Kissing Hands

We ordered the book Kissing Hands for the kids before DD was in Preschool.  It's a story of a little raccoon that didn't want to go to school.  So his mother kisses his hand and tells him when he is missing her, he can put his hand on his cheek and feel his mother's love at school.  He, in return, gives his mom a 'kissing hand' and she is able to feel his love when she's missing her little boy while he's at school.  Little did we know at the time we purchased the book, how much we would use it in the future!  We've read it often, I still choke myself up everytime we do. 

When DD was having a hard time going to Preschool, I would draw a heart on her hand and kiss it.  Some days after school...two and a half-hours of school, mind you, the heart would be almost worn off and her little lips red as if she'd applied lipstick.  This was the routine almost every morning before preschool.

The following year at Kindergarten, we'd do the same.  We got fancy.  We'd use different colored Sharpies and as the year progressed, DD could read more words so I'd write 'love' or 'ubba.'  We did this until at least Christmas break and sporatically after that.

First-Grade was no different.  Colorful Sharpies, hearts, smiley faces, little messages. 

Now, both kids are in school.  The night before Lane went off to Kindergarten, he took it upon himself to grab a Sharpie and write "MOM" on his kissing hand. 

(the next morning, Lane had a black "M" on the side of his face from sleeping on his hand)  =)

He also gave me a kissing hand.

(From Dig, he wrote "Lane" first, then a heart, then "MOM." 

Translation:  "Lane loves Mom.")

The next morning, Drue asked for one...

 then gave me one, too.

(My kissing hand from DD, "Ubba DD!")

So far, Lane has had very little trouble transitioning to school.  He seems to really be enjoying it and hardly has time to kiss me good-bye before running up the stairs to find his friends on the playground. 

Drue, on the other hand, has decided to stick to her old routine...shuffling around with a sad face before leaving for school, showing Mom a few tears at drop off...

and making sure she has a "Kissing Hand."