The Face of a First Grader

I can't believe Kindergarten is over. It went way too fast. Even Savannah said it didn't feel like a full year. It was a full year though. Savannah has learned how to read, write endless stories, tap into her creative side in new ways. She has learned the dynamics of friendship, both the good and the bad.  She has also learned how to stand strong on her own two feet.

This was Savannah's first taste of the real world, much more real than we had envisioned when deciding to send her to this small Quaker school. Even when surrounded by some tough kids and a class with a bad reputation, Savannah soared. I couldn't be more proud. What is even better is that Savannah is very proud of her learning and her behavior!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of watching the fifth graders graduate from this school. They were the Kindergarten's Meeting Buddies (Meeting for Worship). Savannah's class walked into the ceremony and serenaded their Meeting Buddies with, "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow." Boy, did the tears flow. Their sweet voices and sad hearts were evident. Savannah will really miss Sarah, her buddy. Just today I received this email from Sarah, our first communication.

Savannah is so sweet and yes, she is shy but I did what my dad says " I'll hint here and there and let them do the rest!" she is kind and happy and a million other things but best of all... she is Savannah. She is the best at being herself. Playing, smiling, waving and just being Savannah. When we were in meeting I would keep my eye on I.V. but I knew I could trust Savannah. I encouraged I.V. and Savannah to speak in meeting but they were nervous. Then one day... she spoke and made me the happiest girl in the world. My job was done... shy Savannah had spoken!

How lucky am I have had this fifth grade girl watching over Savannah. This is just a taste of why we chose this private school for our big girl.

Can't she just stay in Kindergarten forever?

On the other hand, I see her becoming all that I imagined and more. And like icing on the cake, she still snuggles up to me in her bed on quiet afternoons. Sometimes we just talk and sometimes we fall off into dreamland - like today. I can't put into words how important these moments are. I could stay curled up to her forever. As my Sweetie Pie likes to say, WE ARE THE PERFECT MATCH!!

How Many People Live in This House?????

Seriously, how many shoes does one family need? And why can't we put them in our designated cubby? This mudroom is favorite room in the house. It lets me put my need to organize into practice - or, at least it used to. And, yes, we are ALL guilty.

It's Happening

I experienced my first moment of heart break from peers ridiculing Adeline.

We were at a park with kids from Lila's preschool class.  Adeline knows these kiddos pretty well because I am very good friends with their mom.  While at the park, all of the kids hopped on the merry-go-round.  Adeline and Lila were enjoying letting the boys push the merry-go-round faster and faster.  Before I knew it, I saw the girls taking turns with pushing.  I wasn't standing close enough to hear what was going on but everyone looked happy from a distance. 

I walked over to the merry-go-round because it was time to pack the twins up and leave.  Oddly, all five children were standing off the merry-go-round while holding tight to handles.  It looked strange but I thought nothing of it.  As I approached, one of the boys asked me to tell Adeline that she couldn't push.  He followed that up by, "She runs too slow and can't push very hard.  She needs to get back on."  My heart sank.  This four year old boy identified Adeline's weaknesses.  While he could send the merry-go-round spinning, Adeline could barely get it moving.  The other children had no patience for this.  They all ended up commenting about her inability to some degree. 

While my heart broke, Adeline's did not.  She did what she always does and STOOD her ground.  The reason all the kids were off the merry-go-round was because Adeline wasn't going to get back on and, for that matter, wouldn't let go of the handles.  It was her turn to push, and by golly, she was going push!  Luckily, these children know Adeline well and like her which kept them from sending the ride sailing around while she was still holding on to the handles.  As long as she stood there holding on, the ride wasn't going anywhere.  Instead, everyone was looking across the merry-go-round in a standoff like fashion -waiting for Adeline to let go so someone else could push.  Like it or not, it was Adeline's turn and they better sit their bottoms down and let her take them for a very slow spin. 

Adeline wasn't hurt or mad, she was just determined.  This would probably result in hurt feelings if she were older.  Luckily, she is still three.  I walked away with the broken heart and Adeline walked away "on top."  She stood her ground, didn't let the children tell her what to do, and, quite frankly, doesn't care if she is the slowest pusher.  It was her turn to push and if they weren't going to let her push, then no one was going to get to.  

My friend and I gathered up our children and sent them to the cars.  Neither one of us knew exactly how to handle the situation.  I mentioned to one of the boys that Adeline can't run any faster and that everyone is different.  Probably not my choice explination.  I will do better next time.  My friend asked me what to say to her kids.  I didn't have an answer.  How much to do you talk about differences when they are very obvious and out of the ordinary?  It isn't like blue eyes and brown eyes.  All of these kids, including Lila, could run fast enough to send the merry-go-round flying.  Adeline can't.  She is different.  How do you explain that to three and four year olds?  They see it but don't understand why Adeline can't do these things.  I am pretty sure Adeline doesn't get it but she sees that she can't do what Lila and other three years can do.   

Here is what I do know.  God gave her the perfect personality.  Never have I seen a child with such determination and ability to persevere.  Adeline may be a quite spirit but she is also a strong one!  I am the one that could use a little of that strength as we embark upon this new road.

Summer Nights

I can't get enough of these beautiful evenings. The girls play and play and then play some more. We eat outside, enjoy neighbors, and delight in all that we have been blessed with. Sunshine really does make a difference.

I was going for just a simple smile. Adeline had other plans. Bikes, food, silly arm movements, tongues and winks were much more exciting for her to pose with. Here is a sampling.

(BTW, Miss Lila was sitting in the stroller for her nightly run which left her out of this photo shoot.)

Faces

Faces I love. . .

The face we try to avoid . . .

The Ants Go Marching

I caught Lila at the piano playing a rather vivacious rendition of, "The Ants Go Marching."  She sang this for her end of the year program which included the hand motions when singing, "Horah, horah."

Times Have Changed

My no-napped girls fell asleep on the way home from picking Savannah up from school. They both transferred like little babies. It brings back all of those times I treked up the stairs to plop one in the crib and then doing it all over again with the other. There is something about a limp child in my arms that puts a smile on my face.

Adeline stayed sound asleep until forced to wake up for a family run. Lila popped up much sooner in order to put on her "running clothes." Even though she sits in a comfortable recline, nibbling on a tasty snack, running clothes are necessary. The flip flops aren't part of the outfit, just an attempt to get mommy to buy her some.