Tommorow is the last day of school for my 7 year old. First grade has been such a year of growth and challenges. It hardly feels like it should be over, but I am glad nonetheless. She had a great year of learning and I am mucho proud of all that she has accomplished in these nine months. She went from struggling to read a single word, to gobbling up every word she can find either in books or on the road. She has confidence in her ability now and I am so happy to find that she enjoys reading almost as much as I do.
This year was a year full of major academic accomplishments, but also a year that I learned more about my youngest child than I ever thought I could at this age. For instance, I learned that she could have a crush on a boy at this young age. Surprise and a little trepidation about her blushing glances at the boy in her classroom. Since I volunteer in the class at least once a week, I was able to witness her actions firsthand. It was so odd to see her acting as if the boy didn't exist, yet know she was very well aware of his every movement. When I would ask her questions about him, she would get embarrassed and act coy and shy about her crush...running from the room if too many people were around. I was very careful not to make too big a deal out of it. I always want her to be able to tell me anything without fear, so I took tender steps when discussing her feelings for this boy.
I think the reason she had a crush at such a young age is the ever presence of her older (21) sister and her boyfriend, now fiance. Her first real crush was on this young man who spends many hours with our family. Seeing her older sister in a relationship sparked that sibling rivalry (yes...even at their ages) for the affections of someone from outside the family. Nothing at all inappropriate, just taking extra care to be especially well behaved around him and get him to notice her in some small way. Perfectly harmless and a safe way to experience relationships. We are so happy to have him in our family and he treats my youngest like she was his own sister. Hence....the first grade crush. Not uncommon, just unexpected.
Now that school will be over after the easy half day tomorrow, I am ready for sleeping in, lazy breakfasts, lunch at the park, sifting through the sand at the chilly Seattle beaches, spending the day in the boat crabbing or fishing, sipping wine on the back deck, drinking in all the hours of sunlight, and tanning up my white flesh. I have signed up my youngest for many activities at the parks. She will even be attending a horse day camp! I want us to be active every day she is out of school, even if that means we go to a movie or just walk around the mall. She is at an age that we can keep the reins held tight when necessary, but let her extend her wings enough to learn to control her energy.
I am so very proud of her milestones this year and am really enjoying this stage of her life. She is a fascinating, yet sometimes maddening child and I am going to revel in every single moment I have with her this summer. I miss the baby-ness of her infancy and toddler years, but I am glad she is at this wonderful age of curiosity that makes it a joy to be with her. I truly love my kid and her big sister. Their dad and I are in a happy place and feel very lucky to have such great children to share life with. It's a good life!
This year was a year full of major academic accomplishments, but also a year that I learned more about my youngest child than I ever thought I could at this age. For instance, I learned that she could have a crush on a boy at this young age. Surprise and a little trepidation about her blushing glances at the boy in her classroom. Since I volunteer in the class at least once a week, I was able to witness her actions firsthand. It was so odd to see her acting as if the boy didn't exist, yet know she was very well aware of his every movement. When I would ask her questions about him, she would get embarrassed and act coy and shy about her crush...running from the room if too many people were around. I was very careful not to make too big a deal out of it. I always want her to be able to tell me anything without fear, so I took tender steps when discussing her feelings for this boy.
I think the reason she had a crush at such a young age is the ever presence of her older (21) sister and her boyfriend, now fiance. Her first real crush was on this young man who spends many hours with our family. Seeing her older sister in a relationship sparked that sibling rivalry (yes...even at their ages) for the affections of someone from outside the family. Nothing at all inappropriate, just taking extra care to be especially well behaved around him and get him to notice her in some small way. Perfectly harmless and a safe way to experience relationships. We are so happy to have him in our family and he treats my youngest like she was his own sister. Hence....the first grade crush. Not uncommon, just unexpected.
Now that school will be over after the easy half day tomorrow, I am ready for sleeping in, lazy breakfasts, lunch at the park, sifting through the sand at the chilly Seattle beaches, spending the day in the boat crabbing or fishing, sipping wine on the back deck, drinking in all the hours of sunlight, and tanning up my white flesh. I have signed up my youngest for many activities at the parks. She will even be attending a horse day camp! I want us to be active every day she is out of school, even if that means we go to a movie or just walk around the mall. She is at an age that we can keep the reins held tight when necessary, but let her extend her wings enough to learn to control her energy.
I am so very proud of her milestones this year and am really enjoying this stage of her life. She is a fascinating, yet sometimes maddening child and I am going to revel in every single moment I have with her this summer. I miss the baby-ness of her infancy and toddler years, but I am glad she is at this wonderful age of curiosity that makes it a joy to be with her. I truly love my kid and her big sister. Their dad and I are in a happy place and feel very lucky to have such great children to share life with. It's a good life!
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