This may seem kind of strange, but today I’m thankful for the wonderful staff at Bethlehem Preschool and Daycare. These wonderful women cared for Eli for the first 18 months of his life (minus the first 2 when I was on maternity leave). I’m not sure if they know it, but I’ll be forever grateful for the love and care they showed.

I wish I had some photos of Eli’s time at daycare to share. I do have some prints, but unfortunately at the moment, I lack a scanner. So, let me just tell you about it.

They played games and made crafts. I have the flowers, spiders, bunnies, flower pots and miscellaneous items to prove it. Sure, Eli was too young to do much, but he sure loved to get his hands in the finger paint. They played outside with the endless toys, balls, sandboxes. Pretty much every day during the summer, Eli would come home covered in sand, dirt and other grim. And I mean covered. From head to toe. Caked in his hair and toe nails. So much so that even shampoo couldn’t get everything out.

But best of all, they loved him. Nicky from day one took on a motherly roll when I had to be at work. I think that she loved him most of all. And Jo, who had Eli in the infant room and then followed him to the 1 year old room. I reminder one time when I had to pick Eli up when he was sick, and he clung to her, not wanting to let go. Miss Deb, who let Eli call her Debbie, which is a high honor, taught him song after song and loved my little man to pieces. Kate, Courtney and…shot I know I’m forgetting someone, who just adored Eli. Why wouldn’t they, he is such a little flirt and well on his way to being a ladies man.

All of these women helped shape Eli’s young life. They provided care and love when I was off at work. They helped teach him and guide him. They helped make him who he is today. My adorable, although sassy, little man. And I’m pretty sure that one or two of them would have taken him home, if they were given the opportunity.

For anyone that I forgot, I’m truly sorry. It’s not that you aren’t important, or that you didn’t touch the kiddo’s life in an important way. It’s just that I have a terrible memory, especially when it comes to names. So please, leave me a comment with the name of the person I forgot, and I’ll add them to the list right away.