Grateful

I'm trying to put some quiet back in my life and take up writing more.  We'll see....

....for today I'll just be grateful for this.

Seriously, No Photos.

Last week Libby told me she was going to walk to the cafeteria by herself.  This is a big deal.  Everyday she comes to school with me I ask her, "Do you want me to walk you to the cafeteria today, or are you going to walk yourself?"  Everyday until now she's wanted me to walk with her.  Then last week she informed me she was going it alone.  

"Okay.  That's cool."  I was totally nonchalant.  I snapped this picture, which mildly irritated her and then she told me to go into my classroom.  

That's my door on the left.  She's headed down that long hallway, into a gated breezeway, through another set of heavy doors to the cafeteria.  We said our good-byes and I went into my classroom.  

Then, I peeked out of my door and took this shot....

See her down there?  She's the teeny tiny one masquerading as a big girl in the gigantic hallway all by herself.  So I had to take a picture.  Then she turned around a caught me.

Oops. Ugh.

If you know my girl, then you know that she doesn't mind being the center of attention on her terms.  Well, on anyone's terms really.  Just not on mine.  That's the truth, really.  If I'm not present she will buck up every time.  If I'm there, or if, God forbid, I'm the one making a big deal or giving the attention....forget it. I embarrass her beyond reason.  I don't applaud unless I know she can't find me in the audience.  Except sometimes I forget.  Singing Happy Birthday is off limits.  More than once I've absentmindedly celebrated her successfully buckling her own seatbelt, in the privacy of our own car, only to have her cry the entire way to wherever we were going.  So you can imagine how this moment ruined her life.  She just fell apart right there where she's standing.  I recovered the pieces and delivered her teary self to the cafeteria.  You'd think I'd learn.  

Mr. Knows It

Any quotes that I post here usually come from my kids.  This one isn't.  I bet you can guess who this little exchange was between.

"Listen,  I know you think you know what you're talking about, but when it comes to this, I'd rather not give them the wrong information."

"Hey, I'm just making it right."

"No, you're making it up.  That's not the same thing."

November's Over?

I can't keep up with time as it flies by.  Maybe I should stop trying and just enjoy the ride.

Sister Love

This is a typical looking assembly at my school except now Libby is one of the kids in the crowd.  Betcha can't find her. 

Bret and Zeke came down last month.  Oh, we love him.  He loved Libby.  Climbed up on her and snuggled in.  Sweet thing.

 Snuggle Bugs.

 Dog Pile!