What is really important

We spent an hour with a group of new kids -- singing, dancing and playing around. Ultimately, Gwenchik ended up running around like crazy playing catch up with them. As we are driving home she reflects:

Gwen: I was the fastest one, right?

Me: Yes, but is it really that important?

Gwen: Honestly yes, but if anyone else asks -- it is more important to play.

Have options...

Gwenchik overheard during one of our friends get together in our house as a friend's mother described how during the discussions about "future wife" her 6 year old son stated that Gwenchik is off the list -- she is his friend girl.

Gwen: Mom, why didn't you correct her?

Me: I should have? I thought you really liked Lesha the most.

Gwen: Well yes, but it is nice to have options. When I grow up I can than choose, right? Doesn't really need to happen now?

My own money

Gwenchik just came from her hockey practice -- all smiles. Often during or after practice kids ask for lollipops from the stand and once in a while we oblige Gwenchik as well. The last time we talked that we can buy a bag of these in CVS for about twice the price of one of them... and that got her thinking and planning...

Gwen: Mom, look what I bought with my own money! You know I took it out of my piggy bank.

Me: Nice friendship bracelet and a sticker for your helmet.

Gwen: Yes, the sticker is important and will stay forever. And the bracelet is better than a lollipop: you can't buy a bag of these in CVS, and anyways a lollipop would be gone in five minutes and all I would have to show for it is a blue tongue.

Visions of Tooth Fairy

Gwen: I saw, I saw the Tooth Fairy!

Me: What did she look like?

Gwen: She was all white, just like the teeth with a white bag. The bag was split in two sections -- one for teeth and another for money. She also had a beautiful white wand. She flew into the house and checked to see if I was sleeping... but I was pretending and she didn't understand that I was pretending and peeking, because she didn't have the special magic like Santa to see if I was asleep.

Tooth Fairy inflation adjustment

During our long drive to Toronto Gwenchik lost yet another tooth and was a bit concerned if the Tooth Fairy goes this far north.

Gwen: Will she know that I am in Canada, just like Santa? What kind of money will she give me? Does Canadian Tooth Fairy actually give dollars or maybe dolls?

.....

In the morning Gwenchik got 3 Canadian dollars (a loony and a toony)

Gwen: Mom, the Tooth Fairy gave me 3 dollars!!! Not one!!

My own, personal Daddy

We have been on vacation in Toronto, and George took Gwenchik to a few museums and then almost daily swimming in the pool. So at some point in the day, I wanted to hug them both, and Gwen objected.

Gwen: I have MY own, personal Daddy that I do not want to share!

Uncle enticement

Gwen's uncle is leaving for Russia, so she is really upset and really doesn't want him to go.

Gwen: I made this snowman from popcorn and jelly beans in my cooking class today. I will give it to my uncle Roddy!

Me: Great, I am sure he would like that.

Gwen: I know, and then I can make another one, and another one ... and he will like all of them and will have to stay to eat them all! And I will make one a week -- he'll stay for the entire year.

Future husband considerations

In one of our mother-daughter conversations we got around to talking about kissing and getting married.

Gwen: Who do you think I should marry?

Me: I think you need to wait just a bit more for that.

Gwen: I know, I know... but if I were to get married now -- who do you think would be best?

.....

After my suggestion of a younger boy Misha

......

Gwen: No, ALL husbands are older!

Me: Well, no. You know aunt Yana who is older that her husband.

Gwen: Hmm. She is? Well, I guess Misha wouldn't be that bad and he is more likely to take care of me.

Santa's list

Gwenchik and a friend decided it was about time to write a letter to Santa. So they locked themselves in a room ... 5 minutes later

Gwen: Mom, I need you to help me.

Me: What, with the spelling?

Gwen: No. I do not know want I want and if I do not come up with something --- I'll get nothing and then I will be really upset.

School report card

We got Gwenchik's first school report card this weekend and had to sit down and go over it with her. She is doing great academically and even got a few outstanding, but following the rules and routines are not her strong points.

