I needed to take one picture and she decided she needed to do a complete photo shoot. So here are three of about the twenty I took. She's such a little "Poser".

8 comments:

AnnaMarie said...

Oh, Beth, that made me cry! Kids grow up so quickly, and Olivia and your other little ones are so lucky to have you be a part of their growing up! Thanks for that post today!

Kelly said...

I really don't believe Olivia's going to school! Like you said in your post, I just remember her as a BABY... they all need to stop growing up!

I love the top picture of her. TOO CUTE.

jessicaj said...

OK I may not be pregnant like Anna Marie but I also cried. So whats my excuse? I don't think I need to have one since she is adorable and so awesome to see you love for her show through your post!

Katherine said...

I know we've watched her grow up at the Scrapbook store, featured on so many of your LOs. She is such a pretty girl and lucky to have you as her home away from home.

side note: If you are feeling lonely I have a few kids that I would be willing to share. No charge:)

Wendy Lee said...

awe Beth, that is so sweet!! What amazing care she has had over these years......I am sure she will miss you just as much!!

Elizabeth said...

Katherine had it right on the head--us at TSS have seen her pretty little face from baby till now! She's a lucky little lady to have had you in your life. You are such a saint!

Elizabeth said...

PS...I love your new blog background!!

missusem said...

So cute!!! :)