The signs are here: Little Miss is a Tween

Tweener Miss

Little Miss has grown so much this year. She has been slaying the dragons, beginning in a new school. It was an issue to make new friends, but she finally has a very special friend. It's strange how they all want that special BFF!

Besties! So great to have a real friend at school! It took a while to make a new friend at a new school. #BFF #LittleMiss #friends

A post shared by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Sep 4, 2017 at 3:26am PDT

We are seeing signs of her becoming more independent, and the Tween that is emerging. And Mom and Dad winces because the precious years of baby and toddler is long forgotten! (Too soon, I tell you *sic*)

Signs of the preadolescence, the Tween

Not scientific, but from a mom's perspective. 

The sun still rises every day!

It's been hectic!

I had taken 5 days leave to go camping with the Little Miss! I am censoring myself so much, as I do not want to say too much! Suffice to say that it was our last time camping in this way, and that I won't let my daughter go on a trip like this again! I am so glad that Hubby and I went along. Being eight years is definitely too young to send your child on their own on a camp! I am SO disappointed!

The children made art works over the weekend camping. The marble art (rolling marbles in paint and letting it roll over paper) was part of their projects.

This past traumatic weekend was magnified by our own family financial crisis! As if not enough, the country's economy took a dive which does not bode well for a rosy future in finances (personal and investment related)!

This is life! I know we will survive!
On the personal and broader level!

I just need to dig deep, go inside (as introverts do), and carry on!

The sun rises every day!
Even on a bad camping weekend!

The school holidays are in full swing, but we are still working! (The traffic is definitely better!) Lucky you if you are able to go away for a while!

Where are you going or what are you doing for the holidays?

It's a 8!

Little Miss is 8 years old! Our girl is big with a big personality!

(She celebrated her birthday yesterday, and I would have liked to to put this up yesterday already. But we have been offline for a week! Thanks Telkom!  I have been struggling to get anything out!)

Such a short time to get here! And such a very long time! It has been an epic adventure for all involved! We have trekked the "mountains" of baby and toddler and school-going girl. Next year she will be going to standard three in a new school!

Even Little Miss had the following to say: "This year has gone by very quickly. Hands on face! I can't believe it!"


I asked her a few questions about this past year.


Best of 2016

Roller skates (She got roller skates this year, although she has been asking for them for years now. We took her roller skating yesterday, and she loved it!)


Worst of 2016

To give a speech to the whole class for the first time


Favourite food

Pasta


Favourite drink

Ice tea


Best friend

Alyssa


Best teacher

Teacher Salome (Teacher in Grade 1)


Best music

Flute


Favourite pet

Petite Peu


Best game

Gymnastics


Mom or Dad

Dad, because Dad does more of my stuff! (Take that, Mom!)


Best book

Die geheime bestanddeel in Petra Pienk se piesangbrood


Best day

My birthday! Because she is going to roller skate!


Best holiday

With the Voortrekkers


Best doll

Ken

Why don't you play more with him? Because I don't have somebody to play with


Best swim

The swimming pool at the beach


Best sport

Netball


Happy birthday, Little Miss!
Thanks for all the adventures!
We love you to the moon and back!

Only 7 days left of being all alone at school!

Little Miss had a little breakdown last night!

She does not have friends at school, and the children do not want to play with her! She walks alone before school, and sits with her jersey pulled over her legs in the mornings. She has no friends in the mornings. She does not have friends who want to play with her at breaks, and she has to eat her food on her own. The ballet girls do not want to partner with her, and she’s the odd one out! (You saw that, Mom! Yes, I did!) This is what she told me again last night!

What can a mother (and father) do? We both wanted to console her last night! (Our hearts are breaking with her!)

Only to remind her that she has 7 days left of this school year! Next year is going to be better because it is going to be in a new school with new friends! (I really hope so!)

She is such a sensitive little person, and sometimes she goes into analysis paralysis! I do not always see a lonely girl when I go to fetch her at school, but if it is her perspective that nobody wants to play with her! That IS her life right now!

I am planning to use Cat’s advice next year, of identifying a strong girl and organising play dates from the start!

Only 7 days! This day included!
Maybe it is just this year that had enough?
You can do this, Little Miss!