Failed trip to NH

Sorry Jill, this isn't a positive posting, but it's honest and something I don't want to forget. Yesterday we tried to go to New Hampshire for a day trip. Shara was very unhappy all morning - contrary about everything. She had her final warning, was forced to eat some breakfast (we assumed she was so upset because she was hungry), put on her clothes, socks & shoes (with help and only after arguing with me about not wanting to wear anything on her feet), and we got out the door. We went to fill up the tank and Alan wanted coffee so we went to the D&D with the gas station. Shara wanted coffee too. I told her how kids weren't allowed to have coffee - she was picking anything she could to argue about. I asked if she wanted a coffee drink - she tried to argue about it, said she wanted a doughnut. I said ok - what kind? Alan said she should go in with him and see what they had, she wanted to come in with me. I said daddy is going to get his drink and I'm going to pump the gas, she only wanted to come in withe me. That was the end of it - I turned around and we went home. As I was weeding the garden and on and off crying (for over 2 hours) it occured to me that maybe she was scared about going. It was a new adventure (going to a cave) and a longish drive to get there. I blamed myself because we don't go on daytrips. Got more mad at myself because I love going on daytrips and haven't because Alan doesn't like to aimlessly drive about, so I don't push. Well now that it's probably causing Shara to not be used to going away for short trips, it's time to stop this. So I talked (cried) to alan about it and he said he likes going on trips, just doesn't like all the driving (see where the confusion comes in), but yes, we'll start going on more. Talked to shara later (no crying) and she did say she was nervous about it, so we discussed that she can and should talk to us if she's worried about anything and chances are good that we'd be able to make her feel better about things. She said she knows that but doesn't like to.

So, moral of this story is that I'm going to do what I want to do - daytrips, in this case. Not worry so much that other's don't want to do it - not make so many sacrifices and start treating myself better. I figure others will either follow or complain and we'll all learn what we enjoy and don't, but without the experience, we won't know. We're going to try the trip again today.

Oh and to put in something fun - the other night Shara had wanted green eggs and ham. I was able to make the green eggs (didn't know or want to color the ham) and they were enjoyed by all. Meals have been very nice lately. Seems like giving Shara some type of fairly salty meat makes her very happy.

6 Year Old Birthday Party

Shara wanted a repeat of her party two years ago - a big open house with her friends, our friends, and family. It was fun but chaotic. I found it hard to focus on the kids, and they could have used some more formal activities because the kids weren't all good enough friends to play together without more direction. All in all, they had a good time, but I felt the need to rush cake a little. Shara had the most fun with her family but did like her friends there too. The next day she told me she loved her party. She got several Zhu Zhu pets and accessories and some great crafty type activity kits. She has plenty to keep her busy for several rainy days.

Tina's has been working out great. Shara is excited to go there in the morning and really likes playing with Stella. She doesn't seem to miss school but has commented that Mrs. Goldstein is a great teacher and Mrs. Cordeira should be invited to next year's birthday party. Shara wants it to be a Dr. Seuss theme and everyone will bring their favorite book. Mrs. Cordeira has lots of Dr. Seuss books so she'd probably like to come.

Alan bought Shara swimmys for the pool and they're working out perfectly. She's been going around the whole perimeter - Alan follows either in front or behind, but she does it all on her own. I'm guessing she'll be really swimming in no time.

Today we went to target to return some shoes and bathing suits. We found some very cute replacements for the bathing suits and Shara helped me pick one out for myself too. We had a very fun time. When we got in the car from Tina's Shara said she wanted to go home but I said we had planned on going to Target and she said she wanted to come with me this morning. She said she just wanted to spend some time with me which I loved. I told her that sounded great to me too and we can do it at Target. It really was one of the better times we've had there together. We finished the trip with mocha frappaccinos on the way home. Then Alan came home. I started dinner and thought it was too nice a day not to join the two of them in the pool so I did and we all had fun racing around. Shara has started eating dinner with us at the table again. Our seats have changed - she's at the head and Alan is on her left and I'm on her right. This is such a nice setup because now we can all see each other and are more together around the table. We've been having a great summer so far!

1st Grader!

Yesterday Shara graduated Kindergarten! She walked across the stage and the principal shook her hand and gave her a certificate. She got all E's on her report card and now has her 1st grade teacher assigned. It's the same teacher Anna had this year, so I know she's going to have a lot of homework. Shara said it was the happiest sad day.

Graduations

The past couple of weekends were filled with graduation parties and gearing up for the end of the school year. Today's the last day for Shara - she wears her special t-shirt of her classmates' hand prints. A great souvenir to remember kindergarten. Alan & Shara had a Wendy's night while mommy went out with the girls. Shara's still dining at her own table in the dining room. She got a certificate for participating in "field day" - likes going in the bouncy house now.

She also seems to like church now. Yesterday was the end of the religious education program for the year. The unit was Celebrating Mother Earth and the kids learned about Native American beliefs. Shara's class mostly did art projects. Well the end was celebrated with an inter-generational service where the kids showed what they learned. Since I've been attached to Shara each class, the plan was for me to be there with her. I really didn't like that idea, but the deal is that I'd stay with her until she is six, then she's on her own. We get to the church, get her mask and sit in the back with her class. Then the kids have their procession, carrying their masks, to the front of the sanctuary. I went with her, but when they lined up at the front, I left her there and sat in the front pew. Then the kids sang a song, the teachers taped up their masks and then all went to sit in a couple of other pews together. So basically she was off with her class, and not attached to me any more. She seemed to have a good time. They went up again later in the service and did their poem with movement and Shara did great. Then they gathered around Tom to hear a story. After that they came back to sit with their families and we both joined Alan in our usual spot. A bit later the congregation stood around the sanctuary in a big circle to sing a song of mother earth and pass around a blow-up earth ball. Throughout the service, a local flutist played wonderful Native American music for us. What a great day for all of us - really felt like Shara came full circle and into her own. We're so proud of her!