Macaroni necklaces are forever

The preschools are out. And not only are we out, we're done. Which leaves me feeling sad that this stage of life is over. The preschool years are like no other, and there are so many things I'm going to miss...

Like the monthly calendar of every single thing my child is going to learn, do and sing each day, oddly making me feel like I've really accomplished something when I stick it on the fridge.

I'll miss the shock and awe of the carpool line. Shock, that 200 children are all up, dressed and fed. And awe, that it only takes 15 minutes to get them through one door, without getting out of our car.

I'm going to miss Muffins For Moms. Pandora JeweleryAnd sitting in those tiny chairs that always got me back to the gym. And birthdays, where my child gets a crown and the title of Child Of The Day.

I'll miss his face when I pick him up. There's nothing like a preschooler's face when he first sees you - excitement, pride and relief all rolled up in those smiley cheeks and bright eyes. The only other time you get that look is when you give him a puppy. And since we're not getting a puppy...

I'll miss getting that note home about what he did wrong, and how they had to punish him. And secretly being happy that it was one less thing I had to deal with.

I'll miss the constant stream of goodies in his school bag - bunnies out of cotton balls, beehives out of toilet paper rolls, masks out of milk jugs, and my favorite - a necklace for me, made out of macaroni.

Ah, and Christmas - those special handmade ornaments - that time of year when he's always got glitter on him, and he simply dazzles.

I'll even miss chapel. I never got to play Jesus, but I did get to wash his feet in one of the skits. Actually, it was my friend Caroline's feet, which was really funny because she hates having her feet touched. We would have traded costumes, Tiffany Jewelrybut I couldn't untie the knot in the rope around her waist.

And speaking of those moms - there is no bond like the bond between the preschool moms. Being with them every week at the preschool is what I will miss most. We all met back in the 2's - and through all the play dates, birthdays, field trips and parties, we are like that pack of best friends in high school. I just wish we had a yearbook to sign.

And so now I have one going into the 6's. And one in the 9's. And I just might keep saving my milk jugs, in case they want to make me something when they're not doing calculus. And be so grateful that while the preschool phase is over, the friendships are forever.

And so is my macaroni necklace.