The Graduate

How did I end up with a child going into 'high school'?

Actually middle school, but it's considered part of high school, and
definitely not elementary.

Anna graduates next month. There's a ceremony and a party afterwards.
And a dress and shoes and gifts. And I'm not ready. I mean, I guess I'm 'ready'
as in, we have the dress and I'm working on the gifts. I'm not ready mentally
is the thing. She's gone into 'grown-up' mode, wanting to stay by herself, not
go to the 'babysitters' house, etc. Hell, she even talks about driving!
She's only 12!!

I remind myself that she is no longer a 'little kid' and I have to learn to let
go. I just prefer to do it grad-u-a-ll-y...

I'm making her an elementary years scrapbook for her graduation gift. Above is a
little montage I'm working on for it. If you have any good gift ideas, for a 12-year-
old going on 21, please throw them at me.

Oh no, not two of them . . .

When I looked at this picture from last weekend, I saw it for the first time . . . what I talked about last year here. Do you see it? Emma looking not so much like a little girl, but more like a 'tween'. Say you don't see it. Because if it's happening, I don't know if I can handle two of them!

How did my mom do it?

Mean Girls

It's starting with Anna (she's 11, in 5th grade). The games that girls play. The mean ones, where they talk behind each other's backs and make fun of one another. No longer all carefree friends that are too naive and innocent to play these games. I remember this from my school days all too well. I hated it. Apparently, I hate it even more now that it involves my girl. I know she's not 100% innocent in all of it, but I truly believe that she would never be hurtful and deceitful on purpose.

I know there's no avoiding the 'Mean Girls' and I may as well hold my breath and get ready for what lies ahead. And then one more time with Emma. But can't we just skip this stage and go straight to college?