First off, Maggie just started First Grade!! And, like most things (besides potatoes and avocado), she absolutely loves it! Here are some other super exciting things that have happened in Maggie's life this summer:
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| School rocks! |
- She lost her first tooth (on a piece of pizza), and then, later that day, she lost her second tooth (eating ice cream)
- She learned to tie her shoes
- She learned to ride a two-wheeled bike
- She has grown so much and can now reach the sinks without a stool!
- She is learning to cook us breakfast (eggs and french toast are her specialty)
- She's learning to read
- She has become a little entrepreneur and had her first Kool-Aid/toy stand. After (a bit reluctantly) paying off her 'employees' (lots of helpful neighbor friends who drew in the business!), she promptly toted her $28 down to the Farmer's Market and spent all but $1.00 on donuts (she shared!), a new toy and a really cute magnet for our refrigerator; proudly putting her money back into the local economy!
Maggie still loves art and inventing things. She says she wants to be an artist and an astronaut when she grows up. She is still very independent and will most likely head her own start-up or become a CEO of a company one day. She can thank her brother for all of the leadership skill practice!
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| Blazer on point |
Maggie starting school was not without its challenges. Right at the start of Kindergarten last year, she hurt her knee and was in a full-leg walking brace for a few weeks. Later that school year, in March, we had to call paramedics when she became a bit too overzealous on some gymnastics equipment and fell off directly onto her head. We thought for a moment she might have had internal bleeding (possibly from a rib break). Thankfully she did not. Unfortunately, she did sustain a few compression fractures throughout her spine. The fall actually compressed her spine so much that she was actually shorter afterward.
Through it all Maggie is her strong, determined, cheerful self. She is aware now that she has fragile bones, and we talk about it. She asks why she was made this way and others weren't, which is heartbreaking, because there is no comforting answer to this. All we can tell her is that everyone has struggles, no matter who they are or what they struggle with. The best way to get through it is to be kind to everyone and know that many people are here to help and that she is capable of doing so many things.
Being at school all day and attending gym and going to recess has its dangers for Maggie, but she is learning to be independent, self-reliant and confident, and we are learning to give her that (although it can be so difficult sometimes!). This is her second school she's attended in the district, and everyone is so amazing. I am in awe of what teachers and support staff do each day, not just for us, but for every single child. No one makes Maggie feel 'less-than' or limits her abilities, and we just see her flourish and bloom with each new day.
Through this journey we have met many strong families who are going through similar situations. We have also met many more families who may not be, but are so supportive and kind and compassionate. Each day we are reminded of the many, many things we have to be grateful for.
It was nice to be able to catch you up on what's been happening in Maggie's life. Now that this sabbatical is over, I hope to keep you updated more often.
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| Art in the park |
Take care of one another!
