Saturday, March 17, 2012

Saint Patrick's Day


Finny is the kid who is always two steps ahead.

There are lots of times this is invaluable. When it comes to field trip forms and hot lunch orders, she makes me look like a rock star because she is the FIRST to get everything handed in to her teacher. She studies her spelling lists obsessively (even when her exasperated teacher gives her special words like indispensable and questionnaire) and knows the birthdays of all her friends and families (and prepares thoughtful cards well ahead).

There are times when this exhausting. When she gets the idea to make a lunchbox look exactly like a rock, for instance and no is not an option compatible with the maintenance of her or my sanity. Or when she scolds me for being late. Which is often.

Sometimes her desire to have control over her world and all that goes on in it...well, it's just lovely.

Tonight I came across this pile of clothes all laid out on the floor of her bedroom.

It is St. Patrick's Day, so it's all the green she could find. She has a ribbon for her hair (where did she find that?) and a green felted wool bracelet. There are green suspenders and socks. Leggings, a skirt, a shirt and a sweatshirt. She has a card she made for Eric. And all the green pens and pencil crayons in the house. You know, in case she has to write something down.

And before bed, she told me to stay in bed in the morning because she has a surprise for me too.

What a girl.

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