Last Day in the Infant Room

Below is a picture of Ellis with Ms. Chandra who took care of her (and us) for the last year at daycare. Ellis loves Ms. Chandra and can already say her name. Ms. Chandra, mother of four, was a font of knowledge for us parents who were struggling to find our way. She recently dubbed Ellis and the older kids in the Infant Program "one-teen" year olds because their favorite word is "no" and they like to boss each other (and the teachers) around. We know that we will still see Ms. Chandra every morning when we drop off Ellis, but it won't be the same.

There are two things to share from her last day. First, Ms. Chandra gave Ellis a toothbrush as a farewell gift, with Elmo on it (and we discovered that Ellis knows who Elmo is). The toothbrush had a note on it that said: "Dear Ellis, It has been such a joy watching you grow this past year. You have brought so much to the Infant Program and kept us on our toes. You've evolved from quiet, reserved Ellis into sharp, decisive ELLIS (a true 'one-teen' year old). We will miss you much. Sincerely, Ms. Chandra"

Second, the Toddler Room teachers wrote the report on her day (in Ellis' voice) as follows: "I have adjusted very well in the Toddler Room. I spent almost the whole day with my toddler classmates and teachers. I liked building things with Legos and playing with dolls. During our morning excursion, we went for a walk around the National Art Gallery, and I helped push a buggy. My teachers are very excited to see me on my first official day in the Toddler Program on Monday." I was also told that Ellis napped very well; and when she woke up, she laid on her mat, talking to herself quietly so as not to wake up the other kids. Also, apparently, she ate a LOT. And Ms. Nun (the head of the Toddler Room) said that Ellis just loves little Emmi (or as Ellis says: 'Memmi"), the other infant moving into the Toddler Program with her. But we knew this already.