MixtKids

One Mom's journey to raise empowered mixed-race children

Last day of school….SAY WHAT!?!

PJ in 1st gradeIt’s a bittersweet day.  My big girl is right now, sitting in class, with all the other 1st graders of room 7 and attending their last day of school.  For PJ, it’s a happy day, but very sad as well.  We bought a house in a different elementary boundary, so she will leave the 1st grade and the school.  For her, today has a lot more finality to it.

Sure, she knows it’s for the better, but that don’t take away the sadness.  The new school is only 3 blocks from our house, so we’ll be able to walk and that is a HUGE plus, for both of us.  And, of course, she’ll meet more neighborhood kids, which is also great.  She already has some neighborhood friends, but no one that really seems to be “best friend” material.  Everyone needs a “best friend” in the neighborhood, right?

And, most importantly, she will finally be in a school that she knows she won’t have to move from again.  The poor kid has moved out of state 3 times, attended 4 preschools, 2 elementary schools and she’s only in 1st grade.  So, yes, stability is needed and appreciated.

But even through all this chaos, all the change, all the instability, PJ persevered.  She hasn’t just done well in school, she has done AWESOME!  Report cards came yesterday and she had all “E’s” [Exceeding grade level] and nearly all 4’s.  The kid rocks!  Not to mention she also won “Physical Education Student of the Year”.  So yeah, I’m one very proud Momma!

What makes me the most proud though, is that she never rubs it in to her friends.  She never snubs her nose about her abilities.  She never gloats.  And for that, I love her even more.  For her humility alone, I envy her and aspire to be like her.   Because, me?  Well, I love to talk about how great my kids are and about their accomplishments.   And I even gloat a bit [ok, a lot].  I try not to, but then I catch myself comparing or emphasizing all the great things my kids do.  I usually stop myself, but sometimes it’s too late.  PJ could teach me a thing or two about humility or at least how to “shut my trap” once in a while.

Anyway, today is “goodbye” to a great school and teacher, and of course, a wonderful group of kids and “hello” to a fun and relaxing summer vacation.  Before we get to the relaxing part though, I need to get off this computer so I can prepare this house and yard.  Tomorrow, PJ’s classmates will be over to kick off their summer vacation!   It’s a ‘END OF SCHOOL POOL PARTY’!

Kinda makes me wanna be 7 again.  You’re just young enough to not have to prepare for the party, but old enough to actually have one.  Yeah, I definitely wanna be a kid again.  You?