9:30 a.m.
Preschool dropoff goes better than yesterday. No tears, but she still seems reluctant to go in to the room. Luckily the preschool director, Presbyterian-Quaker, is nearby and helps ease the transition.

noon
MaDear meets me at church and we head into the meeting house for the "preschool Thanksgiving program." The children file in by class. Little she-who-is appears to be chewing gum. Where on earth did she get gum?

12:07 p.m.
After a few songs performed by the whole assembly, C's class stands to sing "I'm an Acorn." C is meticulous to remove her gum before singing, then replaces it immediately afterward.

12:09 p.m.
C is now stretching her gum into long thin stretchy strands. I finally realize she's chewing on her ponytail holder.


later that afternoon
I receive an e-mail from Gentle Teacher. She says C is doing very well in class--very bright and observes everything. She recognizes that dropoff has been an issue and shares some thoughts on that. She makes clear that she isn't concerned that C doesn't say the pledge. She suggests that C stand while the class says it, but otherwise it is not an issue.


after dinner
RM: C, do you all say the pledge in preschool?
C: Yes. But I don't like saying the pledge.
RM: Why not?
C: Because it's scary.
RM: Why is it scary?
C: [pause] I don't know.
Mr. RM: Because everyone's saying the words all together?
C: [no answer]
RM: Oh, just like we sing the words together when we do our blessing before dinner.
C: [considering this]
RM: C, I want you to know that you don't have to say the pledge if you don't want to.
C: But my teachers said, "Stand up, C, and say it."
RM: Well, next time how about you stand up when the others do, but you don't need to say anything. And I will talk to your teachers about it.
C: And they want me to do this [puts hand on heart]
RM: I will talk to your teachers. I think it would be nice to stand with your class, but that's all you need to do. OK?
C: Look! I found a pink barrette!