Today marked a new chapter for us, as Zoe started a new school and Avery headed to the preschool on her own. We started the day with a breakfast treat (blintzes) and the traditional photo shoot; then Zoe and I dropped off Avery at school. I don’t know if it’s because her classroom is where Zoe’s was for the past year (and Avery feels comfortable in it), or because one of her teachers was with her during camp, but Avery was amazing at drop-off: She sat down to draw when we walked in, and she didn’t sniffle, whine or run after me when Zoe and I said good-bye. (A small miracle for my historically clingy daughter.) When I picked her up she asked if she could come back tomorrow (yes!), and she literally jumped up and down and screamed in joy when she told Q about her day tonight. (“Mommy said I can go back!”)

Zoe, too, impressed me by showing few nerves leading up to her big move, and by heading to orientation at her new school without batting an eye or even really saying good-bye to me when the students and parents were separated. I teared up as I watched her march down the hallway with 20 other students, holding the hand of her good friend and classmate Zachary. “This is it,” I thought. “My baby is in kindergarten.”

-M

I interview people for a living, so I thought it only appropriate that I talk with Zoe about her thoughts on kindergarten and the future. Below is a partial transcript of our recent conversation.

-What do you think kindergarten will be like?

It’s going to be kind of new to explore the classroom. I remember when I was in the Elangarden classroom [at preschool] and it was hard to figure out the classroom and the teachers. I’m kind of a little sad to move to a new school but it might be fun to move to a different school and make new friends.

-What will you miss most about preschool?

I’ll miss Mira and Erica and Emmanuel and some other friends.

-Do you think you’ll make new friends at the new school?

Yeah, except it’s kind of hard because I don’t remember how you make friends. Except I’ll try.

-How do you think Avery will do at preschool without you?

A little sad on her first day. It’s going to take her practice to be on her own. Other than that I think she’s going to be okay.

-What do you think you’ll learn in kindergarten?

To read. And I’m probably going to learn more about space. I might learn about science because I have a science teacher.

-When you’re done at this school you’ll be 14. What do you think you’ll be like at the age?

I won’t mind moving to a different school.

-You’ll still be a kid at that age. What’s the best thing about being a kid?

That I get to have a wonderful mom and dad.*

-What’s the hardest thing about being a kid?

I can’t learn things that easy. And it’s hard to not do bad stuff to my sister – even though I don’t do that too much.

-At what age do you think you’ll be a grown-up?

24.

-What do you want to be when you’re a grown-up?

I want to be a teacher, I want to be a mom, and I want to be a doctor.

-What do think will be the best thing about being a grown-up?

To be living by myself. It will be exciting because I’ll get a baby and I can marry a new friend.

-M

*No, I didn’t bribe her to say this