This fall Sophie and I signed up for a preschool class through the school's early childhood program.  Each week we explore a theme - learn a related song, visit stations on the same theme, play with her friends.  Its that last bit that has really caught Sophie's attention.  Learn about leaves?  No thanks, she'll play babies.  Want to make art about families?  Not now, she's still playing babies.  Each week we strike the same deal - do at least two stations, then she can play babies.  And each week its the same response, stand at the station, stare at me, move one item, head on over to the babies. 

So far, the only thing that has been strong enough to rip Sophie's attention away from playing babies, is the time each week where a student puts the spotlight on their family.  The student brings in a poster that shows family pictures and tells stories to explain each one.  Each week, there's been at least one photo that really caught her eye.  Two weeks ago Sophie told me that she had a plan for her own board.  She wants to re-enact the best photos from each of the previous boards.  That kid who had a photo after eating a blue sucker?  Nothing compared to Sophie's re-creation: 


The kid enjoyed going to the water park with his family?  Done.


I hope tonight some kid brings in a picture of their whole family sitting down for a quiet dinner, everyone happily eating whatever is on the table. Because THAT'S something I'd really like to see.