Best Buddies

Another thing I love about Buby's school is the Best Buddies program. Each Starfish {a three-year-old} is assigned to a Panda {a five- or six-year-old} at the start of the school year. They have the same Best Buddy for 10 months. At least once a week the children work side-by-side on an art project, pair up on the playground, join each other for music, or eat snack in the other's classroom. They learn from each other. Buby's Best Buddy is Eli. I hear A LOT about sweet Eli on our trips home.



Last week Bleu + I happily attended the annual Best Buddies picnic. The kids devoured cheese pizza and watermelon and cherry-flavored Rita's Ices while us parents relished the chance to be flies on the wall {err, berry bush} and witness the conversation + laughter.



During Closing Circle Buby presented a handmade card to Eli and Eli one to Buby. A teacher asked if anyone would like to say something about their Best Buddy. Eli raised his hand. He said, "The days I saw Gavin... those were the good days in my life." You could almost hear the oohs and aahs from the sidelines. It was so darn cute.



A few minutes later Buby shot up his hand, too, but when the teacher called on him he froze. She gave him a moment, but he looked around and gave up his turn. That afternoon Buby was in the bathtub singing his favorite song, "Uno, dos, tres amigos. Cuatro, cinco, seis amigos. Siete, ocho, nueve amigos. Diez!!" when he paused to tell me that he wanted to say something during Closing Circle. I asked him what it was. He replied, "That I love Eli." Ahhh.