We here at the Mitchell house are pretty tough on our childcare providers. Though they may not know. We spent a long time looking for a place that was a good fit for Mira after she was born. It took us almost 9 months and luckily we could wait.

Mira’s first daycare was in Okemos, MI and it was a branch of Kindercare. She wound up falling into a great fit with a wonderful woman named Jessica Stohl. Jessica moved rooms with Mira and was really the only person who watched her until we moved to Cleveland. We took a video of their last day together at Kindercare. It’s about 2 minutes and has random background noise and stuff on it. But you get a very good idea of what a normal activity was like for Mira with Jessica.

Once we moved to Cleveland, we eventually found a good fit at Le Chaperon Rouge in Rocky Rivers. It took us a few weeks to find a good fit from the people there,  but it was Miss Heidi who finally emerged from the care givers. And Mira moved with Miss Heidi when she moved rooms. They were together for about 18 months until Mira needed to leave for the school she is at now to help her fine motor development.

However, it was during that formative time from 2 to 3 1/2 that Mira really bonded with Heidi. They were two peas in a pod. Heidi and Mira would share lunches and hang out all day together. Erika’s favorite part was how Mira’s hair was always neatly combed everyday when we picked her up. Yeah, one of those little things, but it showed that Heidi was checked in.

Looking back, Mira was with Heidi for the entire time surrounding her brain surgery. I’m sure that had something to do with the bonding also. She was a sick little girl for a while after that surgery.

We had Miss Heidi over for dinner before she moved to Pittsburgh. This is the last time Mira actually saw her:

That’s all fine and dandy. I’m sure most parents have a similar story to tell about daycare. But here’s where the story gets interesting.

A few weeks after Heidi left. Mira found this little red sliding mirror that she plays with. She opened it up and said, “Hello? Is this Miss Heidi? Oh, hi Miss Heidi. How are you?” Yes, she proceeded to have a nice long conversation with Miss Heidi.

To this day, six months later, we still hear Mira in her toy room playing and answering calls from Miss Heidi. I snuck in the other day and took a pic of the conversation:

"Hello? Miss Heidi? Is that you?"

Heidi admitted that the other parents commented as she was leaving the “special” treatment little Mira used to get. I’m telling you, there’s something about that grinning blonde little monkey of ours that melts hearts…

Pals

Six months later, we’ve got 2 new stars to the program. They share time with Mira, but both are doing a great job. I look at them much like I would a yin and yang. But serve different purposes and both we couldn’t do without. I even put them in a yin and yang picture.

Mrs. Kalister and Mrs. Salerno

As soon as Erika sees this, she’s gonna think I have way too much time on my hands. I can’t argue as it sure appears that way.

Luna also started daycare this week. It’s a little mom and daughter operation about 3 miles from our house. Laura and Lindsey Kitko are their mom and daughter. Erika just loves them. Luna’s first day was last week and snapped a shot of the momentus occasion.

Daycare for Luna!

It’s too early for me to say much more than Erika just loves them and they really seem to like Luna. What’s not to like? She’s quiet, she smiles all the time and when she isn’t smiling she’s either eating, pooping or sleeping.

That’s one perfect baby…