Books, Hair Cuts, and Failed C25K

Grace's first week of school went very well.  She got homework and did it quickly and correctly.  She behaved herself and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of school. She got to bring home a book from the classroom library.  The books are generally to stay in the classroom, but her teacher let her bring one home.  Grace chose "Matilda."  She read all 240 pages in 2 days.  I'm not sure I've ever read a book in 2 days.  I'm very proud of my child.  She spent time in the car, at the hardware store, and at home reading.  She even set up a comfy reading spot in the shopping cart:

As I was looking in her school planner, I noticed a little note:

She was really upset that she didn't get math homework this weekend.  Again, I love my child and so proud of her.  I believe she will go far in this world.

On a completely different note, I got my hairs cut.  I like my hair long, but it gets stupid and starts falling out once it gets as long as my shoulders.  So, off went 4 inches:

Lastly, I started the C25K program last week.  Actually, I thought I started it, but really I started some weird version my brain created while reading the directions.  I was a little ticked off when I went to look at week 2's directions and realized that I had messed up.  So, technically I started the C25K program yesterday.  My version was much easier.  

First Day

Grace was so excited for her first day of 4th grade that she woke up at 6:45 am.  Her alarm was set for 7:45 am and she scared the beans out of me when she walked out of her room early.  She was grinning from ear to ear.  She immediately began getting ready for school even though she didn't have to leave for 2 more hours.  She'd had me put her hair in braids the night before so it would be "poufy" and wavy.  We took the braids out and to my surprise, her hair looked really pretty.  I was expecting extreme wildness.

After taking the braids out, she went to get dressed in her new, first-day-of-school outfit.  The shorts were too big.  Thank goodness for adjustable waists.  The shirt was a lovely purple thing with a big, sequined star on the front.  The sequins were reversible.  Put them one way and they're silver.  The other way, they're purple.  Grace decided on silver.  She slipped on her glittery, silver shoes and put a purple hair accessory in her hair.  She was ready.

On to breakfast.  I'd set out a bowl of oatmeal with some cinnamon and sugar in it and a premeasured cup of water next to it with directions on how to make oatmeal.  Grace had never done this and she was supposed to wake up after I left for work.  I watched her stir the water into the oatmeal and carefully put the bowl in the microwave.  She followed directions very well.  I left her before the oatmeal was finished, but she claimed it was good.

This was the first time I left my little girl at home to take care of herself and get to school on her own.  I knew she'd do just fine, but she's still my baby so I still worried.  I'd gotten her a cheap phone to use to let me know she'd made it to school and home from school safely.  I set an alarm on the phone to ring when it was time for her to get her backpack and head to school.  She forgot about the alarm and texted me at 7:45 am saying she was heading to school.  My phone was "updating" so I couldn't text her back and tell her she was too early.  Once at the school, she realized she was early and texted me asking what to do.  Right at that moment, the updating was over and I could respond.  She ended up hanging out with the principal until school started.  I'm glad the principal was outside.

After school, she texted me to tell me she was going to go to the neighbor's house.  I asked her if the neighbor was home.  She didn't respond for a very long time.  Almost 15 minutes.  In those 15 minutes, my heart raced, I panicked, almost drove home to see if she was alive, and cleaned my co worker's desk to keep myself from text-yelling at her.

Once I got home from work, I relaxed.  I could see for myself that my little girl had survived her first day of 4th grade and being home alone.  I really knew she would be.  I knew she'd be playing with the neighbor anyway.  The neighbor is a smart, responsible girl.  I just need to learn how to calm down.

Overall, Grace had a great day and I didn't cry and run home to make sure she was ok.  She was really worn out by the end of the day and went to bed with no argument.  That's rare.

Eye Vitamins and Fiber

Every weekend, my Mom and I trade off taking my Grandma grocery shopping and running errands.  This past Saturday was my turn.  I was irritable and she was argumentative.  Not a good way to start.

The first stop at the grocery store was the vitamin section.  She was upset that she had missed the vitamin sale earlier in the week so she was going to have to pay full price.  She'd find what she needed and then make me figure out which one was the most economical.  The last vitamin she needed was Lutein.  She was told by her doctor that she needed to take this since her mother had macular degeneration.  Lutein is very expensive.  My Grandma was very upset about this and let me know it.  She told me I need to be taking this stuff, too.  I told her that I asked my eye doctor if I needed to take it and he told me that there would be absolutely no benefit.  My Grandma's response was, "Well, was he an actual Opthamologist because my Opthomologist is the one who told me we need to take it."  There was a very childish tone in her voice.  I said, "Yes Grandma.  He was."  She was not pleased.  The pharmacist was holding back laughter.  I think she knew I was right.

After the vitamin argument, we continued on to the groceries.  My Grandma usually has her grocery list pretty well organized.  She did not organize this time.  I was running all over the store getting stuff for her and getting very frustrated.  The pre-made margaritas and daiquiris strategically placed on displays around the store were looking very tempting.  We entered the cereal aisle to get my Grandma's Fiber One cereal.  She was complaining about the price but said she had to get it because her doctor told her she needs to eat it every single day.  I pointed out the store brand fiber cereal that looks like twigs and told her that if she gets that and puts her morning fruit in it, it would be just as good as the Fiber One and would be half the price.  I pulled it down and showed her that it had 14g of fiber and no sugar.  She said, "That's not as much fiber as Fiber One."  I yanked down the Fiber One and in a short tone said, "This only has 11g of fiber and 7g of sugar.  The cheap stuff is better for you and much cheaper."  She snatched the store brand out of my hand and threw it in her cart.  There was a man standing behind her.  He was laughing at us.  A lot.  I'm glad we could entertain someone.

Two hours after arriving at the grocery store, we were finally in the checkout.

Not So Baby Gracie

My baby starts 4th grade in a few days.  The start of each school year is bittersweet.  It's hard to realize that the little girl I had is slowly slipping away, but wonderful to realize what an incredible person she's turning into.  I am very lucky.  My daughter is intelligent, funny, kind, creative, and beautiful.  I'm not biased either.  She also makes a killer peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  She's great.  She knows how to charm anyone she comes into contact with and she takes very good care of me when I don't feel well...unless I steal the couch.  

My daughter is also very strong willed.  She got that from me.  I should be grateful for this and I am, but unfortunately, it causes a lot of fights.  Two strong willed people who want different things can cause some pretty explosive fights.  She has her own idea of how things should be done, but I know the right way.  I'm older so I've had a chance to figure out how to do things.  Instead of letting her experiment with doing things her way until she realizes my way is easier, I just keep harping at her to do it my way.  I should quit doing that.  My way might actually not be easier for her.  Her way might be easier for me, too.  I'm not very patient either.  I should slow down.  A lot of times, slowing down isn't an option when you're a single parent.

Most of the time, Grace and I are a happy family.  We can look at one another and burst into uncontrollable laughter for absolutely no reason.  She knows I love her and I know she loves me, even when we're screaming at each other.  At the end of the day, she still wants her mommy when she has a nightmare and I still kiss her goodnight and tell her I love her even when I'm really mad.  On the rare occasion that Grace is at a friend's house or at her dad's, I miss her terribly.

She's a good egg.