We’re navigating tempestuous waters here. Some days it’s smooth sailing, others the sea is gray and choppy with a tornado warning to boot, but BrightSide and I are in this for the long haul. You take what life throws at you and keep on swimming.
Wasn’t it just yesterday these kids were all skinned knees and fighting over whose turn it is? Wait, that was yesterday. But you know what I mean. We’re swimming with the sharks these days.
But to survive the sharks, all you need is a plan.
In honor of winding up the school year (or having just finished, depending upon your luck), here’s a word from an epic school band parent.
“Phase I: Excitement and anticipation.
Whether you child plays woodwinds, brass, or percussion (like mine), you will be excited to attend this important event, potentially the performance of a lifetime. All year your child has been waking up early twice a week to get to band practice, instrument in tow. Finally you get to hear the fruits of his labor! You mark your calendar, rearrange appointments, and shuffle any competing extracurricular activities so that the whole family is available to be in attendance. How often are you treated to a night of FREE musical entertainment, after all?”
The 10 phases of attending a school band concert | Screaming into my Pillow
There’s no greater joy than watching Bear grow into herself as she revels in her strength. She is a powerhouse – a tornado raging through life, confident that her courage and convictions will carry her over the finish line.
Our girl: beauty, bravery, strength, love. It’s quite a sight to see.
I know I’m not the only one doing a jig these days.
Parents, teachers, teaching assistants, club leaders, students, PTO, administration, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians…we’re all doing the happy dance. Some of us right out in the open, some when no one’s looking, but feet are tapping all over the county.
We are on the downhill slide to to summer. Can I get a hallelujah?
I know, I know…the end of the school year requires a frenetic pace, kind of like a mouse hopped up on amphetamines, but the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is so worth it. Down days, no homework, a change in plans. There may be schedules to keep in the summertime, but the idea of getting to basketball camp instead of rushing to homeroom is much more palatable.
It’s so close you can almost taste it. Are your dancing shoes ready?
My post as part of Colline’s Gratitude Project.
Last I heard Bear was aiming for professional basketball player or a brain surgeon when it comes to life goals. Basketball. Or surgery.
After I was fully supportive of my daughter’s ambitions I tactfully slipped in that she might want to consider becoming a lawyer. What with her proclivity of arguing things into the ground and all.
I’m having a wee bit of trouble wrapping my brain around the fact that Bear turns eleven today.
If you’ll bear with me for one moment, I’ve gotta do a bit of shameless mama bragging on these kids o’ mine.
These babes are the bomb diggity. They’re smart, funny, talented, and beautiful by any measure. When they’re unhappy it’s palpable. When they’re happy, joy radiates from them like warmth from the sun.
I talk often about loving the lake. Most of my accolades are about the water, the birds, the peaceful environment and how centered I feel when I’m there. All perfectly valid reasons to head that way often.
But I realized I haven’t written much about why the kids love the lake.
