A Day for Great Conversations

[aelfie]

From Elli:
"Mommy, I'm afraid that I'm growing up without you!" "Oh? How are you?" "I'm at school all day away from you!" (N.B. its a half day program going 9-1)
later
"Mommy? I don't like school. We spend too much time outside playing and its hot and I hate getting sweaty!"

Oh this poor child is adjusting to school badly. She's never been to school before and is not liking it enough to complain about it, but when asked if she wants to stay home, she answers no, because she doesn't want to miss out on what's going on. And most of the school play areas do leave something to be desired....it is a rented public school after all, lots of blacktop and very little greenery. The've created a very nice play area just outside the Kindergarten: climbing trees, sand pits, tree swings, etc...but its small.

From Ike:
(remarking upon why he advanced another swimming class level this afternoon) :
I've figured it out...I just need to listen to the teacher!

Mrs. W (Ike's third grade teacher answering Ike's concerns that he's always the last one to finish any desk work...earlier this morning)
"Ike, if you want to finish faster, focusing on your own work and not checking up on your classmates will go a long way."

"Here you go Gwen, you can have one of mine"
This one about floored me. Both Ike and Elli advanced swim levels today. Gwen didn't, and it about broke her heart with lots of tears. When you finish a level you get this little ribbon (looks like a prize ribbon). Elli got her first one today. Ike got his second. Without prompting, Ike shared one with his sister when she started crying in the car. She very politely thanked him. I went around afterwards, gave him a hug and told him that what he did was "kind, thoughtful and loving. You should be proud of yourself, I know I am."