For all of last school year, Ellie and I spent every morning together. That's the plus (and minus) of half-day kindergarten. It was quite the unfamiliar experience; I'd actually never been in the company of any of my children for so many hours every day.

So what did I learn in kindergarten?

1. Ellie is whimsically goofy. We giggled our way through shopping for broccoli at Whole Foods, tickled each other and screamed hysterically as we raced around the house, rolled our eyes while telling horrible jokes in squeaky voices...every moment was an opportunity for me to wallow in being a child, and I didn't hold back.

2. Art is king. At the first whiff of boredom, I could always whip out a piece of paper and collaborate with Ellie to create fantastical, adorable drawings.

3. Potty humor never fails. Yes, I'm not going to deny it; I relied on poop and fart jokes more than once to make my girl crack up. If you could hear the heartfelt laughter, you'd understand why. "That's enough, Mama, that's enough!!!"

4. I don't know anyone as patient or as gentle as my Ellie. Whether I felt like taking a nap, needed to go to the laundromat because our machine was broken, or simply decided to have lunch with my own girlfriends, E always went along and made the best of it. Always.

5. Ellie's nose is softer than a marshmallow. I pinched and kissed her button nose countless times, and it never ceased to amaze me.

6. Ellie possesses an inner confidence that admittedly surprised me. At the end-of-year talent show, she amazed me by getting up in front of all the kids, teachers, and parents, and in classic Ellie style, played air guitar with her leg. Rockstar!

First grade just started last week, and I feel more than a little wistful as I walk my girls to school in the morning, then come home alone. On the one hand, I have my mornings back to myself, but on the other hand... Well, I can't put words to how I feel.

I love you, Ellie. Thanks for spending the year with me.