A beautiful fall day. A walk in our woods, games in the yard, time spent with the critters. Dinner on the porch; smore's. Perfection.
Travelingjenny
Navigating the hilly terrain of motherhood
about
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Today both girls visited the school library with their classes. This was Tess's first time to get to do so — and she loved it. She chose a book about sharks, as well as a sweet picture book. Grace chose two books about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Because third grade is serious business, you know!
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Tess had so much fun practicing her bike riding on Monday that she asked to go back to Nana's house for more riding on Tuesday. So off we went. And Tess was amazing. As soon as we arrived, I helped her get started and she rode all the way down the street and around the culdesac and back without stopping, grinning the whole way. As she hopped off her bike she said, "Mom! It feels different somehow! It feels like I got the hang of it!" Such a proud moment — for all of us.
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A few weeks ago, Tess suddenly proclaimed that she was ready to ditch her training wheels and learn to ride a two-wheeler. A declaration like that is typical for this thoughtful, cautious child, who doesn't do anything until she is good and ready. That very morning, she and Grace spent some (unsupervised) time in our gravelly driveway, discussing and working on this new skill. Later that day, we took Grace's old bike over to Nana's house, where the streets are paved and quiet. I spent about half an hour with Tess, holding the bike upright and running alongside, then letting go in a subtle fashion. Tess caught on right away, though her fear of falling kept her from going too far. She stopped while she still felt successful, and we kind of forgot about it for a while. Then today, after school, Tess tearfully told me she really wants to learn to ride a two-wheeler. So off to Nana's we went. And the kid gets it. She can ride all the way down and around the culdesac and can stop nicely. She still needs help getting started, but that's what older sisters are for (well, that and sweet encouragement). We are all very proud of our little chickadee, and she is very proud of herself, too.
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A hike with amazing views, leisurely shopping, over-the-top delicious meals, reading the New York Times over coffee, and uninterrupted conversation with my husband. Perfection!
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Our sweet, enthusiastic third grader was beyond excited to start school. Her new teacher is well loved and Grace has been sending her mail telling her how much she likes her (we're trying not to think about the fact that she is due to have a baby in three weeks). Third grade is a big deal — you get your own desk (no more sitting at tables), and you bring your own pencil bag, and you get homework! Yes, homework!! Grace arrived home after the first day of school and announced (several times) that she had been given homework! She unpacked her backpack and spread her papers out on the table and requested space and quiet because — well, you know — she had homework! Now it did not matter one bit that it was Tuesday and this homework was due the following Monday — it must, of course, be done immediately. And so it was.
Third grade is awesome. And third graders are even more awesome.
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How is this possible? How can my little buddy already be in first grade? With a missing front tooth, and shiny new big-kid sneakers? Sweet Tess was pretty excited (though also a bit nervous), and had a big grin on her face as she got started making the name sign for her cubby this morning. Later I saw her in the hallway getting her snack, with the same huge smile. And then I saw her coming back from recess – her first recess! – holding hands with a classmate, both eating apples they had just picked. She's going to be just fine, and she's going to learn to read and do math and all of those other amazing big-kid things. And I'm going to eagerly listen to her tell stories about how amazing and fun it is, and yes – my heart is going to break a little, because I just can't believe this is all going by so fast.
And don't even get me started on third grade (more on that soon)…
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Read, or bike? Only Grace would try to do both and actually succeed. I love that about her.
Travelingjenny 