A few weeks ago, we found a notice in Madeline's backpack that her pre-k class was going to be holding a parent-child luncheon with an international theme. Parents were asked to sign up to bring finger foods from a particular country to tie in to the diversity theme that the class was learning about. This was the second lunch that we've been invited to during the school year. I wasn't able to make it to the first one because I was away at a conference, so I was determined to make it to this one. I rescheduled a clinic so that I could make it out in time for the lunch, and thankfully, I made it.
The class paraded out in front of the small classroom, crowded with mothers and fathers and grandparents, all with their digital cameras and handheld video cameras. There were easily three times as many adults as children there. Led by the music teacher, the kids sang several songs about different countries. It was adorable. Madeline was adorable. She did her best to ignore me while performing, but she couldn't help but sneak a glance periodically, giving me a little half-smile and then quickly looking away.
After the performance, we tried a variety of finger foods from different countries -- samosas, empanadas, bruschetta, mini hotdogs (from the US of course), guacamole, sushi, and numerous things that I have no name for. It helps that Maddie's class is diverse. The food, mostly prepared by classroom moms, was wonderful. I tried a variety of things, but my picky eaters (Sam and Madeline) stuck with things they recognized. Oliver would have had sushi with me had he been there.
I'm so glad I went, and I only wish I had been able to attend the first of the parent-child lunches at her school. She moves to the public school in August, and I vow to attend as much of her classroom programs as I can. Maybe I'll even join the PTA. Or maybe not.