The time is quickly approaching where Rachel will officially be a "Big Kid", in my opinion. Tomorrow is her last full day before she crosses another milestone. The process for preparing her for school has been lengthy. At least from a parents' perspective. For her, she's excited to go to a big school with a new classroom. She's still innocent and oblivious to what's going on around her. And for the most part, this is good.
For her, emotionally, this week isn't that big of a deal. For me, it is. Last week I was completely logical. This isn't a big deal, we'll have a couple of days of transition and boom: we'll fall into a routine. Today as we attended the ice cream social where literally 600 people descend on the school to meet the teacher, drop off school supplies, wait in a L-O-N-G line for cheap ice cream and then run into other families doing the same I began to sunk in: my kid's growing up. And while that is sad for me, I'm also thrilled.
Some milestones in Rachel's short life I feel have been me dragging her kicking and screaming to cross them. Like potty training. Can I get an Amen that she's attending school potty trained?! Anyone else remember me commenting about how at the age of 3 she was showing ZERO interest in the matter and therefore I was afraid I'd be dealing with that at the last minute?
And the pacifier? Without the help of my in-laws who mistakenly (and with all honesty) lost her "night night" under a piece of unknown furniture that little device would still be in our lives and braces would cost us a fortune way ahead of time. And yet, here we are....sans pacifier.
Which brings me to now. She may not be able to tie her shoes or read many words. But I am honestly humbled that each time I take this child somewhere new or introduce her to someone else she is so well behaved. She gave her teacher a hug as she met her for the first time tonight and I could tell the teacher melted a little. She'll hug anyone I introduce her to as a way of saying goodbye because I insist she do that to our family members and she's just become comfortable with doing so.
Although her follow through sometimes needs a bit of work, her heart is tender and she is aware of the emotional atmosphere in the room around her. She is constantly thinking of others and asking how to help.
No, we don't get to go to the playground as often as either she or I would like. No, we don't run all over the place experiencing a ton of new places and things right now either. Unfortunately, we have too much going on.
But this kid takes joy in the little things. She will innocently ask for something (A birthday party, a new toy, a trip to this or that) and when I explain to her why we can't/won't/shouldn't or even might, there's no whining or tears anymore. I can take her to the toy store and let her look at the toys now without fear I'll have to buy something or suffer a melt down.
For being 5, this is a pretty phenomenal kid. So.....here we go. Ready to pull her though, one milestone at a time....to graduate in 2029.
For her, emotionally, this week isn't that big of a deal. For me, it is. Last week I was completely logical. This isn't a big deal, we'll have a couple of days of transition and boom: we'll fall into a routine. Today as we attended the ice cream social where literally 600 people descend on the school to meet the teacher, drop off school supplies, wait in a L-O-N-G line for cheap ice cream and then run into other families doing the same I began to sunk in: my kid's growing up. And while that is sad for me, I'm also thrilled.
Some milestones in Rachel's short life I feel have been me dragging her kicking and screaming to cross them. Like potty training. Can I get an Amen that she's attending school potty trained?! Anyone else remember me commenting about how at the age of 3 she was showing ZERO interest in the matter and therefore I was afraid I'd be dealing with that at the last minute?
And the pacifier? Without the help of my in-laws who mistakenly (and with all honesty) lost her "night night" under a piece of unknown furniture that little device would still be in our lives and braces would cost us a fortune way ahead of time. And yet, here we are....sans pacifier.
Which brings me to now. She may not be able to tie her shoes or read many words. But I am honestly humbled that each time I take this child somewhere new or introduce her to someone else she is so well behaved. She gave her teacher a hug as she met her for the first time tonight and I could tell the teacher melted a little. She'll hug anyone I introduce her to as a way of saying goodbye because I insist she do that to our family members and she's just become comfortable with doing so.
Although her follow through sometimes needs a bit of work, her heart is tender and she is aware of the emotional atmosphere in the room around her. She is constantly thinking of others and asking how to help.
No, we don't get to go to the playground as often as either she or I would like. No, we don't run all over the place experiencing a ton of new places and things right now either. Unfortunately, we have too much going on.
But this kid takes joy in the little things. She will innocently ask for something (A birthday party, a new toy, a trip to this or that) and when I explain to her why we can't/won't/shouldn't or even might, there's no whining or tears anymore. I can take her to the toy store and let her look at the toys now without fear I'll have to buy something or suffer a melt down.
For being 5, this is a pretty phenomenal kid. So.....here we go. Ready to pull her though, one milestone at a time....to graduate in 2029.
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