2018 felt like a milestone year. This was the year I sharply felt the inevitability of the kids growing up.
I remember the day when Chloe became self-conscious of wanting to sit on my lap during meals. It was early October and we had just finished visiting Grandpa Mike in the hospital. We took Lola out to lunch at CPK and Cindy, Jeff and the kids were there, too. Chloe had spotted a kid who looked younger than her who was sitting in his own chair. She then turned to me and told me that the kid was sitting on his own and maybe she should start sitting on her own, too. Of course, it was a bittersweet moment: is it easier to eat without having to navigate my food around someone’s head? Oh, for sure. But, this also meant she was recognizing that even she is getting too big for that kind of stuff.
Does Chloe still sit on my lap at meal times? Well, sometimes, but it’s not all of the time anymore….
She also lost her second front tooth…and she’s reading very well, in both Spanish and English. Although, it’s difficult to get her to motivate to do her homework, she actually proactively tries to read all sorts of things on her own when we are out and about! Sometimes, she’ll giggle with slight embarrassment and tell me that she doesn’t read in English, only Spanish.
As for Dylan, his take on the world, his insights and analysis…have become so much more sophisticated. Just the other day, he was dissecting/deconstructing Mary Poppins Returns, impressively hitting on details and critiques that mirrored one of Uncle Michael’s friend’s critiques! He identified plot holes and made comparisons to the first one, even pulling in oversights to book details (it turns out, he has listened to the Audible book many times over!).
Whereas last year, he was not interested in the school dances, this year he went to his first middle school dance (Halloween) and his formal….I can see why he has developed such good friendships: he’s witty and kind and easy-going. I have seen his confidence grow this past year!
He is still incredibly passionate about dance, still dancing his way across the room probably 50% of the time, if not more!) and takes to the stage with such ease and grace.
He also knows what he believes in and has developed the ability to reflect on why he takes the stands he makes. He is unafraid to be himself (and I hope this lasts!) and to have his own opinions.
It’s a remarkable journey to observe…!
Then there’s Cameron. She really is fluent in Spanish. She helped a patient in the care home communicate with a nurse who didn’t speak Spanish; in another incident (while staying in a hotel for the SJ Rock ‘n’ Roll), she helped a Spanish-speaker navigate out of the parking garage. She is reading Spanish books above her grade-level. She also got the absolute max score possible in the state standardized math test (I’m not a big believer in standardized tests, but I do feel that the adaptive math tests yield more objective results).
Cameron also had a banner year in running: 1st place in Wonder Woman 10K (and she ran the course on her own!); 2nd place in the Turkey Trot, and 3rd place in the Pacific Grove 5K. She had several PRs for Wharf to Wharf, She.is.Beautiful, and Rock ‘n’ Roll.
She is clearly talented, self-motivated and determined, and I have concerns about pressure she’ll put on herself! But, this is the year that she has matured enough to realize that she can’t do it all (dance, soccer, theater, running, etc.) and sometimes one has to prioritize….
I’m looking forward to seeing what 2019 will bring!
