Eden's Last Day as a Second Grader

Eden and Mrs. Wanner her second grade teacher

Eden and friend Sophia

Eden and best friend Tesa

The girls celebrating the start of summer with a hug

Eden's last day of second grade was Friday, June 11. It was bitter sweet. Her teacher was a really great teacher but even she boasted about being strict and she believed in teaching the required curriculum and went above the standards. I am so so glad Eden did so very well. I have heard that so many children in the class had struggles and received frequent calls from the teacher. Tough tough and hard is how I describe her teaching style. But I really do appreciate it. I'd rather that than a teacher that didn't care about teaching my child to the fullest. Anyway, for Eden it was a very good year. She maintained an A average in math and reading and I am so so proud. To hear such wonderful complements from her teacher (ESPECIALLY) was quite an accomplishment. Both Eden and I were so thrilled with not having to do homework...by the way, the teacher required that we parents correct every sheet of homework. This sometimes consisted of 4 pages a night and sometimes more! Not easy stuff either and not to mention the practice of the weekly spelling tests which were not words alone but phrases. I cried about Eden's homework as much as she did to say the least. Also, if there was ever a problem wrong on the work, she sent the page back with a red mark and a required parent signature. I felt so naughty or something when that happened. Luckily this happened maybe twice the whole school year, but I've heard horror stories from other parents. Sometimes they'd get papers back marked with red ink...red ink was the talk of the school year. But strangely at the same time, we all very deeply respected her. I was so intimidated I never called her by her first name.

By the way the teacher has a comments page she gives the kids at the beginning of the school year and then she has them complete it the last week. She asks what each child feel they should improve or what they can do to improve and also how well they think they are doing or have done. Eden's said she felt she does an excellent job but that she wanted to be perfect...and that she needed to work on perfecting her work. Poor poor dear child! A perfectionist already...like me. Always doing great but striving to do better. I guess this is what I hear the oldest and the only child always struggles with. It took me all this time to realize there really is no such thing. The good thing is she really is proud of herself at the same time. And so are we.

To conclude YES IT"S NOW SUMMER! No homework, no rushing to make it to class on time, no more school functions and juggling to make every last one of them...but most of all for me personally No more Room Parent Responsibility! Never again! That should be a paid position.

Lola's Graduation from Preschool

Family Picnic after graduation

Lola with best friend Audrey

Lola with friends Athena, Eliza, Audrey

Best friends can you tell?

Eden on last field trip of the year at Golden Skates

She let go of the side for a second. Later she was skating in the middle of the skating rink

On Wednesday June 9 Lola had her last day of preschool and a small "graduation" ceremony and family picnic. That same day Eden had a field trip to Golden Skate in San Ramon.

The ceremony was such a joyous occasion. The kids performed songs and the teachers handed them completion certificates but as they were handed out the teachers commented on each child and what made them special. It was hard to hold back the tears especially when Lola's teacher said Lola gave the biggest hugs and she was a great friend to all.

It's always so hard for me when my kids reach a milestone. I find that I become pretty emotional and I find myself going through their baby pics and I bug them for more hugs. I've noticed that not all moms are like this. Some are so glad their kids are going to be in school longer (okay, I am, too I have to admit) and they couldn't wait for this moment to arrive. I don't know why I get this way, but I do. I am sure the first day of Kindergarten will not be as easy for me as it will be for Lola who is more than excited about going. I have to admit I would prefer it this way. There is nothing more painful than hearing your little one scream for you as you leave her behind at school. Let's just say there were just as many tears falling from my eyes as Lola's in the beginning of the school year. So yes, I'd much prefer the drama coming from me.

Anyway, I really can't believe this day is already here. I will be honest and say it's been a long long road up to this point with Lola. Whew what a ride life has been thus far with Miss Lolie, but it's all worth the journey. I appreciate her need to speak her mind. I have no worries about her being bullied in school that's for sure.

So as I stated before Eden had her very last field trip of the year to a roller skating rink. It was her very first time skating and after about an hour of hanging...no clinging to the sides, she let go and skated in the middle of the rink with her friends. We could only stay an hour or so so we could be at Lolie's ceremony, but we rushed back to pick Eden and her friends up after. They were so loud and they insisted on hearing our Britney Spears CD. "Oh, this is my song...TURN IT UP!" is all we heard oh and singing from Eden and her friends. I'm not ready for this is all I kept thinking. But I couldn't help laughing as Enrique tried so hard to ignore the high pitched screaming girls in the back...makes me laugh even now. This is just the tip of the iceburg.

June Activities and update

Eden's Ballet Demonstration

Girl Scout Picnic and Bridging Ceremony in Danville

A swimm at the Brentwood Family Aquatic Park

Picking cherries at a farm in Brentwood

Lola sneaking a taste...

Eden's first ever Piano Recital

June has already been such a busy, crazy, fun and exhausting month. Eden had a piano recital (she performed Allegra) and that was really amazing to me. She's learned so much and the teacher said to keep it up because she's got talent. A gift and we have to pursue it. So we now will add piano lessons to our summer plans.

Then Eden had a Girl Scout Brownie Picnic and Bridging Ceremony for the Daisy's. She missed a good portion of it because she had ballet rehearsal for an upcoming show. Busy busy girl. But we had a great time socialing with the other parents and the kids had a blast playing with their friends.

Then we took the girls to Brentwood to pick cherries and strawberries. This is becoming a family tradition. We really enjoy it and the cherries and berries are the best tasting around. The cherries are so incredibly plump and sweet. We make cherry ice cream, cherry pies and cherry yogurt with them.

Updates on the pregnancy:

Well, we had a bit of a scare when I was told I had placenta previa but luckily they found that the placenta has moved to the front and is no longer covering the cervix. Yes! However, I developed some terrible labor like pains in my lower back and lower pelvic area (a couple of days before Eden's ballet show) and ended up at Labor and Delivery at John Muir after Eden's show. The nurse said it sounded like kidney stones (why not right? I had gall stones with Lola so why not another stone or two this time around) and I also had a terrible bladder infection. Good news! After a few days and a few painful episodes all is well and whatever stones were there have now passed.

I am growing bigger and bigger every day it seems and I can't believe I still have 8 weeks to go! How big will I possibly get! Everyone comments on my belly and I am amazed at how rude and incensitive people really can be especially mothers! I am looking forward to hiding away this summer so I won't hear anymore rude comments. Other than that I feel great which is all that matters, right?