Kristina is still young enough to know enough ~ but not enough. Make sense? I elected to send a photo of Kristina at the age of 20 months -- the age we met her for the very first time. (Click here if you want to re-live those moments with us...!) Coincidentally, that was 4 years ago this week, so how apropos was it to send a photo from one of our first moments together? I mean really -- 20 months is still a baby, right? In my book -- definitely!
Well, Kristina came home from school with the picture and sadly declared "Some of the kids at school were making fun of me -- saying I was bald." What? Who said that? What was his/her name? Well, I...... Yes, the Mama Bear in me wanting to protect my cub was coming out. How dare someone say that! Ok, ok -- these are kids and I have to prepare myself that I can't shelter my little one from hurtful comments. All I can do is to prepare her regarding how to respond and instill a sense of self-confidence the best I can so comments like this don't shake her up.
What's interesting to me is to see her interaction with the "older" kids at school and in the aftercare program. Earlier this week, I drove up to pick up Kristina from aftercare and she was playing on the playground. I could easily see her and the other kids and hear all that was being said. (It's ok to stalk if it's your own kid, right?) Kristina made a fancy knot with a jump rope and then yelled to one of the boys "Hey, look what I made" and the boy replied "I don't talk to baby kindergarteners." UGH -- excuuuuuuuse me? ~ I thought! This boy was a feisty First Grader -- how rude! He saw me and I gave him the "Laura Look," as Jon calls it --- the same one I use if we get cut off on the freeway. I didn't say anything to the little boy, only asked Kristina to show me her cool knot. Kids are kids...I'm just not used to this yet!
I'm sure many more projects await us and more comments will be said to thinken our skin, but all I can say is "bring it on." Four years ago was the beginning of the best thing that has ever happened to Jon and me. We love you, Kristina DeAnn!!!! xoxoxo
September, 2008 -- Age 20 months, Trip 1
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| No, Kristina, my dear --- you were not bald. Just very fair, white hair! |
September, 2012 -- Age 5 1/2 years old
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| Our Angel *loves* her scooter! |
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| "You are our sunshine, our only sunshine..." |
7 comments:
Kristine sounds like she's got enough spunk to handle the fiestiest of first graders... second graders too! Carrigan is only 4, so we've only done "family photo" projects, but not sure how to handle the first "family tree" assignment. Lots of creative ideas out there for adotptive families... I want to be prepared for that one!
Well that certainly brought back my shudder from Aidan's Pre-K graduation! Luckily for us, there was another Russian adoptee in his class who actually came home the week before but was about 6 months older. . .that helped. Our picture was of Aidan at 15 months. And yes, that is a baby in my book, too!! Forever, and ever my baby. . .
She looks soooo tiny! How FAST this time has gone!
Hi Honey:
Oh how I remember every picture you sent home when you were in Russia and we counted the days till we would be at LAX to hold that little doll and smother her with love....Memories that will never die. Yes, she is very capable to handle anyone or anything that gets in her way! Don't worry...you have trained her well.
luv,
Grammy
I have no fear that Kristina will hold her own. She's fiesty like Colby! And I love her baby photo. The earliest we have is at 14 months and I will treasure it always. Colby looks so cute in a pink T-shirt and bonnet! Kids are tough but I think our love will get them through.
Melissa
Laura,
My one niece has very blonde and fine hair too. She is a beautiful baby.
Joy
I love that first picture! Honestly, I LOVE every picture of Kristina. Her personality shows through each of them.
I also understand the Mother Bear in you. Karsen was told she couldn't sit with some of the girls on a certain bench at lunch because she was a "dummy". Seriously, I was ready to kick a little butt. Of course, the one girl who doesn't seem to like Karsen is the one she wants to be friends with.... Cadence could care less, but it is hard for Karsen which makes me sad. I could really envision myself doing something mean to the little "devil" who called my baby a name; however, I know that "dummy" might be PG compared to names that might come in the future. It breaks my heart to see my little girl get her feelings hurt. Sad that it starts as early as Kindergarten....
Love you guys!
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