Parent-Teacher-Ava

I am sick of feeling sick. That's all I have to say about that.

My grandmother had open heart surgery today. Things went well and she is recovering nicely. I think the anticipation of this has been been putting a damper on my already low attitude (a constant state of sickness can do that to a person, but I'm not talking about that, right?)

Our cruise is in exactly 2 weeks. Now that Mimi's surgery is over, perhaps I can start feeling excited about that again. I know I said I was done, but I really hope I feel better by then.

Know what else I am sick of? I am sick of my blog background's depressing colors. I can appreciate "Cutest Blog on the Block" and all, but I am a creature of habit, so I need something really simple and plain that I can live with for a while. I cannot change the background for each holiday or season. Honestly it will be really hard for me to even change to "Minima" because I really do not like change. But I need something happy and light. I will just have to get brave and I can always come back to this old look, right? Right! I have nothing to lose!

Now on to the real meat.



Ava has been in preschool 2 days a week for the past school year at a local Lutheran Church. She has such an awesome teacher and looks forward to going each Tuesday and Thursday. And through the months I have gotten the distinct impression that Ava really puts on her best face at school. Which is good, I'm not complaining about that, I just find it very interesting.

This week I had parent/teacher conference with Ms. Tamara, the sweetest, littlest, prettiest teacher. She and I sat across from each other on miniature chairs at a miniature table. She remarked that she liked the feeling of sitting at that table because it made her feel big, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I looked like an elephant on a tricycle.

She started by saying that this time of the year makes her so sad and that she might cry during our meeting. I told her not to worry because I am a crier. We then spent the next 15 minutes going point by point through Ava's 3 year old Evaluation.

My favorite standout from each area of development follow:

Spiritual development
Praises God with Song- Ms. Tamara said she is the loudest singer in chapel. She loves to sing!


Emotional development
Responds well to discipline and limits- Ms. Tamara said that she could not think of one time she has had to discipline Ava. That is wonderful to hear but also kind of bizarre.

Social development
Works and plays cooperatively with others- She spends time playing with the girls, and time with the boys, and has friends in the other 3 year old class too. She is a friend to everyone.


Intellectual development
Sings the alphabet song- Ms. Tamara asked her to sing it, Ava said, "no". Ms. Tamara asked her if she knew it, Ava said, "yes". Ms. Tamara asked her again, "then will you sing it?" and Ava said, "no thanks"

Motor Development
Hops on one foot- Ms. Tamara said that Ava tried her hardest, again and again, and could almost do it, but not quite. Ava kept asking, "Did I do it?! Did I do it?!" to which Tamara would respond, "really good try Ava!" and Ava would say, "Yeah, but did I do it?!" Ava has been practicing a lot at home, by her own accord, and can now proudly do one hop, on one foot.

And this is what was written at the bottom of the 2 page form:

I really enjoy Ava-She has such a wonderful personality! She is full of sunshine!! She always comes in with a smile and spreads them around! I will truly miss her next year!
Love,
Ms. Tamara

And Ava will truly miss Ms. Tamara next year.

Dan and I were discussing this evaluation and Ava in general the other night. We decided that this was a proud parent moment. Not proud that our child is wicked awesome and cooler and smarter and prettier than other kids, just proud that our child is turning into a real little person who is going out into the world and finding success and happiness. Proud that even though she has such a tender heart and over-reactive tendencies and temper, when she needs to tame her fire, she can, at least with people other than her parents.


I know I am extra hormonal at the moment, but I am overcome with feelings about her. And they are feelings that don't really have words I can type out on a keyboard. She requires the most out of me. For our time to be even remotely pleasant or successful together, I truly have to be in my best form, without exception. Unfortunately, that is impossible. But it forces me to always be looking in that direction. She refines me. And I like to think that I am helping to refine her. Together we are a little team of girls that share love and push each other to expand our boundaries of goodness. She is helping me be who I truly want to be. And I hope that I can even do a small portion of the same for her.