It’s Time for Jireh to Go to School

Like most parents, I think my daughter is extremely smart. However, every now and then, she says something that makes me wonder if she might have actually "been here before," as the old people say.

It's no secret that I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that Jireh is about to begin Kindergarten. In my eyes, she's still the little baby I brought home at 4 lbs, 9oz. Older, but still in need of the same care.

Even though I still see her as my baby, this summer has brought about some things that let me know she's growing up and that it might be time for her to be in somebody's classroom.

Jireh's Funniest One-Liners of Summer 2016:

1. My sister and I took our niece to Memphis to celebrate her birthday. Of course, I took Jireh along.
   Back story: The night before we left, a friend came by to wash my car, check my tires, etc. You know.... All the stuff it's GREAT to have a man for. (Side bar: Ladies, if a man wants to do all of this for you, LET HIM! It's nice to be independent, but let that man be a man. He doesn't have to be YOUR man, but you just might want to give him a second glance while he sits in the friend zone. Anyway....)
   We arrive in Memphis, check into our hotel, and go to get a bite to eat. During our meal, Jireh (who is sitting beside me) turns to me with a sneaky smile and slight side eye and says, "So, what did YOU do last night?"
   I just didn't like the look on her face. It made me think that she MAY know that adults do things other than sleep. However, I simply replied, "I went to sleep. What did YOU do?"
   She returned to her meal and said she went to sleep, too. We QUICKLY changed the subject.
2. On a trip to Chicago, we arrive at our hotel, check in, and are preparing for bed. Jireh says, "Mommy, did you pack my bonnet?"
   "No. I'm so sorry. I forgot."
   Silence.
   Then, complete with a side eye, "But you brought yours, didn't you?"  And she said it like, "I oughta beat your...."  I couldn't do anything but laugh.
3. Just this past Sunday, I spent a little time at the radio station. I got home and got Jireh dressed for church and sent her with my sister. I finished getting ready (pretty simple outfit: fitted tee, slacks, heels), threw on a wig, and rode with my niece. When we arrived to church and went to sit with the family, rather than welcoming me with her usual hug, Jireh looks at me and says out loud, "You took that long time FOR THAT?"

With that being said, I'm going ahead and putting in my PTO to visit her classroom. I mean, she's a GREAT helper, loves making new friends, and always tries to do what's right even when others don't.  If adults tell her not to do something, she sticks to it. So, I don't anticipate her being a problem student. However, knowing that she articulates herself as well as she does, I think I need to be at the school to make sure this child isn't out there telling my business.