Maddy had her first day as a 5th grader on Monday.
You'll be happy to know that she survived.
Although I think she didn't want to exactly say it out loud,
she was nervous.
Each new school year brings a bit of anxiety.
This year was a little more difficult as neither of her two best girlfriends
are in her classroom.
She'll see them before school and at recess, so that helps.
Knowing that it might be a challenging first day,
we spent the weekend before school started doing lots of her favorite things!
She had one of her best friends sleepover on Saturday night.
Lots of whispering and giggling!
Then, after Mass on Sunday, we went to Starbucks!
Lots of whispering and giggling!
Then, after Mass on Sunday, we went to Starbucks!
That may, in fact, be one of my favorite things,
but she likes it too and expanded her horizon in trying their
marble pound cake (yum -- i had to have a bite!)
since they were all out of her favorite cinnamon crumb coffeecake.
Later, we went to the zoo and rode that silly camel again!
We went shopping together and she bought a new book --
one of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books --
Hilarious!!
We starting reading it together Sunday night and
finished it (all 217 pages) in 3 days reading it together in the evenings.
Can I just say here that I love reading out loud with her!
I know it sounds kind of dorky, but it's so fun for both of us.
Can I just say here that I love reading out loud with her!
I know it sounds kind of dorky, but it's so fun for both of us.
And even though I thought it would be super to go out to eat,
we stayed home and I made her fave for dinner --
homemade tacos!
homemade tacos!
It's been a long time since I was in 5th grade, but I haven't forgotten
how scary the first day can be. And that 10-1/2 is a hard age --
almost ready to be more grown up, but still hating to leave the
comfort and security of home.
Gosh, it's taken me this long to figure out that raising kids is a
balancing act, isn’t it. Encouraging independence and a sense of
resourcefulness, but also being there for comfort and
emotional support. Wanting to keep her close,
but also to give her a little nudge,
letting go and watching her fly . . .
a little.
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| A favorite oldie! |
7 comments:
Aww she looks adorable on her first day. First days of school are hard, glad she made it through another one.
What a sweet post! I can't believe how grown-up Maddy looks in those pictures. I'm a little biased, but as the wife of one of your sons, I'd say you did a great job with the balancing act of motherhood. :)
Absolutely beautiful pics. 5th grade doesn't seem possible. How nice that you spent the weekend doing all kinds of "fun" things. We have high school jitters starting at our house. We don't go back until after Labor day.
Great post. It truly is a balancing act. And she is super cute!!
So glad Maddy survived her first day!
Parenting is sooo hard and it's so hard to give them wings!
I hope she has a great year!
She's so beautiful! Great post. I can't believe she's in 5th grade either! Happy School Year!
Alyzabeth's Mommy
Maddy looks beautiful as always. You are such a sweet and compassionate Mom, Janet. I love that you love reading with her at night. I do too. I also love all the things you did to help her feel better about starting the year. You rock!
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