My "babies" completed grade 9 today. The last exam was written this morning, and we celebrated with a trip to the mall to purchase a few needs, and a couple of wants as the icing on the cake. Outfitted with a several new goodies from their favourite stores, the girls happily headed home to begin their much anticipated summer holidays. It was a busy year, one that flew by impossibly fast. It has been a year of change for the twins, but one that they were more than ready to face. They navigated their first year of high school, juggled two sets of exams, and made countless new friends along the way. My husband and I are so proud of them! Along with all the academic accomplishments, there are also many other changes. Independence is a huge one. My husband and I often find ourselves sitting alone over dinner or on a Friday evening. And it's quiet - imagine that! The chaos that surrounds a life with small children has abated, much to our surprise. And, while we revel in this new found time to spend together, the edges of this new reality are bittersweet. That is one of the many oddities of raising multiples - all stages go by in blur, as though you have been on perpetual fast forward for the past 15 years. My husband and I play the game of "Remember When" all the time. Remember when the girls climbed the baby gate and met you at the front door? Remember when they learned to climb out of their cribs and we would find them sleeping curled up together on the floor? Remember when they said dog and it came out like "gog" ? We could go on for hours with this game, and it comforts the transition for us as our girls make their way into young adulthood. They are great girls, and it is such fun to watch their personalities take hold.
Today, one of the best things about being a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom happened. After our return from the mall, I lay down to read my book for a little bit (anyone else obsessed with Diana Gabaldon's new book?? Ummmm, I can't get anything done...too busy reading). My youngest (by 30 seconds!) curled up beside me and began to fill me in on all the goings-on in her life of late. We talked friends, makeup, clothing, books and her desire to learn photography from her Grampy, for at least half an hour. It is in these rare times that harken back to their baby days, when ironically I catch a glimpse of the adults they will become. Cuddled up next to me, this girl shares a bit about her dreams and aspirations with me. I see in her a depth of maturity, a sense humour, and a desire to pursue nascent interests. The stress and demands of exams catch up to her and she falls asleep, still snuggled up like a bug in a rug. I should be getting dinner, but I don't. We stay right where we were, and I soak up the extraordinary that was presenting itself on this ordinary day.
So, all that to say my kids are getting BIG! They don't really want to take gifts to their teachers at the end of the year any longer. That doesn't mean that the culmination of the school year has been quiet around here though! I have been churning out tote bags as teacher gifts like a mad sewing woman. Recently, I found a beautiful piece of bright red fabric. It was large enough to make a couple of bags so I set right to work after I got the fabric into my sewing room. I am so thrilled with the results! What do you think? This tote is sturdy and durable, and really, how can you not smile when you see all those polka dots and flowers? I'll have another red tote to share soon. I hope your kids had a great year at school too! Happy summer to us all!!!
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