ready
2010
There’s been so much readying lately here in Bootville. This week’s readying has been both exciting and daunting. As a muma, I am filled with amazed pride and wistful memories that here we are, ready for highschool. Oh my goodness, wasn’t it only the other day that we were ready for 3 year old kinder. It’s oh so trite, but the time has simply disappeared.
Abby and I have spent marvellous days together, sitting at the kitchen table creating unique covers for her notebooks. Over the years we’ve had wrapping paper, scanned images from favourite picture books, and cut-up picture books from thrift stores adorning the covers of Abby’s notebooks. This year – perhaps in a statement of individuality – a positive resolve to reveal to the 175 fellow 12 year olds she will spend the next six years with who she is, what she loves, and how she spends her time – Abby wanted us to draw the covers of her books.
Out came the family draw paper (honestly, this is the best value purchase I have ever made from Ikea – it is carted around the house to be used for all manner of things – it was even taken to Brisbane on our recent trip!), our favourite colours of pens, pencils and crayons piled up in front of us, and we divided the pile of notebooks in half and drew. And drew. And drew. Abby declares her finger is sore from drawing!
Even if I had sat and mulled over it for hours, I don’t think I could have come up with a better way of sharing the days before this huge new adventure. It gave us hours to chatter and just sit peacefully with each other. Every now and then, a new topic would come up – all manner of things. We discussed the books she has read over the holidays, the films we have seen. We reminisced about the people we spent our holidays with and how we will keep in touch – Abby and Sacha are big fans of the written letter.
We pondered the horrors of war and genocide (I’ve just finished reading “The Book Thief”, often with a pointy chin resting on my shoulder whilst someone reads along with me) and the power of words. We’ve talked about “knowing” people and keeping safe (after seeing The Lovely Bones together – yes, there were elements that were terribly frightening and soul breaking sadness -and it sure wasn’t the best film ever made – but with Abby starting to catch public transport and visiting the local shops by herself and with her friends, it was a timely topic. Not that I believe the world to be a dangerous place full of people that must be feared and thus ignored – but I do think it is important to at least talk about that murky line that can be so hard to find).
I could feel us moving into a different part of our relationship as mother and daughter. Even richer and closer. And yet I understand, that with the coming of highschool, there will be difficulties and dramas – that’s what happens :-)
And last night, to celebrate this milestone, I hung new streamers above the kitchen table especially made for Abby – her school colours and emblem – and we shared her at-the-moment-favourite dinner – free range Charcoal Chicken and Chips. Then, Abby took one of the felt appliques and stitched it onto her new school bag. A little bit of muma-made homeliness perhaps, as she finds her place in a new, huge and busy community.
(this felt streamer is super quick and satisfying to make … using wool felt, I drew 24 white circles and 24 navy circles with a glass tumbler and coloured pencil. I cut them out. Then I made a star template out of paper (scraps of family draw paper from the notebook covering), pinned it to the red felt and cut out 96 stars – this was a wee bit time consuming. Then I simply placed a pile of navy and a pile of white beside the sewing maching, with a pile of red stars. I placed the star in the middle of a circle, and started stitching on the machine (using my walking foot) from the edge and straight through the middle of the star. Without cutting the thread, I fed the next circle (alternate colour) and star through. I have two streamers of 24. Then I turned it over and added stars to the back of each circle so the streamer is double sided – and looks pretty no matter which way it twists – I used red thread so it was easy to follow the same line of stitching on the back. If you are tempted to try it and need some better instructions, please email me!)
So here we are this morning.
Hair is done.
Bag is packed.
It’s time to go. My girl is ready.
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I loved reading this, Lily.
I hope she has a wonderful day! The book covers look like so much more fun than the two days I spent wrestling metallic contact plastic, covering a zillion books for three kidlets. The Book Thief is one of my very favourite books. It is just heartbreaking!
I so hope Abby had a great first day.
An exciting transition made easier no doubt by delightful preparation at home! She looks so grown up. Best wishes, Abby!
Ah, drama. I must say, it’s the drama that does me in. I’m sure that she will do well in high school – I wish her all the best.
I loved The Book Thief, too. Have the read the authors other book, I Am the Messenger? I really enjoyed it, too.
Good luck to Abby! Lovely post! Kalle started at secondary school last autumn. He has very good friends at school. When they have break they come to us and have some cakes or candies. It is so easy, when living about 200 metres from school! Have a nice weekend!
I hope Abby has a wonderful time at her new school! Best of luck! She’ll no doubt have the prettiest note books.
I really enjoyed reading this. What a special relationship you have with your daughter.
Best wishes to Abby, she looks so grown up and beautiful!
Reading your posts about you and Abby has brought back many wonderful memories for me. Like you, my daughter and I had an extraordinary relationship and enjoyed many adventures together. I was NEVER ready to give up her companionship at the end of the summer!! Now she’s a young adult and our relationship is that much more special and I am so thankful! Enjoy every moment, because they grow up way too fast! ~karen
Oh, I hope your daughter had a wonderful first day. What a great artist she is…her note book looks incredible. I love seeing all the beautiful craft projects that you’re up to. Thanks for sharing!
love,
sara
Abby looks so beautiful in her blazer. Wait until you see how fast the next 6 years go. I hope she had a really great day. All of the preparing looks beautiful. I especially like the streamers. I loved the Book Thief. I couldn’t put it down.