School is Cool, but Fred is Dead

[Warning: Headline contains spoilers!]  Pearl cried when Marcia left her in the kindergarten classroom this morning, and although I didn't ask, it seems somewhat possible that Marcia shed a tear herself. But when she picked Pearl up this afternoon, she was a happy student. She reported four (yes, four!) things that had happened in class and said her teacher "has some cool ideas." This is high praise, coming from Pearl.

Unfortunately Marcia had sad news for Pearl when they got home. One of her African Dwarf Frogs, Fred, had died. Because of who she is--and no doubt amplified by the anxiety du jour--Pearl was heartbroken and sobbed for over an hour. Eventually, though, Pearl helped clean the aquarium for Tad, who has always been the more exuberant of the two frogs. By the time I got home, a pizza party had started. Carrie had had a great day at her new preschool. They were ready to celebrate.

Marcia's word for today was "bittersweet," and it's fitting. One of the books we read tonight was Cynthia Rylant's Dog Heaven. Afterward Pearl imagined Frog Heaven, the new home of Fred the frog. One day, we'll all be there together, swimming.

Comments

[Suze]

Here's hoping the sweetness of school life soon far outweighs any bitterness. (That's our experience.)

[Amy]

So sorry to hear about Fred. Tracy has commented on how our lives are similar to yours. We also have African Dwarf Frogs. One of them is missing a front leg so his name is Three. The other one's name is Four and the snail is One. I don't know how many times we have looked at them and thought Four was dead. Hope Tad hangs in there on his own.