Happy Summer Vacation

"This certifies that Emma K. has satisfactorily completed the course of study
required for promotion from second to third grade and is therefore entitled
to this certificate on this 10th day of June, 2011"

Her sense of accomplishment is so grand. She turned 8 years old, and "graduated" from the second grade all in the same week! It has been a week of graduations and celebrations. Her class celebrated with an ice cream party, we congratulated 5th grade friends who are moving on to junior high, and high school friends who are now moving on to the rest of their lives. I remember the end of 1st grade. I arrived to her classroom to find not a dry eye on a little face. The entire class was in tears because the school year had ended. This year, instead of tears, there were lots of hugs and talk of future play dates and summer camps. We're happy to have you summer vacation! Bring on the water park, bring on the beach, bring on the sun!

Boy Energy

Lately, Emma has become quite the challenge for her teacher. Many a note home this last half of the school year reveals a level of bewilderment, amusement and most of the time all around confusion. I can never really offer too much of an explanation beyond the fact that the 'she' who shows up each and every morning is just who she is. Its no easy task trying to confine a dominant personality and energized spirit to a set rubric, especially when the two are intertwined within a Gemini. Now, this doesn't mean that dominant personalities are exempt from rule following, just that they often follow their own rules and demand that others do so as well. As expected, this is sure to create a clash in leadership. During our latest meeting, somewhere between the teacher's tales and the principal's rationalizations tumbled talk of 'boy energy'. I sat with that for moment.

When speaking of 'boy energy' they were of course speaking of all the rambunctious boys that help make up Emma's classroom, but I couldn't help but wonder about boys and girls and expectations, and was compelled to offer a reminder that rambunctious 'boy energy' does not just reside within boys. It just so happens to also resides within girls who love baseball and drum sets and guitars and race cars and video games and football and getting dirty. And just like some of those rambunctious 'boy energy' exerting tough boys, there are some nail polish wearing, dress sporting, tough girls who do not feel the need to apologize for being so. I gave birth to one of those.

The real challenge here is teaching the hard ugly lesson in the difference between effective leadership and just plain old fashion dictatorship. Seems that my little leader goes out into the world and dictates what those around her should be doing/should have already known they should have been doing/most absolutely WILL DO or else! The kid is that kid. Since I'm sure neither her teacher or principal will be giving her personology a lone stamp of approval anytime soon, the very best I can do is continue to assure them that we are all a part of Team Emma. So far so good!


June 5th Personology:

"You enjoy thinking about all manner of things thoroughly — be it a decision, a design, or a premise, it's all worth pondering. But you have too much zest to sit still with those thoughts. Once you've had time to process, it's time for action! Take care, however. Some people see this as officious. Try to express your enthusiasm in a way that doesn't come across as demanding." - Source

Back to Business

Sadly, vacation time has come to an end and its back to hitting the hay so that we can hit the road. That 6am alarm wasn't as painful as I thought it would be - it still left a sting though. I'm looking forward to the mornings were I get to turn that alarm clock waaaaay back because there will be no traffic to fight. Luckily, a little night prep got us out and on our way, arriving way ahead of schedule. So far so good.

A part of our night prep included hair. Since we hadn't really tended to hair in a week or so, Emma had two big dry braids the night before the return to school. I had planned to get her washed and styled over the break, but we were moving and shaking. No worries for us. Nothing a little Organics Root Stimulator Shea Butter Detangling Moisturizer Lotion and a simple banded style couldn't fix.


We just threw on her satin bonnet and she was good to go this morning. As for my hair, its growing pretty nicely. As it grows, I will be paying more attention to it and giving it more attention. My laid back lifestyle lends to a dry head some times. With this brisk winter air, I am sitting up and taking notice that I could be doing a whole lot better with moisturizing both my and Emma's hair. On on it! I'd really like to rock another puff soon, so I think I might do a blow out, assuming I remember where I packed the dryer =/ Either way, I'll be doing a length check soon. I love taking in my hair's progress, especially since I started out bald!

How was your first day back in action?

Lights, Camera, Action!

Yesterday, Emma had her annual school-days rite of passage: Picture Day. Its one of those school events that you either really look forward to or really dread... the dread probably doesn't kick in until middle school and high school. Luckily for us, its a day that we both look forward to.

For the first 12 months of her life, Emma was in front of the camera. I did not let a single month go by without capturing her growth, her personality, her milestones... it was all nurtured through the viewfinder, and birthed into scrapbooks and look books. She was a favorite at our local photography studio, often seeing herself on display in pretty frames. I'd like to think that experience shaped her budding relationship with the camera. She is just all about it. The girl can go from frowns to smiles in 0.5 seconds if you point your lens in her direction.

She was very excited about Picture Day. She wanted to wear something "pretty" and requested that her hair be pretty. And then I reminded her that she is ALWAYS pretty so she didn't have to worry about that. We picked a pose, a background color and a wardrobe. I had big plans for Picture Day hair, because yes, Picture Day hair is important. However, I got a case of the mommy brain and completely forgot about said day until the day before. So, my shampooed-conditioned-well moisturized BAA (big ass afro) with hair candy became old-slightly moisturized-box braids-swept to the side in a BAC (big ass cornrow) with hair candy instead. Nonetheless, I am sure that my girl's million dollar smile will be the highlight of those pictures when we get them back.

