Super Reader

Throughout the year, Lucy's school participated in Journey through Books

The kids all read (or were read to in the case of kindergartners) and track their progress in journals by way of number of minutes read

Yesterday, there was an "awards" ceremony for the readers

Medals and t-shirts were given to the kids who reached a certain goal

Lucy came home, quite proudly with both

As she was showing off her medal (which she was wearing when I picked her up) and t-shirt, she all of a sudden looked quite forlorn

What’s the matter pal?

Oh Mumma, I just feel bad…

Why honey?

Well…

As she was talking, Lucy was playing with the medal hanging around her neck turning it over in her hand and lifting it up to admire it

…….well really, you and Daddy did all the reading….I just picked out the books and listened….maybe you should have my medal and t-shirt…  

I ruffled her hair

That’s sweet honey but no, the medal and t-shirt are yours, you keep them….you earned them for wanting to be read to all the time

Besides, next year you’ll be reading to us

I gave her a hug and she let out a sigh of relief before declaring

Oh, what a relief!

I was really sweating your answer 

I actually did not want to give up either.....I just felt like it was the nice and right thing to do…but really Mumma that shirt is going to look so good on me....like Super Reader good and I really like the way a medal feels around my neck....

What if I forget....?

Lucy woke me up this morning at 5:20am 

Mumma she whispered, Mumma, is it time to go to school yet? 

No honey, hop in here and snuggle with me 

She nestled into me and sighed

What's up kiddo?

I don't want school to end Mumma....I just love it so much! 

And I love Mrs Dionne....and Project Learn 

Why does school have to end? 

Why does everyone want it to hurry up and end?

Oh sweetie...well, school only ends for a little bit - for the summer

The teachers need a break, you guys need a break....

Besides, before you know it, you'll be back at school 

What if I forget what Mrs Dionne has teached me?

Taught me honey....and I promise, you won't forget 

What if I get to 1st grade and no one remembers me? 

What if I show up and Mr Wells says Who are you? Why are you here?

Luce, trust me, he will not forget who you are...he won't forget any of you kids

And he will know why you are there

Hmmphh she said 

I closed my eyes to steal five more minutes

Mumma 

What honey 

Do all schools take a summer break? 

Yep 

Think I'm the only kid who does not want school to end?

No honey, I'm sure some where there is a little Poindexter who, like you, does not want school to end

Who is Poindexter?

No one honey...I made him up....*sigh* 

I promise honey, you are not the only one who will miss school...but before you know it, you'll be back at school so don't fret, go back to sleep...

Lucy went quiet and I willed the clock to stand still so I could sleep just.a.little.longer

She pulled me from me fugue state and declared 

Ok but just so you know, if I get to 1st grade and can't remember anything from kindergarten, it is so not my fault....you grown-ups are the ones who made me take the summer off

Ok honey, I'll remember 

Can you write it in a note for me?

What? 

A note, can you write my new teacher and Mr Wells a note telling them I wanted to stay in school so I would not forget anything and if I did it is not my fault it’s your fault and their fault that I got dumb 

Sweetie don't say dumb....

Or stupid?

Right - don't say dumb or stupid 

And it won't happen, but if it will make you feel better, I'll write you a note 

Okay good - could you also include in the note that I really like gym, music and library and would like to have those things more than once a week?

Sure 

And could you also ask if they could have hard boiled eggs at lunch 

Seriously Luce? You don't even buy lunch anymore 

'cause they don't have hard boiled eggs! 

And also, tell them Cal's Cart (the little school shop) should be every day 

Ok Luce - I’m getting in the shower 

Mumma!

I stopped at the door and turned to face her

Lucy sat upright in bed and opened her eyes wide and made a chopping motion with her hand to emphasize her next point: 

And don't forget the most important part Mumma; if I get dumb, it is not my fault 

You grown-ups are making me take summer vacation....I said I would go all summer, you guys said no 

Ok Lucy, go back to sleep and don’t say dumb please

How about you just say Lucy asked to go to school all summer because she doesn’t want to lose the skills she has worked so hard to learn all year and does not want to know less than everyone else in the class…..can you write that? 

I tilted my head back and let out a sigh 

I'll just write dumb honey 

Thatatta girl Mumma! I knew you'd see it my way!

The Hardest Thing About Being Lucy

Sometimes, I find random scraps of paper with things jotted on them:

The grocery list we forgot but was actually just lost in my bag

A phone number (with no name)

An address

A to do list

A reminder to do something which I probably still forgot

A thought or idea I want to write more about

And sometimes, sometimes I hit the jackpot and find a conversation I had with Lucy recorded on said piece of paper for future writing purposes

I just found this one in my desk drawer:

Hey Mumma

Yeah Lucy

You know what I was wondering?

What’s that kiddo?

What’s the hardest thing about being a grown up? Is it being a mummy?

No, I think being a Mummy is the easiest thing in the world – all I have to do is love you with all my might

But don’t I make you crazy sometimes? ‘Cause sometimes you yell at me….

Yeah, that part stinks…but still, being your Mum is easy….to be a Mum you just have to have love

Oh ok, so is working hard?

Well, working isn’t hard….it can actually be rewarding and satisfying…do you know what that means?

I think so, is that when you finish something and feel good?

It is

So like when I finish my Popsicle and my belly feels full?

Sort of I chuckle

Does your work do that for you?

Sure, for the most part

So what’s hard then?

Well, I suppose the hardest thing about being a grown up is…geez, that’s a tough question Lucy

Would it help you if I told you the hardest thing about being a kid?

Sure, what’s the hardest thing about being a kid Luce?

Well, I think the hardest thing is when you get a present that you don’t really like or you already have one of it and you have to be all nice and grateful about it when really you just want to be all like

(she rolls her eyes and raises her arms to the sky and says in her exasperated/annoyed tone) Seriously?!?! I already have this thing?!? What am I supposed to do with two???

Or seriously, this is so not what I wanted?!!?

But, you have to pretend you love it and say thanks…..

That and not being able to ride in the front seat

So the hardest thing about being a kid is when you get a crappy gift but have to pretend you like it and when you have to sit by yourself in the back seat?

Yeah…it’s really hard Mumma

Huh, never thought about it I guess

Well….did that help you Mumma? Do you have your answer now?

I do

Ok, so what’s the hardest thing about being a grown up?

Getting crappy gifts and sitting in the front seat by myself

Yeah, that does suck Mumma….I guess it really does not matter how old you are…..crappy gifts suck

Yep, they sure do pal, they sure do