Haleigh's dance recital and birthday

My oldest granddaughter, Haleigh, is 7 years old and in second grade. Her sister, Hannah, is 2 years old and is my youngest granddaughter (at this point in my life). They live with mommy (my daughter) and daddy in a city that is 170 miles from my home. I don't get to see them on a regular basis; as often as I getto see my other granddaughter, Willa. Willa is 3 years old. Willa and her mommy (my daughter) and daddy live very close to me.

I attended Haleigh's second dance recital on June 14, 2008 (that was also her 7th birthday). She has been enrolled in dance classes for 2 years; jazz, ballet, and tap. With only having 2 years experience she gave excellent performances. She didn't make one "boo-boo"; or if she did it wasn't noticeable. I was very proud of her! If she would decide to pursue this talent, I think she will be very successful.

Mommy and daddy had to leave little sister with a "sitter"; she just isn't quite old enough to understand that you need to sit still and be quiet during recitals. Like all little sisters, Hannah thinks she is big enough to do everything her big sister does!

Haleigh is also on a "diving team". I was able to attend one of her diving meets in July 2008. She, again, performed very well. However, their team didn't return home with any medals. I was so nervous when she was performing her flip (I think that is what this particular dive is called). Mommy told me that she had hit her head on the diving board during a previous practice and that Haleigh had become a little apprehensive since that incident. The incident didn't cause any serious injuries; I'm so thankful! I was still so nervous watching her. The back flip dive has a higher degree of difficulty. I was so very nervous when she had to perform this dive. She performed the back flip pretty well. It wasn't the best; but considering the incident she experienced at practice, I think she did a great job! Her "front dive" was EXCELLENT! She has a great front dive (and I really mean GREAT); and she is only 7 years old!!!! I think she could become a great diver if she decides to pursue this talent further (as well as the dancing talent) . Am I a typical Gramma, or what?

I don't know how long the "diving and dancing" phase will last. What will be next? I'm very happy that she is doing what makes her happy; and that those things are things that help her "grow" and "mature". I am very proud of her and love her very much!

Willa's first two days of Pre-K

I, Gramma Debbie, was lucky enough to experience Willa's first two days of Pre-K at St. Margaret of Scotland School. I was so excited; yet, it was emotional, too. It brought back several memories of when my own daughters had to experience "a change of routine", and knowing the anxiety they were feeling. No matter how hard you try to make your kids (or grand kids) feel secure it's hard for them to leave their "comfort" zone knowing they are unsure of what to expect (fear of the unknown). Christine (mommy) and Bill (daddy) are teachers themselves. Their schools had started a few weeks prior to Willa starting her new school. Willa's new school began with 2 half days of school before proceeding on to conducting a full day schedule. Mommy was able to take a day off of work on Willa's first day. I tagged along so I could "learn the ropes"; what time does Willa's day begin and end, what door should I use when taking and picking up Willa, where is Willa's classroom, what is Willa's teacher's name, etc. Although Willa usually is very flexible and seems to receive "change" pretty well, I wasn't sure how she would receive this "change". After all, she is getting older, and more aware of "what's going on". Appearing somewhat apprehensive, Willa seemed to be handling things pretty well initially. After arriving at school Mommy and I hung around to get Willa settled, and familiar with the teachers and her surroundings. We took pictures (she looked so cute and grownup), and talked very positively with her about all the new friends she would be making and new things she would be learning and doing. Eventually it was time for parents to say "goodbye" to the kids. Mommy leaned down to give Willa a kiss goodbye but Willa didn't want Mommy to leave. She put her arms around Mommy's neck and got those big tears in her eyes that were rolling down her cheeks. I looked at Mommy and saw big tears in her eyes, too. I felt awful; I wanted to console my daughter and my granddaughter but didn't know what to do. I could feel tears coming into my eyes, too. I had to turn my head away. One of the teachers saw what was happening and was able to distract Willa. After leaving we both felt so sad; hoping that Willa would only be sad for a short time. When we picked Willa up after school she was wearing a "smile". That made us feel better; at least for a while.

Soon after picking Willa up from school Mommy and I started worrying about "tomorrow" and the "day after". "Tomorrow" meant that Mommy wouldn't be able to take Willa to school; and the "day after" meant it would be Willa's first full day of school, and she would be experiencing a different "before care" and "after care" environment.

"Tomorrow" went fairly well. Willa arrived at my house before school strutting her "smile"; as she usually does. However, mommy told me that she was crying a little bit before they left their house, and that Willa had said that she didn't want to go to her new school. Willa seemed pleasantly happy, but anxious. As I was driving her to school she informed me that she didn't want to go to her new school. As a way of trying to get her relaxed I told her that "sometimes I don't want to go to work either; but my boss tells me that once I get to work I will feel better". I knew she was listening because she informed me that she didn't have a boss at her school. I had to laugh inside myself. I changed the subject by asking her where she would like to eat lunch, and where would she like to go after lunch. After arriving at school, and as I was helping Willa out of the car she said, so seriously; "I think I'm feeling better now". She looked so cute when she said that! We walked into her classroom and she led me to the back of the classroom where there was a smaller connecting room that had two doorways on each side. As she was pointing to the connecting room in the back of the classroom she said, "this is the room where you have to hang your backpack". She led me to the door on the left side of the connecting room and said, " this is the door you have to use when you go in this room". Once we were inside the connecting room she showed me her hook that she hangs her backpack on. Then she said, "the other door (she pointed to the door on the right side of the connecting room) is the door you have to use when you go out of this room". With all the anxiety and "change" she was experiencing I was impressed with what she had already learned from her first half day of school. After we left the connecting room Willa started showing me some things in her classroom. She showed me the praying mantis that was in a bug cage, she showed me her drawer where she kept her name tag and papers, she pointed out the displays the teachers had attached to the walls and bulletin boards, etc. I could tell it was getting close to the time for me to leave and I could feel myself starting to get anxious. I began remembering how she had big tears in her eyes and hung onto Mommy the previous morning. I was hoping I wouldn't "fall apart". While I was experiencing this memory and feeling anxious, Willa came up to me and gave me a big hug around my legs. When I leaned down to give her a kiss goodbye I saw a smile on her face (not a big one, but at least it was a smile). I told her I would be back in a few hours to pick her up; then she gave me a kiss and hugged my neck. She let go of my neck and walked across the room where other kids were. I was so happy that things went pretty smooth (for her and me) that morning. On the way home I started thinking that possibly she has already adjusted to her new school environment. Well, not totally... after picking her up from school and while driving to McDonald's she said, "I asked my teacher if I could go back to my old school and she said I couldn't". Although my earlier thoughts about the possibility that Willa had already adjusted to her new school environment were "wishful thinking" thoughts, it was that statement she made that made reality sink in; that it would take a little bit longer for Willa to completely adjust. Overall, though, I think she is handling her new daily routine very well.

On Willa's third day (and full day) of school Mommy took her to "before care" and picked her up from "after care". I had returned to work that day and kept wondering how Willa's day was going. As soon as possible, I called Mommy to inquire. Mommy said Willa handled the "before care" and "after care" fairly well; that Willa seemed tired but mommy was assuming that Willa was probably not napping comfortably due to the anxiety and changes she was experiencing.

All in all, Mommy, Daddy, and I feel confident that it will not be long before Will begin feeling very comfortable and secure. I love that little "Willa" so much, and the only thing I want for her is to feel happy, confident, and secure.