The Last Gasp of Winter Break

School’s back tomorrow and, frankly, not a moment too soon.

For me, at least. And for Sophie, I think. The need for structure is a pretty sophisticated thing to articulate, so she’s not saying so, but I know she has it — she shows it, every time she puts up a fight (as in, every five minutes) over the silliest things. Yesterday in Target she wanted EVERYTHING, and put up a fight for it. I had to admit the round yellow placemat made a good seat, she looked adorable in that nude pushup bra, and yes, we probably need a new vacuum cleaner but this was not so cute by the 100th item, nor was it adorable when she rounded a corner and disappeared momentarily. Even my trick of role playing Ms. X isn’t working. I’m just not an adequate structure-keeper.

Poor Annabelle. She, most decidedly, is not in favor of going back to school. Third grade has marked the difference between play and work at school for her. She’s capable of doing the work and she does it, but it stresses her out.

I know exactly how she feels. I tried to tell her that last night, when the four of us were driving home from my mom’s, after saying goodbye to my sister and her family. She didn’t seem to believe me. I didn’t realize Sophie was really paying attention, til she chimed in with some soothing words for her sister.

“Annabelle, you come to my class, it will be easy for you.”

I made Annabelle repeat what Sophie had said, to be sure I had it right. What a sweetheart. When she’s not driving me nuts.