DISCLAIMER: This is not a photo of Grace and I at swimming.

Our lessons are not quite as....well....happy.

I blame myself.

In my effort to over compensate for my own poor swimming abilities, I sooooo want Grace to learn to love the water. But I fear I'm pushing her too far beyond her comfort zone at the lessons.

This term Grace has moved to "Turtles". A promotion from "Seahouses" where she spent a year. The kiddies are all her age but kinda out classed us both with their pure joy for the water. One kid willingly jumped off the foam mattress and under the water for goodness sake!!! WTF?!?!

Grace and I spent the lesson stressed and clinging on to each other. I felt I won the sucky mum award as I dunked her under the water and made her cry.

We'll keep going but Gracie I promise to put less pressure on you cause you are such a wonderful girl who is trying so hard. I need to stop scaring you by dunking you and start working at your pace.

Smiles next week I promise!!

Picture of an 11 year olds desk

Grace has her desk in the family room, mainly due to space in her room but also to help her not lock herself away. She just finished tidying it and I love how it represents where she is at. Lots of art, Lego still displayed proudly, pillow on chair covering her phone ( she is still adhering to the no phone in her room rule, yay!), pottery on display. A beautiful blend of child and teenager!

Everyone is growing up

Turning 50 is a weird milestone - I dont feel 50, and I dont really put a lot of weight behind milestone numbers. But I do like reflecting on life, and I feel I have grown, learnt from many of my mistakes, and lived a pretty great life. The biggest change is watching just how much Grace has grown this year. Today I washed some of her baby clothes that I found so I can store them and it took me right back to when my whole clothes line had tiny little outfits on it. This year, she everything has changed and I am in so much grief for the loss of some of the old routines, it hurts!! She is still my little button and I see that side of her when she is unsure or overwhelmed. I need to manage my patience through these growing phases, as my sister said "give her space and grace". She is the kindest, funniest and sweetest girl and I love her so much that it honestly hurts. I hope she knows that. She seems to have all my worst moments front of mind that I wonder at times if she sees ...

Updates

Spot Update: Day Three days since we found out Grace's best friend has chicken pox. So far, no spots on my cheurb. Puppy Countdown Update: Dog sitting confirmed for 16th Sept to 10th Oct. How hard can it be? Italian Student Update: One week left. I will miss his critic of my pasta cooking, but grateful my lasagna passed the "Italian test"

A Work In Progress

Search This Blog