Let me start by saying that my kiddo is doing well, she's doing really well. She does more as a young child than I ever did. She is learning piano, she is a now a brown belt in the Krav Maga Universal children's program, her grades are wonderful, she runs cross country, she slays everything she does...
But this week has been rough for her, as well as last week. She ran a cross-country race yesterday and didn't medal. Last year in this same race, she DID medal, but not this year...and sadly by only one place. She was devastated and I was heartbroken for her. She only has one more race this year and she feels defeated. The race last week, she was a whole minute and a half slower...it was warm and hilly and she was running with varsity level girls. She only sees the defeat. I hate watching her feel so defeated when she has so much to be proud of.
Then, this morning she discovered that she had lost one of her earrings, and her favorite ones no less. We compensated by wearing a very blingy pair of earrings today but she so desperately wanted those other ones for picture day tomorrow and that won't happen.
She'll manage, I know, but it's hard to watch no less.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Monday, June 11, 2018
Weird Day
Today has started off to be a weird day. Weird thing one: this morning, when taking the kiddo to summer day camp, we actually made it out of the house on time. This brings me to weird thing number two: we pulled into the parking lot at the same time as my kiddo's friend. Normally I walk my daughter into the building, sign her in, chat with the staff for a bit, and then make my way out. Once upon a time, I even used to wave to the camera above the door on my way out. Sometimes I would get a request to make a silly face, which I always obliged. Lately, I've been waving to the camera but I don't think anyone is watching. Is still do it though. But today, when I pulled up I asked, "am I walking you in?" and she said, "no, I'll walk in with [my friend]." In the time she said that I had already turned the car off so she said, "I guess you can walk me in if you want" and when I asked her what she wanted to do, she said she wanted to walk in with her friend. So, for the very first time since we've been going to this school and camp, she walked herself in without me. I even stood by the fence to wave as she went into the door but she didn't wave back, she just went in, let the door close behind her and away she went. So I got in my car and I drove off a bit confused, a lot sad, and even a little bit happy. Driving away it occurred to me how weird my day was. Then weird thing number 3: traffic was light. That happens over the summer. Even with construction ongoing, and even with an alternate route that I have to take since my normal exit is partially closed, it was smooth driving into work. It was apocalyptic! All that ended up at weird thing four: I was on time to work. I can't tell you the last time I was on time for work. But it happened!
I'm anticipating a pretty crappy and stressful day, so let's hope my weird morning is just a sign of good things to come.
In other news:
Bugs: we camped this weekend, the first time this season. We got tick bites, and while mine sort of just disappeared, the kiddo's looks reddish around the spot. Not bad, but enough to notice. It looked like she was scratching it. I have to keep an eye on it. Then, when swimming yesterday evening the kiddo and I were both stung my bees. Nothing came of those.
Piano: The kiddo is starting piano lessons this summer and will continue into the school year. She was playing the violin but didn't enjoy it (or rather, was struggling and she didn't enjoy the struggle). She requested to play piano and I wasn't comfortable having her play two instruments during school so she picked piano. I am considering taking violin lessons myself as I really enjoyed the time I spent playing around and practicing with my kiddo.
2nd Grade: The last day of first grade was in May and here we are in June. We're slammed with things to do from now until the end of July which means 2nd grade will be here in no time. I'm overwhelmed with the fact that my child has grown up so quickly. I knew it was going to happen but it's a struggle none the less.
I'm anticipating a pretty crappy and stressful day, so let's hope my weird morning is just a sign of good things to come.
In other news:
Bugs: we camped this weekend, the first time this season. We got tick bites, and while mine sort of just disappeared, the kiddo's looks reddish around the spot. Not bad, but enough to notice. It looked like she was scratching it. I have to keep an eye on it. Then, when swimming yesterday evening the kiddo and I were both stung my bees. Nothing came of those.
Piano: The kiddo is starting piano lessons this summer and will continue into the school year. She was playing the violin but didn't enjoy it (or rather, was struggling and she didn't enjoy the struggle). She requested to play piano and I wasn't comfortable having her play two instruments during school so she picked piano. I am considering taking violin lessons myself as I really enjoyed the time I spent playing around and practicing with my kiddo.
2nd Grade: The last day of first grade was in May and here we are in June. We're slammed with things to do from now until the end of July which means 2nd grade will be here in no time. I'm overwhelmed with the fact that my child has grown up so quickly. I knew it was going to happen but it's a struggle none the less.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Last Day of First Grade
It's bittersweet to watch your child grow up. You want them to grow up into amazing people, and in some ways, each stage is more wonderful than the last. But by growing up, you have to say goodbye to the sweet innocent baby you once held in your arms, and the child that looked to you for everything. It's closing one chapter to start a new one, and you have no idea where the next chapter takes you. It's scary and fun. And for me a little bit sad. But alas we move on...
This year was a fun one. My kiddo started the year somewhere around 38 pounds, 43.5" tall, in a high-backed car booster, not able to read, and not able to add or subtract. It was her first year of school sitting at a desk of her own instead of a table. It was her first year of what I think of as a structured learning. She took tests this year, she had homework most nights and each weekend, she had a reading group at school, she participated in cross country and the Internation Club, learned to play the violin, learned to read some music, learned to read in general, aced a whole bunch of spelling tests and did a whole lot of math homework ranging from simple geometry, addition/subtraction, fractions, time, money, measuring, and more... It's a lot of fundamental learning!
