Girls To Grow

It arrives in our mailbox every so often.

I bring it into the house in all its glory.

An American Girl catalog has arrived, its cover designed to attract any young girl’s attention, its inside showing lovely dolls dressed in fine outfits with accessories, pets and coordinating furniture. My daughters are delighted when the catalog arrives; they peruse the pages, eyes scanning for any additions or changes.

And then….they cut it up.

First there’s a discussion of who gets which dolls. Then they go to work, scissors carefully trimming around each figure. Not long after, our playroom floor is littered with Felicity, Molly, Kit, and more in various outfits and poses. These paper dolls have many exciting adventures – most of which would never have been dreamed of by the actual doll’s creators.

Yes, were it financially possible, my husband and I could spend hundreds of dollars on buying the real thing; earlier this year, my oldest finally saved up enough money to buy her own American Girl Doll.

But in the end, I’m reminded of the child who plays with the box instead of the present that was inside. What simple pleasure is derived from some old-fashioned paper dolls and my girls’ own imaginations….and all free-of-charge.

Celebrate more simple pleasures at Tuesdays Unwrapped hosted by Chatting at the Sky.

Shoes.

They’re a necessary part of a wardrobe and can range from plain and practical to fancy and frivolous.

For the past nine years, my oldest daughter has entered every fall and winter season with a cute, but sensible, pair of black Mary Janes. They’re not expensive – usually these from Payless – but they hold up well and match every church dress in her closet.

However, I was afraid that after acquiring her first “high heels” this past spring, those reliable, predictable shoes may not be acceptable anymore.

I was right.

As we began scouting the stores this week for suitable church shoes, her eyes were drawn to a pair of flats -sparkly, but safe enough. Unfortunately, her size wasn’t available. Then she spotted some boots, and asked if she could have a pair with a heel like mine this year.

Once again, I find myself seeking a middle ground, settling on a choice that she can see as a bit more grown up and something I can live with as not too mature.

Maybe I should get comfortable on this middle ground; I see myself spending lots of time here in the future.

How do you balance your child’s taste in clothing or shoes with what you prefer?

Some mothers seem to have been born with a gene that enables them to take ordinary moments and create special memories. Unfortunately, it’s missing from my DNA. I tend to focus on getting things done as quickly as possible, with as little mess as possible.

I see it.

In the reduced number of cars in the parking lot of the neighborhood pool; in the darkness that comes earlier each night; in the school uniforms that fill my daughters’ closet; in the pencil pouches and composition books waiting patiently on the shelf.

I hear it.

From the school buses driving routes through the neighborhood; from the midday silence, so recently broken by children calling to one another; from the absence of the ice cream truck jingle passing the house each afternoon; from the zipping and unzipping of new book bags and lunchboxes.

I feel it.

The anticipation of seeing old friends, making new ones; the nervousness of first-day jitters; the anticipation of learning interesting facts, mastering new concepts; the sense of security that comes with familiar routines.

Another summer is ending, a new school year beginning. We hold fondly to the past while moving hopefully toward the future.

I’m thankful for the changes in this season of our lives. They keep me on my toes, never sitting still, always moving forward.

This post is linked to Thankful Thursday hosted by Women Taking a Stand.

A figure crept past the foot board of the bed as I raised my head from the pillow. As tall as she’s getting, it’s sometimes hard to distinguish my younger daughter from the older in the semi-darkness. “Mommy, I had a bad dream,” she whispered. I followed her back to her bed, tucked her under her covers. After removing the unreasonably large stuffed animal reclining beside her, I grabbed a blanket from her sister’s bed and laid down beside her.

I didn’t realize it would be this difficult.

I recently began searching for a new piano teacher for our daughters. Sadly for us, the one who has given them such a wonderful start in learning to play is relocating to another part of the country.

As I seek just the right person to fill this position, I am praying for wisdom. My husband and I strongly desire that our girls develop this talent and use it for the Lord – in ministry; as a vocation if they wish; and simply for their own enjoyment.

Recently, I heard a speaker share a story in which he told his child the following: “Don’t just play the notes; make music.” What an inspiring thought – to let the music flow from inside of you and unleash itself on the keys.

Through the cd’s played in our home to the music coming from the radio, I want our children to develop a taste for good, wholesome, appropriate music that encourages and uplifts. From hymns to classical tunes to carefully selected traditional song forms, I want them to enjoy a variety of music. This involves teaching them about rhythms and beats as well as giving attention to the words, so that they might, as they grow, learn to select what is best.

With all of this to consider, finding just the right piano teacher to help me guide them becomes quite important.

How do you teach your children about music? Please share any resources you have for finding excellent music to play in your home.

What a mess! The large wicker basket atop her bookcase was overflowing with papers, partially completed art projects, empty toilet paper rolls, and tiny trinkets. It’s the spot where she’s allowed to keep things that are “special” to her. Somehow, the number of special items is always larger than the space dedicated for saving them.

As regular visitors to my blog already know, reading and teaching children to read is a passion of mine.

I recently found an old guest post on Simple Mom entitled 30 Simple Ways to Get Your Child Ready to Read. The list that is given is an excellent, well-developed presentation of steps you can take to promote early literacy in your children. I thought I would add a few more suggestions that have worked well in our family.

1. When your child is too young to sit still through an entire story, put him on your lap and look through a book, ignoring the words but pointing to the illustrations and describing the pictures. Tell what is happening on the pages in your own words, turning the page as soon as your child is ready.
2. Be very descriptive when talking about things you see, whether in a book or in real life. Say what color something is, mention its’ size and give any other distinguishing features.
3. Visit a few story time programs at the library or bookstore. It will expose your child to other adults reading aloud and introduce you and your child to books you may not have found otherwise.
4. While at the library or bookstore, allow your child to explore the different sections. Let him select a certain number of books, then take them to a reading corner or table and look through them together.
5. When you sign birthday or other special occasion cards for family and friends, help your child “write” their name on the card, saying each letter as the two of you print it together.
6. As your child grows and you begin reading aloud to your child some books that are a bit longer, find a suspenseful place to stop in the story so that he will look forward to the next reading session.
7. Try to find a particular series of books that your child will enjoy, i.e. Franklin the Turtle or Curious George. Reading about a familiar character in different situations may encourage them to want to read more.

The desks have been emptied. Chalk boards and white boards have been scrubbed clean, the once brightly-decorated walls are bare.

Today, when I walk my daughters to their classrooms for the final time this school year, a sense of emptiness will already fill the air. The halls my girls traipsed down each morning will lose some of their familiarity over the next few months. Teachers who have graced their lives, leaving an indelible footprint on their bright and eager minds, will soon be viewed through the lens of the past as new ones take their place.

The walls that absorbed the echoes of my children’s recitations along with their bursts of laughter will soon await a new group of students. Oh, that I could bottle those sounds, to occasionally release the moments that made this past school year its own adventure, with challenges, disappointments and sweet victories.

Change awaits: a best friend’s desk will be empty in the fall as she moves away, a beloved teacher of thirty years begins enjoying her retirement. Things will never be quite the same – never the same teacher with the same mix of students at the same stage of life. It has been said that life is a series of happy hello’s and sad good bye’s; today we have mostly the sad.

We’ve waited for this day and now it’s finally here. Mentally we’ve already begun our summer break, planning our family vacation and trips to the pool. But today, as awards are handed out in recognition of hard work and stellar achievements, I am grateful for this stage of our lives, for these treasured school days and the lessons of the past nine months – learned by parent and child – that we will all carry with us into the years ahead.

photo courtesy morgue file