Tag: Education

My last day in Kindergarten

Where has the year gone?  Today was my last day helping out in Madison’s class.  Instead of the normal writing assignment, the kids painted butterfly wings.  The other Mom who rotated weeks with me all year was also there.  We met up in the office by chance as we were signing into the school.  The Kindergarten building is actually made up of 2 different buildings due to additions over time.  We have to sign in at the main building, then walk to the next and buzz in.  As we were signing in a massive storm was rolling in.  Of course as soon as we walked out of the door the skies opened up.  We did not have to go far but I am sure the sight of the two crazy middle-aged woman running down the ramp was a sight to be seen.

It was a nice day with the children.  As we walked in the class, a little soggy, the kids all thanked us in Kindergarten unison.  Madi’s teacher even gave us a little thank you gift, totally unnecessary!  If she only knew how much I have enjoyed the time in the class! Her teacher was a wonderful young woman, I can only hope we run into more like her along the way!

I took Madison home with me which was a big wish list item for her.  Thankfully by the time we left the storm had rolled through.  I can not believe that next week she will officially be pre-first grader! My baby is growing up.

On a totally different note, Megan’s piano recital is next week.  Her father recorded her this morning so she could see herself.  I still remember her little baby fingers banging on the red plastic piano with multi colored keys as a baby.  You have come a long way Megan!  Just beautiful!

A very special ending

Endings, often emotional, never repeatable.  Some we are thrilled to see happen, others we wish would never come.  This week I have 2 endings in process, one fitting in each category.

Wednesday I scheduled what I hope to be the last surgery I have for a very long time.  After the multiple ultrasounds it is time to have those pesky uterine polyps out.  This is expected to be a quick and relatively pain-free procedure.  I am also able to have it done at the surgery center which I am pleased about, having more than my fill of hospitals last year.  This is an ending I have been looking forward to for months!  It does not occur until mid-July but at least it is on the schedule.

An ending that I am not so happy to see will happen in just a few hours.  It is the “very special  endings” ceremony at Madison’s school.  They do not have a graduation ceremony for Kindergarten.  Instead they have this little gathering where they will sing, recite a poem and receive a certificate.  My baby is heading to first grade soon.  Amazing how quickly time flies!

They have been practicing for weeks.  She comes home and hides in her room so I can not see what she is doing.  Two days ago we had to spend time picking the “perfect” outfit. A pretty floral dress and her new “high heel” sandals.  For such a rough and tumble little girl, it always amazes me how much of a little diva she can become when she wants to dress up.  I guess the balance is good…god help me lol!

I am very proud of her growth this year.  She went to school reading just a few sight words and she ends reading small chapter books.  Her math skills are off the charts and the thoughtful questions that she poses to me on a very regular basis at times throw me for a loop.

Madison is a wonderful, smart, beautiful little girl and I could not be more proud!Image

Excited about learning, a different view

rewards-for-good-gradesI never knew just how fun learning could be until I could view it through the eye’s of my children.  I was less than a stellar student.  My grades were good in high school and actually excellent in college but for many reasons grade school was really difficult for me.  Not only did I not enjoy school, I think I can honestly say I hated it.  Maybe it was the small catholic school where everyone knew everything about everything, or the comparison to my more academically inclined siblings.  Maybe it was the latch key kid thing at age 7, the divorced parents, or the…or the….

It does not matter.

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger” -Friedrich Nietzsche

I have lived by this quote my entire life.  So many live in the shadow of their own past, fall victim to things they can not control, allow it to affect how they live their lives.  Others use experiences to shape who they become.  I decided on this route.

From the time my girls were babies, I have tried to do anything and everything to make learning fun.  I never want them to experience what I did.  I have spent many hours reading to them, hours sitting at the table working on workbooks with them and many a fun afternoon performing science experiments with them.  My husband and I both welcome and encourage questions on just about anything and we do not hide current events from them.

Who knows what the future holds.  All I can do is what I feel is best for my girls at the time, what I think will help them to grow into strong, intelligent, self-sufficient young women.  Along the way I receive such joy as they grow each day.

With each day I learn, who knew just how fun learning could be!