Happy shiny nice things
I’ve spent the last few weeks mainly bitching about this or that so it’s about time I did a roundup of the nice things going on in my life or the nice stories to tell.
Gracie has been making me proud with her big heart even if she sometimes goes about her missions in sneaky ways (or tries to). She lockers with a girl named “S” with whom she knows I’m not totally pleased. Last year “S” and another girl “S” would purposefully exclude other girls when they’d buddy up. I would never have noticed had I not been there one morning before school watching Gracie stand by herself, away from the girls. This is not classic Gracie. I kept watching and realized what was going on.
I realize this happens in school all the time and with girls at this age especially but it was odd to see it happening with Gracie who isn’t known for being shy. In talking with her it seems that she bought into the idea that three is a crowd when it came to those two in particular. It didn’t seem as if the other girls in her class acted like that but for whatever reason, Gracie really likes “S” and enough to put up with it.
I had to have a talk with her because I wanted her to realize from a young age that while this might happen, it doesn’t mean it’s right. I told her that a friend is a friend every day and not just when another person isn’t around or when someone feels like being your friend that day. Last year I brought this up to her teacher (in conversation, not in a “you should see what that so-and-so brat did to my angel sort of way) and I learned a little background about “S” that made me better understand her behavior. It doesn’t excuse it but I cut a six year-old a lot of slack when they have stuff going on at home.
Anyhow, Gracie and “S” share a locker this year and Gracie was telling me one day that she shared her snack with “S.” My first thought was a selfish annoyance (I own that, sadly) but I simply told her that was very nice of her to share. She thanked me for saying that in her 6-turning-36 way and I had to chuckle. Thursday she informed me that she was a big girl now so she was going to start packing her own snacks. Hmmm. I told her that I thought it was a better idea if I kept doing it and if she wanted to show me she was a big girl then she could help pick up her room. I quickly figured out that it wasn’t her desire to be a big girl but rather her desire to bring her friend a snack that was her motivation. She was stunned I figured it out and further convinced her that I do, indeed, know everything. Mwhahaha!
The next morning Gracie asked if I could give her an extra snack for “S.” I sent two bananas with her but told her that her mom was going to have to start sending some snacks for “S” because we wouldn’t be able to do that all year. She said okay and slipped the extra banana into her lunch pack.
As much as I don’t want to be feeding an extra mouth snacks, I was beaming with pride that my daughter cared so much about this little girl, a girl who hasn’t always been the nicest to her, that she wanted to make sure she too had a snack. I’d like to think I’ve done good but it’s also very much her personality to have a huge heart like that. No matter where it comes from, it’s nice to know how loving she is.
I’m also happy to report that Iain scored a 100% on his first spelling test of the year. I was over the moon and so was he. I’m so proud of him for how hard he’s worked despite how much harder it is for him to get what the other kids get more easily. Sure, all parents are proud of a 100% paper but for parents like me, 100% is a thrill matched by not many things. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t be proud of him if he had an 80% paper; it’s just that getting 100% is icing on the cake when, for others, the icing is the cake.
Friday I discovered a nice, smiley thing on my porch. My friends Jen and Bob sent me some caffeinated hugs in the form of whole bean coffee from Intelligentsia. It was such an unexpected surprise and while I know that’s what they are like, it still caught me off guard but was very, very appreciated. Jen and Bob, thank you again so much. I love you guys. Q, your shoulder and your heart are gifts.
And speaking of much-loved friends, Kelly and Mike rock my world. Kelly for faithfully keeping up with my drama-laden life and Mike for helping Jeff haul things out of my “new” house while my mother, well, let’s just say she wasn’t being the easiest person in the world to deal with today (nor was I). Poor Mike had to be around that unpleasant awkwardness yet despite it, he’s made a running date with Jeff to continue to help on the weekends until we get things cleared out. Seriously, I can’t believe how blessed I am in the friends department. Much like my parenting I’d like to think it’s because I chose or acted well but I realize that it’s serendipity playing a large hand in bringing awesome people into my life. Well, Kelly was there in some way since first grade but it was in high school and then later in life after losing touch that I got the benefit of such a great friendship. Mike is icing on that cake. Thank you for being such a positive, giving presence in our lives.
And since this is turning into an Oscar speech, I don’t want to leave anyone out.
:: whips out crumpled note from pocket ::
(In no particular order!)
weeJen — thank you for being my voice of reason and also the person who doesn’t bat an eye when I’m a total and complete nutjob. I miss talking to you like I do when you’re off for the summer. Stupid soul-sucking job!
Maja — thank you for letting me vent about my Eastern European mother and understanding like no other what that’s like.
Christie — thank you for giving me a giggle when I need it. I miss you!
Suz — thank you for letting me vent about politics and the state of the economy while making me laugh about ass-eating pants.
Kai — thank you for being you. You probably don’t realize how much you make me laugh when I need it most.
:: cue music to exit stage right ::
Another nice surprise was an email from a long-lost friend. Gracie’s preschool teacher finally emailed to let me know how she’s doing. It was good to hear from her. I miss her smart-ass remarks since she moved to Bahhston. She’s having a good time so as long as she doesn’t get arrested or in other trouble then I won’t have to spank her. You know these kids today. I know Gracie misses her and still shares her affinity for all things Hello Kitty. Me too! If you’re reading, Krystn, I know I owe you an email. (I owe many people emails. :-/)
Oooh — the kids got the teachers I wanted this year. Gracie got Krystn’s mom and Iain got Mrs. P. This will mark year three of our teacher/parent (and friend although I don’t dish about Krystn to her parental units) relationship with Krystn’s mom and I was told that Mrs. P was the better choice for Iain in regard to working with his personality. I hope so. So far so good so fingers crossed for a good year. I’m looking forward to Gracie starting music again. We both slacked off big time as far as practicing the violin so hopefully it will be a kick in the pants to get us both back in gear. If I can swing it, it would be nice to get some private lessons from her summer teacher for me. I have a lot of fun playing and am disappointed in myself for not at least practicing a little each day. I’ll bet it would help with the stress. I love playing.
Anytime.
You probably don’t realize how much of an encouragement you are to me, either, but there it is. :*