Two years ago on this date, I sent Kumi off to preschool for the first time. If you read my Xanga blog, you will remember. If you haven't read about it, here is the link. Scroll to the bottom of the page. http://www.xanga.com/etamura/weblogpreview?nextdate=10%2f31%2f2006+10%3a59%3a15.407&direction=n Last month she started Kindergarten (still at the same school...it offers Pre to K). Now she comes home with homework. Phonics, Math, and other things that I don't remember being a part of my kindergarten experience. All that aside, her main source of concern right now is...first grade. Her friends who were in kindergarten last year are now gone. All in first grade at some other school...somewhere else. She knows her turn to leave is coming and it worries her. Not so much that she will be going to a new school where she doesn't know anyone, but more that she will lose contact with her friends. She collected email addresses from her preschool friends that went to another Kindergarten and even had a reunion of sorts at Disneyland a couple of months back. Her three friends all go to separate school in different towns. 
I don't remember anyone from my kindergarten days. My parents never took an interest in my school friends (unless they went to my church...or was Japanese) I have no memories of anyone that I knew from those days. I can't imagine not helping my daughter to maintain friendships and contact with her young friends. I know that the parents of her friends feel the same way and we regularly "consipire" behind their backs to "create" situations where they can get together for lunch and a movie or just hang out. We have lunch and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" on Sunday. So... Two years after her first day at preschool, the little girl in the story (see link above) is now BGOC (Big Girl On Campus), has her own email address, her own laptop (not a junky one or toy), her own ipod, her own DS, knows how to use the DVR, wants a cell phone...no a Blackberry and basically has become an American kid. Did I mention she is 5? This anniversary will probably go unnoticed and forgotten by the rest of the family but the day two years ago when I dropped off the nervous and scared little 3-year old at a strange and new place and didn't turn back to see her face as I left the room so I wouldn't see her tears...and to hide mine, will be forever in my mind. October 2. 
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