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Home › Diaries › Leanne's › December 7, 1999

Leanne's Diary Entries

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December 7, 1999


Hello everyone! Sorry I missed submitting an entry last week but I was down and out with the flu -- AUGGGGGHHHH. It seems everyone I talk to or see is sick with either that or a cold.

In my last entry I wrote that I had a parent-teacher conference to attend, which I did, and it went very well. Jade is brilliant (she is in the top of her class) and bossy. She has trouble with wanting to be first all the time and wanting her friends to do what she wants them to do. I came up with a simple trial solution and the teacher agreed to try it: for one month Jade cannot be first in anything (lineups, recess, games, etc.) unless the teacher specifically asks her to be. Jade was in agreement and so far has been doing very well. She told me the other day that being first isn't so important and that sometimes being last is even better (I believe she may be grasping the concept, well, at least a little).

On the birthday party front, we have invited 12 children and nine adults to join us on a sleigh ride and wiener roast and I must say that I have never received such a quick response to a birthday party ever. Everyone is very excited and can't wait for December 12th to come, especially the birthday girl. 8 years old! Where does the time go? I don't mean to sound corny, but I really don't think that it is fair. I want more time with my baby, my little girl. I remember saying, when she was a baby, that I couldn't wait for her to get older, stronger, and more independent so that she and I could do more things, go on adventures etc., and now I want those baby years back. Sighhhhhh

Also in store for Jade on the 12th is her ballet audition. Personally, I think this is stupid. In my opinion, if the teacher doesn't already know who is ready to take their exam from what she sees in their class work, then she (the teacher) needs to pay more attention. In a conversation I had with the dance teacher she informed me that Jade, just turning 8, may not be ready for the ballet exam and that all the other children are 9 or will be 9 and are showing stronger discipline than Jade. That is fine with me, but Jade is really upset. She points out that she did her ballet assessment last year, which is a preparation for an exam, and scored one of the highest marks, so why would her dance teacher say that? I explained to her as best as I could why her teacher would feel that way, and I think that she is feeling a little better about it. However, if the teacher has already made up her mind that Jade is not ready for the exam, why do the audition? Once again I will speak to the teacher.

Back to the school.... Last week Jade had two incidents of inappropriate behavior. One was punching out a boy who was holding her face down in a pile of snow and the other was for pinching a boy who stole something of hers and then teased her with it. A note that Jade wrote stating that she hurt someone and was sorry came home, we discussed it, I signed the note and sent it back to school with her. Both boys are attending her birthday party -- go figure!

Christmas is coming! Is anyone other than me not ready?! I cannot believe how completely unorganized I am this year. I have done nothing to prepare for Christmas -- okay, I did put up my Christmas tree. Usually at this time I have all the presents bought and wrapped, goodies baked, etc. So far, I bought one present and baked nothing. I have been so busy doing everything else that Christmas seems furthest from my mind. I don't even feel all warm and fuzzy yet, and I always start feeling that way in the middle of November!! Even Jade, who is currently focused on her birthday, has not mentioned Christmas or the gifts she would like. I certainly hope I can get myself together in time without stressing out. I will start after the birthday is behind us. Does anyone have any special Christmas traditions they care to share? We always have dinner at my parents and always open gifts on Christmas morning, never Christmas Eve but that is about it really. I have been looking to start a new tradition but really have no idea what it should be. Jade's school Christmas concert is Thursday the 16th and I really look forward to that (so do Grandma and Grandpa). She is in the choir and is very excited about the songs they will be singing. Last year's finale was so good it gave me goosebumps, all the children in the school (there are only 180) sang "Children of the Light." It was beautiful.

I had better end this entry soon as I am home this week working on an assignment and it is probably best that I don't get too involved in the fun stuff. However, before I go I am going to share something personal and maybe someone out there can share their opinions with me.

Last week I ran into Jade's biological father while I was walking around in the business section downtown. I have not seen him since April 1998 when he promised Jade that he would come back and teach her to ride her bike, he never came back and until last Thursday we have neither seen or spoken with him. Anyhow, he spots me, scurries over and lavishes me with hugs, nice words and exchanged kisses. We talk about him and him some more. Yes, he loves to talk about himself. I was able to get in a few words and asked him how his personal life was doing. BIG MISTAKE!! Very tenderly (like I am going to be devastated) he tells me that he is currently involved with someone and has been talking about marriage. That is great I tell him, glad to see you are growing up. He asks if I want to hear the really great news, so I say sure, what is it? He say it like this "Jade is going to be a big sister in February, isn't that great? We are all going to be soooo close!" OH MY GOD!!! WE? BIG SISTER? CLOSE? What drug is he on? He then went on to talk about what this new pregnancy meant to him, to us, to Jade, etc. I had to leave, I was getting ill. I told him to keep me posted and that I had dibs on babysitting (I am such a liar). We parted with exchanged kisses and he said he would call me this weekend. He never did.

I haven't told Jade about her soon-to-be half sister or brother because I know she would be thrilled and maybe even a little saddened. She knows that Chad is the guy who helped create her but she doesn't feel any loss over not having him around, we have a very wonderful family so there is no need for her to feel loss. I have always been very straight with her when we discuss the mommy/daddy thing, she knows that he and I are only friends but if I were to discuss this with her would I not be opening a whole can of worms that needn't be opened for a while? Besides he didn't follow through with the bike or the phone call, so I don't really expect him to pursue this idea either.

That is all for now folks, I have a lot more to say but I am running out of time! I wish you all a wonderful week, with many wishes that your children and you stay healthy!



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