TODAY IS MY BIG DAY!

On Monday morning, Big Sister woke and her first comment was "TODAY IS MY BIG DAY!" I had to smile, but, I was bursting at the seams as much as she was. She was heading back to school after the Holiday break to join the 2nd grade! Big Sister has wowed us with her academic achievements over the years and managed to do the same to the teachers and administration at St. William of York.

In early November, at the suggestion of her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Fahland, we began discussions on transitioning Big Sister to the 2nd grade. Mrs. Fahland, had noted Big Sister's strengths early on in the School year and immediately demanded more from Big Sister. She was being sent to 2nd grade for Reading, assigned additional Spelling words, and given extra assignments. Hubby and I solicited Big Sister's input and from our initial conversation until our last, she never waivered and looked forward to the move. Discussions regarding the move were to be kept secret from her classmates. I am so proud of Big Sister . Not once did she tell a classmate or indicate a move was on the horizon.

At the onset of the Holiday Break, a packet of assignments covering all subjects was sent home from the 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Elliott. She indicated that it was Big Sister's decision as to how much of the materials she wanted to complete. Big Sister indicated she wanted to complete everything and my hats off to her! She weathered hours at the kitchen table with Mom trying to play the role of teacher (not my forte) while completing all the materials. Big Sister was such a trooper. Note the picture below...

Yes, this is Christmas afternoon. The Little Dudes were taking a nap, so, I seized the opportunity to have her tackle some math. Do you think she will hold this against me in her teenage years?

Heading to 2nd Grade

Big Sister's last couple of days as a 2nd grader have gone well. She has embraced her new class and raves about Mrs. Elliott and "new" friends. She was worried about her 1st grade classmates and their responses. Fortunately, she came up with her own response to their inquiries if prodded on her new status . "I just ended up here" and "It's magic" has become her signature response and it appears to have quelled any further questions.

This smile has been on her face for the past three days.