Typically I don’t buy into the gift buying for passing. I guess I want my kids to know passing is something we just expect and rewarding it with a mountain of presents seems (at least to me) to send a message that there were moments of doubt they would ever get to this point. I don’t remember being given anything other than a ride to gymnastics after passing and being rewarded with cold, outdoor, early morning, summer swimming lessons—yippee!
I did consider the idea of buying them each a book. Something age appropriate at their reading level, especially for my seven year old who seems to really love to read. Maybe a chapter book she could read quietly to herself throughout the summer and make that a special annual prize. Please refrain from suggesting I donate a goat to a family in need, we’ll look into that for the holiday season.
After our bike ride and skipping routine tonight, Ellie (age five) asked if she could run into the house and bring out a juice box. Juice boxes (though 100% juice) are considered a treat in our house, mostly because it’s far cheaper to drink a glass from the larger, plastic (BPA free) container and water it down to really stretch your pennies and save your kids teeth in the process.
Tonight, she returned with a can of Fruitopia. Typically, I would wonder where it came from but this time, I knew where it came from. I saw Fruitopia in a large display rack at the grocery store for $5/case and having never bought it, I planned to tuck it away for that famous, annual backyard neighbourhood bbq we always threaten to host.
She cracked it open before I could tell her she wasn’t allowed and I let it go. It was the end of the school year, maybe this would be her graduation present. She said (eyes bulging from the sugar rush), “Mommy, this tastes great! Is it good for you?” I replied, “No honey, it’s full of junk.”
Ellie: Oh, like alcohol? (as she took what appeared to be a hopeful swig)
Hanna then emerged from the car, returning from her last music lesson. She claimed to have been tested both on paper and on keyboard and received a grade of 93. As neither one of us have a musical background, we have yet to determine (and may never know) what that mark is out of so we hugged her what we thought was an appropriate amount.
She waved her hands in a Z pattern and snapped several times in her little sister’s face while sticking her neck out in a repeated bobbing duck motion.
My book suggestions have become painfully obvious.
For Ellie, “The Bartenders Guide to Summer Fruit Drinks,” for Hanna, anything with the words “Oh No You Di’in’t” in the title.
Congratulations for passing.
