we must be doing something right.

because wednesday evening she made me so proud.

every thursday is the day she attends a different school (for the accelerated stuff)...and they get to do some cool activities. there is a nursing home nearby, so they often walk over and do projects, etc. with the residents...and she has made friends with 2 ladies in specific this year.

Bev and Muira.

henceforth known as 'my girls'.

when i came home from work wednesday evening and saw her favorite dress laid out with nylons and her fave shoes, i wondered what was going on. then i saw that she was arranging some of those school fund rasier pre-formed cookies onto a cookie sheet and pre-heating the oven. so i looked at Mike with my 'puzzled' look, and before i could ask, this is what she told me.

'hey Mom...how was your day? i'm just getting some cookies made for my girls, because we're having a GrandFriends Tea Party tomorrow at GATE. i just want to get these in the oven so i can go write them each a note.'

me: 'Allie? who are your 'girls'??'

'oh. that's my name for my friends Bev and Muira. they live at the Senior Center, and they're my guests tomorrow for tea.'

'oh. so why didn't you tell me you needed some cookies for them? i could have made them for you yesterday while i was home.'

'ummm, Mom? that wouldn't quite work. i wanted them to be from ME...you know, like i made them? i think it would mean alot to the girls.'

wow, lol.

so at a time when i frequently find myself doubting that i am doing alright in the guidance/do the right thing department, an incident like this comes along as if to let me know that i am in fact doing pretty darn good.

because i'm thinking not everyone at school was as excited about GrandFriends Day. but she was. and it warmed my heart to see the genuine care that was oozing out of my daughter for these 2 ladies who, 6 months ago, were complete strangers to her. here is what she wrote to Bev...

Beautiful
Enteresting
Very smart

Dear Bev,
I have enjoyed spending this journey with you.
I learned to never give up and to reach for the stars.
Enjoy this wonderful tea we have worked oh so hard on.
I will never forget you.

Sincerely,
Allie Harper

I’ll miss you very very much!!!!!!!!!!

**note the cute way she assigned each letter of Bev's name a word that describes her, lol...even if she spelled interesting wrong, lol. Muira got one just like it for herself.

so it would seem that this party signified the end of their school year relationship.

and Allie was a bit bothered by that.

so she gave 'the girls' her email address.

does anyone else find that significantly funny?

these 'girls' are both in their 80s...i'm guessing they don't email very often, lol.

but that doesn't change the fact that i am so dang proud of who MY girl has become.

and i'm writing it down today for future reference...for one of those days where i doubt myself as a mama.

thanks, Allie.

you have no idea how happy you make me.

and i'm more proud of you than you could ever understand.

xoxo