Ruby's still loving school. Totally.

I hate the rush in the morning though, three days a week. But Ruby loves school and so she's happy to chat on the bike there, she puts her small hand into mine (and her hand is oh so warm and small, and oh, how I love the waiting and then feeling her slip her hand into mine, without words, it's our thing on the bike and it's worth the crazy "I don't even have time to have a cup of coffee rush), and she tells me to avoid the potholes, she asks if her school is waiting for her, and she's excited to help Mr Reid set up the class for the other kids.

I linger at school because that's when I get to stop rushing. She feels at home in this tiny space and wants me to read to her the names of the other kids in other classes on their artwork. She hangs up her coat and puts away her lunch ("Mom, my bottle goes here, in the door, like this Mom") and shows me a few things in her class and I chat for a few moments with Mr Reid and say hi to Luther or Javi who are often the next kids to arrive.

When I hop back on my bike for the last stretch I am relaxed and ready to start my day.

PS. Ruby has been so insanely happy lately. Or maybe I've been better later at stopping so I can savor it. A few days ago I had the best cup of coffee ever. We arrived too early at a friend's house, so while I sipped on my coffee Ruby ate her cupcake. She had cream cheese frosting on her nose. She collected black pebbles and walked up to total strangers passing by and asked them if they would like a black pebble. She had just seen some people asking for money, so I think she wanted to do her part by handing out black shiny pebbles. We met Buddy the little dog who gently bit my fingers when we gave him a little bit of cupcake. We chatted with the door person. And we laughed at Ruby's messy face. I sipped coffee and loved my child and the world she brings to me.