November 2009:
Our school used to hold a Multicultural Feast and all of our ethnically diverse families would bring food from their culture to share. Sadly, state law prohibits us from sharing anything home-cooked so we've adopted an annual Multicultural Fashion Show instead. Students are encouraged to dress up in traditional clothing to share with all of our students. Josie, being all about "fashion" really REALLY wanted to participate this year. I tried several times to explain the concept because she thought she could wear a pretty dress and be part of the show. She finally caught on when I showed her some photos from last year's show. She wasn't going down easily, though. "Well, Mom. Why can't I just wear my Old Navy cupcake shirt and jeans? I can be a United States of American, can't I?"
Walking down the hall at school, past the kindergarten classrooms: "Hmmm....(with a wrinkled up nose)...smells like kindergarteners down here." What does a kindergartener smell like? "Sweaty."
Weeping after school one day, I asked her what had made her so sad. "I really wanted to eat hot lunch today because it was cheese pizza, but you put 'pasghetti in my lunch instead. (insert whimper) I ate cheese anyways, because Mrs. Rail said you wouldn't care. I can't wait to be seven so my life won't be so hard."
December 2009:
Josie's Six Year Old Christmas Wish List: "I'm not a Girlie-Girl anymore, Mom. I like Boy-ie things now because I really like boys. I hope Santa brings me a Nerf gun and some Star War Legos. But, he can still put nail polish in my stocking if he wants."
First words on Christmas Morning after spying gifts under the tree: "Mom! Myriam was wrong!! She told me I was on Santa's Naughty List, but I can tell that Santa knows more than Myriam."
January 2010:
Mom: "Josie, do you want me to help you put Neosporin and band-aids on your injuries?"
Josie: "I've lost six teeth already, Mom. I can put band-aids & ointment on all by myself." (with an eye roll, of course)
"My stomach is having an earthquake today. I just want to go to sleep so it won't throw up on me."
One day when I had Yard Duty at morning recess she ran up to me, nearly bouncing with excitement. "Mom, we have a substitute today!" Really? Do you know her name? Look of concentration with a furrowed eyebrow, "Ummmm....I'm pretty sure it's Miss D but she's the one with the cute little nose."
February 2010:
Looking forlorn and speaking in a grumpy tone, "So, Mrs. Rail told us the groundhog saw his shadow this morning. Does this mean I won't feel warm until I'm in about 2nd grade, Mom? (big sigh) It's such a sad day. I don't think I like this holiday too much."
"I really hope Cupid doesn't shoot me tomorrow, Mom. I don't want to have to fall in love with someone I don't even like!"
Two days later, "Mom!! I survived Cupid! I'm not in love with anyone so I know he didn't shoot me. I'm a good hider!"
Getting ready to go to the park on one of the first spring-like days, "We need to hurry up. There are probably kids just waiting at the park to be my friend today."
March 2010:
"Mom, what does 'delicate' mean?"
Thinking I'd help her figure it out by using the context in which she heard the word, I asked her, "Where did you hear that word?"
Without a moment's hesitation she replied, "In the shower. I hear all kinds of things in my head when I take showers."
One morning at school I stopped to talk to a friend in the office. Josie was ever-so-anxious to get out on the playground and was trying her best to be patient. "Excuse me? Come on, Mom! You're moving like slug!"
"Mom, I love you to infinity. And that's forever. But I love fish to zero. 'Cause I don't even like it to 1. It's nasty!" (with a really wrinkled nose & pinched face)
"Hey, Mom? Don't I have an Aunt Lynne?"
You certainly do!
"McKenzie has an Aunt Lynne, too! Can you believe it? She doesn't have Jordyn or Brady cousins, though. Too bad for her."
One afternoon after trying to coax her into getting some homework done and then having her procrastinate and stall by watching her break & sharpen her pencil for the 5th time, I let out a big sigh. She turned to me in her innocent manner and responded, "Mom, I know how you feel. I'm going to feel the same way when you're old and I'm in college. I'll know so much more than you. I'll get tired out just trying to talk to you about everything you don't know."
When you drop in to visit, my house probably won't be picked up, and the laundry won't be folded and put away, and the yard is likely to appear abandoned. We're too busy enjoying our time together to worry about those things. Living in the moment is the best way to cherish the time we're given!
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