What I learned from Kindergarten (my daughter’s)
Dear Delaney~
A first grader? YOU?? Aren’t you still my baby?
When did you learn to walk and talk? To run, jump, swing and swim?
Did I blink? You really aren’t a Kindergartner anymore?
Did the year fly by for you?
For me it felt like a few snaps, a quick turn of the jump rope, a roll of the eyes, and sweet little song.
I know you learned alot….I can see it in your smile, in the way you hold your head. I can tell by the way you look people in the eyes and say please and thank you instead of hiding behind me. I feel it when you want to walk without holding my hand…..and of course when you won’t let go. I can see it in how you treat your little brother.
I have learned a few things myself this year.
What I learned while you were in Kindergarten:
What you are doing each day at school is as much about what ISN’T in your official curriculum as what is
You really are right most of the time. If you argue vehemently that your Girl Scout patches go on the back of your vest, you are probably right - even though it seems silly to me.
Holding hands when you head out in to the world is still the best idea ever.
Do as I do is a much better motivator than Do as I say
Apparently 5 is the age when you begin to think your Mom has turned the corner onto Uncool Blvd. I was preparing for 15. (though I know you are still the best snuggler when it is just you and me)
I miss you. I know you need to grow, but I miss you.
I hurt when you hurt…. whether it is your skinned knees and elbows or your feelings.
You being YOU is both fabulous and frightening.
You are so tremendously creative - your drawing, journaling, coloring - it is amazing.
And your singing - don’t ever stop using this special talent.
You still need my hugs. Which is good….because I definitely need yours.
You remind me to believe in the world, to believe in myself and to experience joy as though it is my j-o-b.
I am a better person, a better mother for knowing you.
You are beautiful, intelligent, goofy (just like your daddy) and most importantly, Kind.
I am proud of you, Sweet Girl.
Could you just slow down on the whole growing-up-thing? I need you to need me a bit longer.
Love, Mommy
P.S. Nice work on the counting, the telling time, the reading. You are remarkable.
P.P.S You are welcome for the cookies.
Finding My Center
Sometimes life gets a little heavy.
You find yourself settling under layer after layer of junk until your breathing gets labored and you struggle to focus.
You can’t work, you can’t play, you question every little thing you do - from your ability to take care of your family - even doing laundry seems complicated - to completing work tasks - are you sure you can get it done?
The little voices in your head work both ways…. ”Of course you can get it done….” battling it out with, “I’ll never finish….”
When this happens….as is clearly the case right now….I try to focus on what is most important in my world - my center.
This picture showcases my center.
Four people - two big, two small. Experiencing joy in the setting I love most in the world.
Somehow, some way, this moment captures the place I need to be, the feelings I need to internalize.
I’m trying.
What do you do when you feel a little lost?
Wordless Wednesday
Gratitude - I am most thankful for…..
What makes me happiest!
When in doubt - remember my center - my reason for everything….that would be these two small people!
Back Home Again
At this time last week, Sunday evening - it felt just like any other week.
I was feeling grateful for my family, tickled by my kid’s antics and slightly overwhelmed by the week to come.
Little did I know.
But as crazy as the last few days have been - I find myself in much the same state of mind.
I’m even more grateful for my family than I was last week (if that is possible). My husband has proved time and time again that he is my biggest supporter, and my kids - they are just pure joy. Their antics are approaching new heights and they manage to make me giggle 7 times a day and laugh out loud at least 5. And, yes, I’m looking ahead to this week - and I am more than a little overwhelmed.
So - I will share my two favorite photos from the last few days -
This picture illustrates the ‘why’ of us being in New York City - to be on The Early Show on CBS - talking about our crazy picture story…
But this picture shows ‘us’ - and illustrates one of the many reasons I adore my family: We just have so much fun together. We waited in line twice to dance, run, and sing on the life size piano in FAO Schwartz - just like in the movie Big.
So - let the week and craziness begin! Hopefully, I’ll feel exactly the same come next Sunday evening.
Sticking Together
So, I am learning.
Each day is giving me a new opportunity for amazing life experiences. Today has been no exception. From the minute I woke up this morning until these last few moments I type, this crazy, small world story about our family picture ending up in another country has been *almost* the top of my mind.
*Almost* because nothing can ever truly edge my family out of their ’first place’ slot. And today’s chaos certainly lobbied to be the winner.
But all I have to do it look around. My husband spent his entire day at my side - helping to navigate our way through the inquiries and requests.
And…..right now….
Snuggled together just to my left are the two small people who bring me the most joy and make my life an adventure. Delaney has her four year old arm tucked protectively around Coop because we are in a new and strange place.
We are in New York City to visit CBS’s The Early Show first thing in the morning.
I know this will all die down, and when it does, we will still be the same family we were 2 weeks ago: We will still play baseball in the house, read to the kids every day, laugh through bath time, enjoy Friday night Family dinner dates and sit together for bed time prayers.
We will still stick together. We will still be us.
I hope, if you see us - or if you have seen any of the media on this story - you can recognize that my family means the world to me.
They show me every day what it means to love, they remind me how good it feels to belly laugh and how grateful I am we wake up in the same home together every day.
Thousand Word Thursday
I definitely have more than a Thousand Words for my family - love, joy, laughter, crazy, challenge, giggle, spunk, sassy….and I love my friend Elizabeth for creating this for me!
