With a new year literally just hours away, I keep finding myself thinking about how my children are growing so quickly before my eyes. When I was little, I used to think it was funny when people said how the year just seemed to fly past. Now I understand. As I watched my children open Christmas presents I realized both how young and how old they each are and how quickly it has happened!
My 9-year-old was delighted to open his Kindle Fire...a gift we pondered over for a long time before deciding upon. It is really hard for me to comprehend the fact that he is old enough to be responsible with it and yet young enough that when he opened the wrapping paper on his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure, he couldn't stop there. He immediately tore the package open, popped out the turtle and started to play with it! But oh, he is growing so fast!
Then my 7-year-old opened her tiny little box. She couldn't even begin to guess what was inside...an iPod Shuffle awaited her! She was so excited she jumped up and down and danced around the living room! It was my idea to get it for her because she loves music so much and often asks to listen to my iPod. I loved watching her face as she realized what it was and that it was her very own. She's growing so fast!
My 4-year-old fell head over heals in love with her Pete the Cat stuffed animal! She enjoyed her new Lego sets, her horse and stables set and had them assembled and spread over the kitchen table for hours of play on Christmas evening. But...she also loved the video games she got and has spent much time playing them as well over the last few days. She's growing so fast!
The 1-year-old little lady actually understood how to open presents this year! It was a joy to watch her dig in to the wrapping paper, toss the gift aside and play with the boxes! Last year she sat in her bouncy seat and watched. She played with the shiny bows and chewed on her new toys...after someone else unwrapped and opened them. Oh how times change...she's growing so fast!
I keep thinking about my students too. Wondering how their Christmases were? Did they get a special gift that they enjoyed as much as my children did? Have they been able to relax at home and play with their new toys like my children have? Do they miss school and the predictable routines? My own children have enjoyed being at home and having free time but they are beginning to ask when they will get to see their friends, the babysitter, their teachers again because they love those things too. While I love my time at home with them, and my own vacation, it makes my heart happy to hear them ask when they get to go back to school! Somewhere along the line, they fell in love with school, just as I did as a child and just as I hope my students have.
Oh they grow so fast! My wish for the new year is to be more aware of this "speeding of time" so that I can slow down and really enjoy what I have here and now.
Goodbye 2012 and all the good times you brought (and the less than stellar times too, because they make us who we are). Hello and Welcome 2013! May the new year be filled with kindness and love.
Great to hear about your Christmas time Robin, and your children's happiness over their gifts. I'm glad you are having such a nice vacation. It is settling down here too, although I still have a lot to do in arranging things in my new home. It is good to get back to a routine I think, too, as you said, back to colleagues and teachers, etc. Happy New Year to you & your family. I hope too for kindness and love.
ReplyDeleteI loved your description of each child, their gift , and reaction to each. I missed having that this year since we were away. Gifts were sent weeks before the special day. Kids change so quickly, but they think time passes slowly. Thanks for sharing your kids with us.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post that made me smile. Your Christmas sounds like it was pure joy. I hope your students found joy during vacation as well. I wonder about my students, too.
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