Now For Some Good News

The school picnic was a success. I know this, because both parents and teachers were coming up to tell me how great it was. They particularly liked that it happened right after school let out, rather than being on another day.

Attendance was significantly improved over other years. That was a good thing. Except for the fact that we barely had enough food, even with me making an emergency run to Costco right before it started.

I thought this photo was amusing:

We had pinatas for the little kids and they recruited The Child to help them. She has developed something of a reputation for being the person who's gonna bring it on home when it comes to pinata whacking. Not, perhaps, the sort of thing one puts on a high school application but we all have our gifts.

Please note the use of the phrase "high school application". Because I now am in possession of an 8th grader. Who needs a cocktail?

The Child was exceedingly proud of her report card, as well she should be. She just barely missed getting honors because she had one D. But since that D was in math and up from the F of last trimester, she'll take it. Not to mention that her teacher gave her high marks for effort and told me himself that she had worked really, really hard. As for the rest of her grades, though, wow. She brought up her grades, in all but one subject. And when I say "brought up", we're talking about A's and B's up from C's and D's. Yeah, I'm bragging and you're going to sit there and listen to it. This is a huge, huge accomplishment for her. Not to mention that the 8th grade teacher (who had her for social studies and lit this year) said that if she can just get her organization worked out and turn in on time the work that she does, she'd be "golden".

Of course, we know that. She knows that. So once again, this summer, we will work on those skills some more.

Last night she made a flyer, advertising herself as a Mother's Helper, and distributed it to some young families in the 'hood. Hopefully she'll get a few gigs. I'm a firm believer in kids being able to just knock around for the summer and not being over-programmed, even though I totally understand that most people have to work and don't have the luxury of letting their kids bash around kid-like for 2.5 months. But that said, The Child is now at an age where the responsibility of work is not a bad thing, either. And she gets snaps for being all entrepreneurial and motivated.

I must away. I promised The Child we'd blow some gift cards at The Gap. I need to find a kicky skirt for Chicago. And I need to make a salad for the Ministries dinner at church tonight. This is always a very lovely affair, with dinner catered by Mario Batali's folks. Yeah, we know how to roll.

Happy first day of summer, y'all. It was supposed to rain here today but at present it is beautifully sunny and mild. The tomatoes want watering. Oh, golly, how I love this time of year.