I remember when her teacher did the home visit before school started, she told us all the things that first graders learn. She mentioned math, reading, and spelling in general. I had spent that entire summer working with my kiddo to help her read and it was a massive struggle with everyone ending up frustrated. So after hearing these three topics, after the teacher left, my kiddo was terrified and upset. She didn't know how to do any of those things and didn't want to go to first grade. She kept going on about how she had no idea how to spell. In the end, she learned all three and only missed 2 points total out of all her spelling words!
This was her first year taking a state test to evaluate the students for academic achievement. She ended up sick on day one of the exams, being sent home with a 103-degree fever followed by a week-long absence where she had to make up the remainder of her exam. It was also her first exposure to the exam so I took the scores lightly. She didn't do terribly but has some obvious struggles. At least we have a focus.
She medaled in cross country, as a first grader among mostly older students. In particular, I recall talking to the mom on an 8th grader and this student was so disappointed in herself because she let a 1st grader beat her. I try to remind my kiddo of that often...don't let what you think you can't do hold you back!
She played the violin, and while she started the year wanting to play it, she struggled and decided she would rather try piano. When her violin teacher asked her if she would be playing again the following year, instead of saying no, she told him she might be moving and wouldn't be at that school. She learns passivity from me! Anyway, I think we'll try piano next year.
This year also saw her class leading chapel for the first time, each child having a turn speaking in front of a crowd. They participated in the school Christmas program (not with early childhood classes) and had a fun Veggie Tales themed Spring concert. She participated in the strings Christmas program but since she was inexperienced with the violin, she was pretty bummed about it.
We end the year over 48" tall, 41 pounds, and in a regular booster. It's been a whirlwind. I'm not ready for it to be over but...well...you remember that feeling you got as a kid on the last day of school? You were sad that you wouldn't see your friends all summer and if you liked your teacher you were sad to leave them behind but once you were out the door, homework-free with loads of leftover school supplies, that feeling...I'm so happy she gets to have that feeling. So for me, I'm sad, for her, I'm giddy with excitement!
This year was a fun one. My kiddo started the year somewhere around 38 pounds, 43.5" tall, in a high-backed car booster, not able to read, and not able to add or subtract. It was her first year of school sitting at a desk of her own instead of a table. It was her first year of what I think of as a structured learning. She took tests this year, she had homework most nights and each weekend, she had a reading group at school, she participated in cross country and the Internation Club, learned to play the violin, learned to read some music, learned to read in general, aced a whole bunch of spelling tests and did a whole lot of math homework ranging from simple geometry, addition/subtraction, fractions, time, money, measuring, and more... It's a lot of fundamental learning!
I remember when her teacher did the home visit before school started, she told us all the things that first graders learn. She mentioned math, reading, and spelling in general. I had spent that entire summer working with my kiddo to help her read and it was a massive struggle with everyone ending up frustrated. So after hearing these three topics, after the teacher left, my kiddo was terrified and upset. She didn't know how to do any of those things and didn't want to go to first grade. She kept going on about how she had no idea how to spell. In the end, she learned all three and only missed 2 points total out of all her spelling words!
This was her first year taking a state test to evaluate the students for academic achievement. She ended up sick on day one of the exams, being sent home with a 103-degree fever followed by a week-long absence where she had to make up the remainder of her exam. It was also her first exposure to the exam so I took the scores lightly. She didn't do terribly but has some obvious struggles. At least we have a focus.
She medaled in cross country, as a first grader among mostly older students. In particular, I recall talking to the mom on an 8th grader and this student was so disappointed in herself because she let a 1st grader beat her. I try to remind my kiddo of that often...don't let what you think you can't do hold you back!
She played the violin, and while she started the year wanting to play it, she struggled and decided she would rather try piano. When her violin teacher asked her if she would be playing again the following year, instead of saying no, she told him she might be moving and wouldn't be at that school. She learns passivity from me! Anyway, I think we'll try piano next year.
This year also saw her class leading chapel for the first time, each child having a turn speaking in front of a crowd. They participated in the school Christmas program (not with early childhood classes) and had a fun Veggie Tales themed Spring concert. She participated in the strings Christmas program but since she was inexperienced with the violin, she was pretty bummed about it.
We end the year over 48" tall, 41 pounds, and in a regular booster. It's been a whirlwind. I'm not ready for it to be over but...well...you remember that feeling you got as a kid on the last day of school? You were sad that you wouldn't see your friends all summer and if you liked your teacher you were sad to leave them behind but once you were out the door, homework-free with loads of leftover school supplies, that feeling...I'm so happy she gets to have that feeling. So for me, I'm sad, for her, I'm giddy with excitement!
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Friday, March 23, 2018
Stop at the Door
Typically, on days I don't work I take the kiddo to school. Her school has the traditional drive lane drop off but I usually park and walk her into school, up the stairs, and to the door of her classroom. Today was the first day that the kiddo asked me to just walk her to the front door. Sadness.
I'm glad she's growing in personal strength to not need me to walk her up but, sheesh, I think I'm going to go cry and eat chocolate now.
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