Little Girl No More

Two Emmas...is this my greatest fantasy or worst nightmare? It depends on the day.

There's an interesting shift in dynamics around here with Braeden gone. Braeden is a go getter...which is the nice way of saying annoyingly driven. Emma is much more relaxed in the getting things done department. Which is kind of nice. We've been working on cleaning her room. She'll happily sit cross-legged and sort beads and contemplate drawings she's done and we've been slowly slowly digging through the disarray.

And guess what? She's growing up. She's never been one to play with dolls much...I guess it's the sandwiched between brothers thing. This year...finally...for the first time...she's willing to part with the rarely opened bin of dolls. (Which is mostly stuff I had as a little girl. I was into dolls.) This year she donated her Barbies that she never ever played with to a family in need. She handed over (and this is a miracle) a box of stuffed animals she's moved on from. We boxed up dress up clothes and play dishes. Without a tinge of regret. Amazing.

We made room for Emma's enormous collection of notebooks for drawing and writing and for all of her craft supplies. Helping her arrange it all I realized how much alike we are. Our interests run in the same channels. This girl who I often feel is something of a mystery to me is actually a lot like me.

I wonder as she's approaching adolescence just what sort of mark she'll leave on the world. Creativity and imagination drip out of her fingers...where will it take her?

Today she also learned a lesson that will serve her well in motherhood.

We were driving in the van and Mark asked her to read to him from the book Emma had. She keeps a library in the car...just in case.

Emma said no.

Then Mark started talking--and that kid can drive-you-crazy-beg-for-mercy talk. After a few minutes, Emma sighed deeply, picked up the book and started reading.

And Mark stopped talking.

Good girl Emma. You're learning.