As I peruse the school calendar I am mourning the days my children no longer are privy to.  By those days I mean the half days for school conferences, the Halloween parades, the book fairs, the fun fairs, the family picnics.  I looked forward to these events with eager anticipation each year and we attended  them as a family, sometimes including grandparents as well. 

Forgive me for my indulgences into the world of elementary school.  I feel like my heart is still there and I am slowly trying to wean myself out. Of course my children are not there anymore and seem very happy to have moved on. My daughter recently informed me that middle school was much better than elementary school because she had more freedom. I completely understand that. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of her growing and changing and feeling that little bit of freedom. I remember it myself.  However... it was only a few months ago that she was still in 5th grade and telling me that she wasn't ready for middle school.  

She is adjusting much better than I ever imagined! She is on the cheer team so she doesn't get home until almost 6:00 on most days. She sits right down and starts her homework. That's quite a big change from the girl who came home cranky and throwing herself on the floor every other day for six years. Not that I miss that part. Ok, maybe I do a little. I just didn't know it would be so hard to see my baby growing up so fast.

Also, she might not want to dress up for Halloween! I'm devastated! Crushed! How could she not want to dress up for Halloween?!! Halloween is a pretty big deal in our town. My kids have worn costumes since they were babies. My son has always been into it and dressed up with his friends to trick-or-treat. Even in his first year in high school, he will come up with some kind of costume, as will his friends.

H, on the other hand has different groups of friends. Some who still like their dolls and will definitely dress up for Halloween and the other ones who think they are too cool.  I can see her wavering between the two. I don't want to lose my baby just yet!  No, I'm not ready to let go of dolls and Halloween costumes!  Please H - you are definitely not too cool to dress up, or play with dolls or still be a little girl!