“On a personal note, as you know Bubbles has always had a special place in my heart but even more so after these last two years with Zoe in the outstanding preschool program. You may remember that when I applied I wrote that I was looking for a place for Zoe, my middle child, where she could spread her wings and soar–a place she could call her own. When I look at Zoe’s photo from her first day last year and her recent photos taken at school, it’s my heart that soars. Her spirit has grown exponentially. In the words of Miss Lina, her imagination is bananas, and then some. Her creativity is exceptional. She’s grown socially and her kind, sweet manner just flows out of her.

As you know, it takes a village to raise a child and I can’t begin to thank you enough for being a part of ours. The care, guidance, kindness, gentleness, love, and opportunities in art, music, drama and open play that all of you at Bubbles have offered to Zoe have contributed greatly to the amazing girl she has become and will continue becoming. The kindness and generosity you have shown our family –I cannot thank you enough for all of it. Bubbles feels a lot like a second home to us and with the way Kylie runs around the place, you’d think it was. But that feeling comes from the staff truly treating each other and all of us like family. You just can’t find a place like Bubbles anywhere else and I’m thrilled that Kylie will have her own Bubbles experience. And I would be remiss if I did not mention the amazingness that are the teachers there. I can’t even begin to express how wonderful I think each and every one of them is. I keep referring to Zoe graduating preschool as “leaving the nest” as in the safe, loving space that every teacher there has created–a place where each kid could truly be themselves, even on the days when one of them forgets to wear pants under her dog costume. I loved the recaps Zoe would give me after school about what she learned, especially the day she excitedly told me, “Mommy, we did Prince today!” I mean, RIGHT?!? When people ask me about Bubbles, this is what I say, “The teachers there, they just get it.”

Thank you for treating my family like family and for all you’ve done for us these past two years. Someday, when Zoe has built her first skyscraper and she’s asking me for guidance on her ribbon-cutting ceremony speech, I’ll tell her, “Why don’t you start with, ‘When I was in preschool, I used to build towers and castles and all sorts of amazing things and because no one ever told me I couldn’t, I just kept building.’” Thank you for building Zoe’s foundation.”