Dear Maestra

Dear Maestra,
Today we took Lupe to meet you and do the paperwork for the preshool.  And.....she can't stop talking about the school.  When we got in the car she said, "I like the maestra Mama, she's fancy. Do you like her?" And when we got home, you entered into her pretend play.  Lupe does this all the time, whatever situation we've just had or people we've just been with, she comes home and decides who she is, who I am supposed to be, and then fills the rest of the parts with her babies and animals.
So, finally, Lupe is pretending that she can be a mommy and something else. Everyone once in a while someone asks her what she might want to do when she is a grown up- "A mommy, that's all".  No, she can't be anything else at the same time.  This is very real to her.  You may think that a lot of little girls are like that, but let me tell you, Lupe is REALLY into babies.  She can tell you about the day her baby was born, explain her breastfeeding problems and triumphs. I mean this girl could be a student doula or lactation consultant at age 4. She is now going to be a teacher.
And here I was wondering if she would have a hard time starting the 3rd preschool in one year. She went to one at the high school near our house and cried the first few days but ended up loving it. I thought it would be hard to tell her why she wasn't going back there.  "Mom, am I going to Pacheco tomorrow? I just can't wait to start. I love that school!"  That is what she said to me suddenly in bed after I thought she was already sleeping.
And I felt a good connection with you too Maestra. I think this is going to be a fabulous year.  I write you this letter because you're going to spend a lot of time with m'ija. She's really special. And I know you can already see that. Gracias. Todo pasa por una razon (bien que sabe Usted eso!) y se que tenemos a nuestra hija en el mejor lugar.  I had such mixed feelings about her being at school 5 days a week, but I'm feeling a little better about it after today. I will do Liam's therapy at home con ganas, knowing that Lupe is in a supportive and inspiring environment. (Your dad was the first to work with Down Syndrome kids in Kuala Lumpur? Seriously? Amazing). So, thank you in advance for.......todo!
Con carino,
la Mama de Lupe