On Sunday, at our regular calendaring session, we realized we had a conflict between the “Spring Fling” on Thursday night at Sally’s school and Chinese takeout dinner at Auntie Liz’s with Nana Marian, Cousin Rachel and Uncle Sean. Dick, who missed the last family night at school due to his Vancouver trip, insisted that we not miss the talent showcase, basket auction, PTA meeting and art and science exhibits. I voted for Chinese.
Sally had brought home a paper about auditioning for the talent showcase. Because I a) had been reading JW’s book Perfect Madness and figured that Sally’s talent had not been developed sufficiently, comparatively-speaking, and b) thought that as she is a kindergartener, surely the older kids would be more practiced, but mostly because c) I am not an over-competitive super-mom, I accidentally “lost” the information.
I kicked myself, about twenty times last night, that I had denied her the chance to shine. Because, if she had gotten up there and performed 1/10th as well as she does at home, she would have positively shimmered. Apparently, the world of the Perfect Madness book (ballet, music, sports, etc over-lessoning) is not the world that Sally goes to school in. (Which is a good thing, of course, but still).
Also, why do some parents let their children listen to such age-inappropriate music (obviously I am not with-it as regards hip-hop and R&B) much less allow them to “perform” it?
Dick, continuing his bid for “father-of-the-year,” and probably feeling pre-nostalgia/guilt over his upcoming Minneapolis trip, arranged to go in to work late this morning so he could attend Kindergarten Graduation. What a momentous occasion. What tears of joy were shed that we had, at long last, reached this epic event. Actually, it was pretty painless, and I was glad to get some pictures of Sally with her awesome teacher, Miss Ruffin.
Dick said Susan will be a great kindergartener; I said she’d be great at doing whatever Sally is doing.
Sally’s hair snagged in the tape from the mortar board. I like that Miss Ruffin didn’t even look around to see if I were (was?) there to take care of it. Dick was talking to her at the time, but he was holding Spot. Susan and I were raiding the veggie tray (they had sugar snap peas!!!). We ate all of the broccoli, but I don’t think anyone else was interested in it. (I tell you, these parents; their dental bills must be something!).
I hope Sally has not stopped smiling for pictures because I teased her about her fake-smile grimace. Wouldn’t want her to be as not-smiley as her father. Here you can see the professional haircut that Dick gave me last week. It is pretty uneven, but it’s the best haircut I’ve had in a long time. My hair just kind of sits there. Luckily Dick didn’t try to get me back for the many so-so haircuts I’ve given him in the past 9 years.
There’s just something about a man with his daughters, don’t you think? (even if NONE of them are smiling. You don’t want to know how many shots it took to get one where you can see each face!)
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What a family! Makes me proud to even know you guys.
Shannon, in most of the recent photos you’re not smiling either. You guys look a little like the old-fashioned photos. Put on some cowboy gear and take a sepia shot. You guys are such a cute family–smile!
Maybe everyone looks serious because it IS like photo-taking in the old days? I know when I try to take group pictures, it takes several minutes to get everyone coordinated
BTW Avery looks lovely in her cap, congratulations!
I could probably count the number of times on my hands that Will has smiled in a picture. But, he smiles all the time. Something about the camera, I think. He actaully just looks at the camera with this really intense look like he’s trying to figure out how it works.
Avery did a wonderful job at kindergarden this year, and grew to really like her teacher. She was a little frustrated that she never achieved “student of the month” status. I’m not quite sure why — I think she was probably the most well-behaved, hardest working, smartest kid in the class. She is pretty outstanding, and has learned to read and write over the past few months.
It’s been amazing to watch Avery learn to read. All of a sudden one day she was just reading. Now she likes to read books to me at night (instead of just me reading to her). But this can be somewhat problematic because her interest level is higher than her reading level. In other words, while she might be more interested in the content of Little House on the Prairie, her reading level is not quite up there yet — it’s more around Dumpy La Rue (which is, by the way, Shannon’s favorite children’s book).
Speaking of Little House on the Prairie, I’m in Minnesota right now, where the book was set. Everywhere I look I see Pa, Ma, Laura, and Carrie! (Just kidding.)
I ordered Dumpy La Rue since you said it was your fave, Shannon. I love half.com. We are so excited for you guys to come visit so we can see how Avery and Callie have grown and to meet Lucy! Maybe Avery will have more tolerance for Olivia this trip
. They’re pretty funny together sometimes.