1st GRADE

Seems like just yesterday I was holding this little baby in my arms. I still try to do that but she is getting more and more resistant with the years and wants to be big and independent. Only when no one is looking do I get to hold her hand for a split second before she takes it back. I am so proud of my Tallie. She has grown up and has really come leaps and bounds. She used to be so SHY and I had to go with her to the backdoor neighbors door to ask her friend to play. She would cry and cry when left with babysitters and hold on for dear life. She now is still shy and quiet and reserved but she is venturing out and slowly leaving her comfort zone. She wants to try new things and is ok to be the new kid. 

This year she got into the Spanish dual-immersion class for 1st grade. Most kids start in kindergarten. She didn't get in last year so she entered this year never having been exposed to spanish in school. I had major doubts and anxiety and was so stressed about making this decision to put her in. I wasn't sure it was the right choice or if it would be too much stress for her. I worried she would come home crying for weeks and months hating school. On the first day I took her to her class which was Spanish for the first half of the day, meaning that for 4 hours her teacher would not speak english at all and Tallie's first experience in 1st grade would be complete confusion. I was SO NERVOUS and felt just sick about leaving her. She looked at me with worried eyes and I tried really hard not to let the tears fall until I was at least out of the building. I told her to just follow everyone and do what they do and to not worry because NO ONE understood what was going on. I hoped that she wouldn't cry once I left or get too frustrated. I walked out of school and just cried. Not only did I just leave my baby in a world of chaos, but she would be gone ALL day! I miss having her home.

TO my surprise she loved school and said Spanish was easy because her teacher used a lot of body language to help the kids know what she was saying. WHEW!! It helps she has her BF in her class, Maili Wilkins. I wish that I could be a fly on the wall and see really how her day goes. I know she is still so shy and it will take her awhile to get comfortable and open up to friends. She is such a good student and loves to listen and be rewarded for doing what she is supposed to. I hope this year she develops a desire to learn and want to read more. I love that I get to walk her to school and that she wants to see me waiting for her when school gets out. I love that she LOVES the love notes I leave in her lunch box and that it makes her smile. 

I am so in LOVE with my sweet Tallie!