Becoming Little One

Yesterday was our parent-teacher conference.
Little One's teachers had some great things to say about Her school work.  Apparently She is really excelling in reading and writing; ready for kindergarten!  Her math skills aren't as superlative, but are right on target for Her age, and She continues to be a prolific little artist.
But what Her teachers were really excited to talk about was Her "personality".  Which, they informed me (with twinkles in their eyes), is really "coming out".  By which they mean that Little One is no longer the shy, observant, cautious bystander She started as back in the fall.  They said that despite being one of the smallest and youngest in the classroom, She has emerged as a definite leader.
She has a long, long list of friends and apparently is very busy at snack time making the rounds to all these peeps, basically hosting a social hour.  She has transformed the snack table into the "water cooler" of the pre-school classroom.  She leads rambunctious games on the playground; chasing all the kids roaring at them and threatening to eat them up as they play "tiger" (I know exactly where that came from, it's a book She loves called Little Rajani).  The teachers said that the kids love playing with Her and follow Her lead.
They also said She is known to them as the "policewoman".  She apparently patrols the classroom, hands clasped behind Her back, surveying everyone and their work.  She "helps" students who are getting the lesson wrong, "reports" when rules are being broken, and rushes to clean up any messes that may have been left (making sure to inform Her teachers first that She is going to clean it up, but She did not make the mess).  She at times has to be reminded to worry about Herself, and do Her own work.
But they promised me that She employs Her, uh, "leadership capabilities" in a gentle way that has not caused Her friends to revolt, which is good.  They also had a nice laugh over an exchange I had with Ms. Janie last week:


Ms Janie:  "Boy, Little Miss certainly is getting a new attitude these days!"
C: (putting my hand on my hip) "Oh really? How so?"
Ms Janie: (cracking up and pointing at said hand on hip) "EXACTLY like THAT!"

Little miss attitude.  I'm pretty sure She gets it from Her father.