Gwen: Well, I am doing even better than I thought. They didn't tell you half the things we do in school! :) Yes, yes, I'll follow the rules, but often they make them up as they go along!

Tooth Fairy screw up

Gwenchik finally lost her front tooth in school yesterday and brought it back in a small white tooth shaped box, which was promptly deposited under the pillow. Next morning believe it or not there was a gold dollar in the plastic bag.

So tonight while preparing for bed we found the plastic bag with the white tooth box.

Me: Strange, why there is a bag still under the pillow?

Gwen: The Tooth Fairy forgot to take it with her in exchange for the dollar so she will probably come back tonight with another, don't you think?

After School

We have a GREAT after school program and on the early release days they organize field trips. So far they went to CoCo Water country and to a farm to collect apples.

Gwen: Tomorrow we will go on another field trip! Yeee!

Me: Great that you like them.

Gwen: Oh, I like them more that school itself. We get to run around and have fun instead of sitting in class learning letters. I can read so it is soooooooo boring.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Gwenchik lazily woke up this morning to happy birthday singing and the family crowding her bed with presents (family tradition). She thought to wait on unwrapping presents until the evening when the rest of the family gang would be showing up for the unwrapping of the entire heap of presents all at once -- but changed her mind in five minutes. I couldn't have waited even that long. :)

Gwen: It is my birthday, so I do not have to go to school.

Me: Yes, you do.

Gwen: What is the point of a birthday if I have to be in school on that day?

School till death

Gwenchik got back from school...

Gwen: School is boring.

Me: I thought you had a lot of fun yesterday.

Gwen: Well, yes, but I am done with it now.

Me: You know that you will need to go to school now for the next 12 years.

Gwen: 12 years!!! Till I die!

Oh, the excitement

Fifth day in school, and that after a long weekend holiday break ---- the school is still exciting.

So much so that Gwenchik just doesn't have time for mundane things like lunch.

Me: It looks like you didn't eat lunch at school today. Why?

Gwen: I know, I am starving! You know I was so busy chatting with my new friend that there

was NO TIME to actually eat lunch. Could you pack lunch that I can eat in one minute?

We still have so much to talk about!

Circle time

In first grade the day starts of with circle time. As I have never been through an American school system it is an alien concept to me, but I guess it is a way to connect. So we are discussing how the first day went...

Me: So what did you talk about during circles time

(the only actual activity that I am aware for that day)

Gwen: You told you name and the color you like.

Me: So what was your color?

Gwen: Well, I actually do not have a preferred color and I told them so.

......

Oh my, and this is just the beginning

Tomorrow -- First day of school

Tomorrow Gwenchik goes to the 1st grade. She is so exited and a bit apprehensive.

Gwen: Mom, will you come with me tomorrow?

Me: Yes, of course.

Gwen: And you can stay in the back of the class...

Me: No, sweetie, the school doesn't allow parents to stay during classes.

Gwen: They do not. What will I do?

Dancing

While we were listening to Viennese Waltz in the car and I was describing the debutante balls --- dancing, beautiful dresses...

Gwen: This music is really pretty. Can you dance waltz alone?

Me: No, you always dance with a partner.

Gwen: And I bet it is a boy.

Me: Yes.

Gwen (disappointed): Well, I guess I will not be dancing waltz anytime soon. Boys are so difficult to manage.

Women understand...

While driving to a friend's house, Gwenchik put on a generous amount of lip gloss and before leaving the car asked if she looked sparkly enough.

Me: Yes, though it looks a bit too much

Gwen: Well, auntie Kate would appreciate that. She is a WOMAN!

Downside to growing up

At a playdate with Gwenchik’s friend Nika the girls heard us lament how quickly kids grow up.

Nika: I want to grow up as soon as I can!

Gwen: No, I do not. Because you know if you grow up than your mom dies and I want my mom around. I just do not know how not to grow up.