Patiently Waiting

$12.00

$4.87

$16.50

Because a girl can never have too many cute things. I am so in love with The Children's Place. I have been since Emma was a baby. They have the greatest deals, and some really fun pieces in their collections. And what's even better is that they put their new lines out ahead of season, and have steals during the seasons. So, for example, their Fall line was released during summer, and now that school is back in session they are practically giving away their Back to School styles.

15% off everything in stores when you spend $40 or more *no coupon necessary*
Plus 25% off the Fall collection

I ordered the above items and a few others from the Children's Place website. If you're looking for cuteness on a budget, The Children's Place is a fabulous place to stay in style without breaking the bank.

Kicking the Second Week of School off with Box Braids

Since our days will be starting early and ending reasonably late, and I will be starting work next weekend, I figure that now would be a great time for box braids. We can easily dress them up with beads and barrettes, do something different with the front sections, and even gather them into cornrows later. Also, washing and conditioning will be effortless. It took us about 4 hours to complete, although it doesn't really seem like there are that many braids here. As Cassadie of Natural Selection pointed out, the time that it takes to complete a style like this is totally worth it!

As for me, looks like I'm growing my hair. I have a TWA by accident really. I had planned to hold off until the beginning of next year, but as always, the curls grow, I fall in love, and the rest is nappy history. I love to run my fingers through my curls. I love the way they feel. I love twirling them around my fingers. I just love everything about my strands. I like the waves, I love being nearly bald, but I LOVE my curls. So, I haven't gotten a haircut, and I don't think I will. I think I might be ready to catch up to Emma. I have a good 3 months of grown going here, taking into account the fact that the haircut before last involved tapering the back and sides.


I'm working with a line that I don't like (square instead of round), but its cool. I'll just have to school the barber I'm working with, because if you don't voice what you want, and demonstrate it either by walking them through or showing pictures, there is a very good chance you could come up out of the barber chair ready to swing. I like this guy, so I don't wanna have to administer any punches to the throat. I am so very particular about how my hair is lined because of my damaged sides. So far, this guy hasn't gotten it exactly the way I like it, with this time being way off course. But, a little more coaxing should do the trick.

It Takes a Village

I have never visited a gas station as many times in one week as I did this week. It was unprecedented. I think I must have pulled in there once a day, and even twice on one day! By the stroke of pure luck and goodwill, I was able to get Emma to school on Friday. She was tardy, which I hated, especially because she is well known in the office. Not because she's one of the troublemakers, but because she was a frequent late bird last year, and because her and the school's principal are cool like that. They play football during recess. Even as we are beginning a new school year, the office administrator, whom I didn't recognize, knew who Emma was before she even told her. We are aiming for minimal office visits this school year!

Thanks to my approaching first paycheck, and the generosity of one of my mama friends, I am in the process of ensuring that Emma gets to school, each day, on time. Turns out that said mama friend and I hit the road around the same time, which makes carpooling a viable option and offer that we are grateful to accept. We will meet her in a neighboring city and she will transport Emma to school for me, along with her daughter. This will be a tremendous help on days when my money is short. It can be very expensive traveling back and forth on the daily. Thank goodness for the hearts and availability of my Cal parent community!

At a Crossroads

I couldn't be happier to see this weekend approaching. Its been a long week, and last week was even longer. I haven't done this much traveling in a long time. Getting up extra early, hitting the highway, and not returning until the end of the day. It feels good to be productive again, however, my limited resources present a challenge. Unfortunately, cars don't run on air, and I don't drive a Hybrid! Our morning voyage to school involves crossing 3 highways, and breezing through 7 different cities. I think its worth it. Emma's happiness, comfort, and quality education are worth it.

It was only the second day of school and I was already rummaging through my purse collecting every single coin I could find. I emptied $9 worth of coins on the counter of my local gas station yesterday, repeatedly apologizing for being that person, too damn early in the morning. And after school, my gas tank was even more empty than before I emptied my purse. I raided my car's loose change, but the booty is nowhere near enough to get us back to school today. I can't let Emma miss a day of school on the error that we can't afford to get there.

Positive Affirmation #1: Everything will work out!

First Day of Second Grade

Well. Its official. My baby girl is now a second grader. Where is the time going? I mean, seriously. Each new year brings a new and exciting experience for the both of us. I get to see her settle into a new routine, get to know a new educator, make new friends and reconnect with old ones. She gets to broaden her world view, formulate new stories to share with me, and create new memories.

Considering the fact that Emma's new teacher put all of us parents out of the classroom, promptly at the start of class time, I'm guessing that the days of standing in the background, as a silent observer, snapping candid photos is over. None of that going down in second grade. The excitement (for me) was over as soon as it began. I had to wait until the end of business to find out what the first day of second grade was like. I am seeing great things ahead though. I am liking the direction that her new teacher wants to take things already.


Any firsts for you or your children this week?