Family Happenings: Fabulous Farah!

Definitely a free spirit

Farah is loving this summer (between kindergarten and first grade). We continued to have some major clothing issues, but they magically evaporated on the last day of school! I've tried to get her to communicate why she's okay with clothes now and a few weeks ago we were battling over every stitch of clothing. She basically said she likes her freedom. I guess I can understand that, but it's not as easy to handle at 7:01 on a Monday when we were supposed to be loaded in the van already and she's upstairs shrieking about her pants. Oh, well, we have several weeks before we have to think about that again!
I am so glad that she is enjoying getting up and out of the house. In years past, that has been a major battle, just getting dressed and going to do something. This summer, she wants to go do something new each day, and I am happily accommodating that desire! So far this summer, we have been to Blandy Farm, storytime at the library (not a favorite of hers), the pool (twice), the splash pad in Winchester, The Frontier Culture Museum (a huge hit; I think she shares my love of history), Dinosaur Land, and are getting ready to spend three days in Lancaster, PA with Joyce. Every night Farah records in her journal what she did that day with an accompanying drawing. She loves the drawing part, but not the writing so much. Like the clothing, Farah likes her freedom in choosing what and how to write. She will write up a storm during naptime (not so much of it actually makes sense), but to sit down and write a journal or a letter to a friend is not as pleasant.
Currently, Farah is getting along quite well with her siblings. She and Blake can have some battles, but all in all, they enjoy each other, and she knows how to get the alone time she needs. She, as always, has a fabulous imagination and vocabulary. She did well in kindergarten, but I think she expected to be able to read easily by now. She hates when I suggest a book for her to read aloud to me. I don't want to push her too hard, but I know that practice will help in the long run.
Our biggest issue lately has been attitude, lots of eye rolling and mean words under her breath, as well as some back talking. It's hard to know how to discipline that type of behavior. I told her I was going to start calling her "Rudy Attitudi." She said she would die of embarrassment if I called her that in public! She is so perfect when it's just the two of us, but unfortunately, that doesn't happen as often as she would probably like. She has started running with me some in the evenings, which we both love. She is very funny; her sense of humor can often be inappropriate, but she also knows how to be witty. Her fashion sense is very unique (she prides herself on that) and she gets along well with the kids in our neighborhood. Her best friend is Ella. If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she'll tell you a fashion designer. I love when she senses that I'm getting stressed out, usually when I'm trying to get everyone out of the house, she'll tell me she loves me. She has a sweet, kind heart, and is definitely one of a kind!