FIRST IMPRESSIONS ON THE FIRST...

my FIRST IMPRESSION of FIRST WRITINGS...

it doesn't seem that long ago when we brought home this dark-haired, chubby-cheeked baby home to  our second floor apartment. while evan went to class, adelaide and i moved between the living room and bedroom, spending our days getting to know one another. i took each step meticulously as i carried her up and down the stairs of our building to go on an adventure (a walk to the mailbox) together. i listened carefully to her cries longing for the day i would know what each one meant, as others assured me i'd learn to do. through it all i knew the day was getting closer when she would be six weeks old, and i would return to spending these days with my classroom full of kindergarteners. 

i remember that first day back at work. i blinked back the tears as i missed my girl while making the drive to school early that morning. and then as my students began walking through the classroom door i was momentarily distracted by each of their faces i had missed. the bodies that filled my classroom had once seemed so small next to the lines of other elementary classes. but now they seemed like giants in comparison to the twelve pounder i had at home. 

i was in awe that each of my five and six-year-olds had once started out small and unknowing like my baby at home. that there had been a time they simply ate, cried, and slept. and now they revolted against falling asleep during rest time, ate cheetos, and could actually tell me what made them cry.

thanks to a wonderful long-term substitute i came back to a classroom full of writers. kids that could not only write their name but even some complete sentences and stories. it was such a fun thing to watch. even though i had witnessed it with each class the previous four years too, it all took on an extra measure of delightfulness now. it is pretty incredible what all can be discovered in five years of life.

i finished teaching that school year, then have been able to stay home since. and now here i am in awe all over again as my own small, unknowing child has turned into one of those five-year-old who can write. it began with her name. next she was writing other letters as she asked us how to spell something. and now she has entered my favorite stage where she attempts to read and write anything and everything. i recall what those feelings myself. what it's like when i discovered how to read and write. the world appears differently almost overnight as you suddenly get to take in each written detail around you.

a few things she has written i've captured with the camera,

and of course there are many, many more in my mind too.

when i asked what each sign said she read these things to me:

"Dear Mom, Happy Birthday!"
favorite birthday card i've ever received

"welcome to the Grocery Shop C-E-C-S-E-L-A"

i tried to sound this sign out and asked her how she thought to name her store "Cecsela"
only to be informed, "you say all the letters, you know, like HEB!"

"Jesus loves us for the bible tells me so.
Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me,
yes Jesus loves me the Bible tells me so."
i absolutely love this reminder that "Gesus luvs us"

"Daddy and Mommy"

clearly she applied the rule "double e always says e" on our chalkboard placemats that night

"This is for Graham from Adelaide, please like it!"
tomato, to-mah-to, like, lick

"I love you little Mae"

truer words have never been written

"Momma is cool"

obviously i love this one

"Hi! My name is Adelaide and that is a good thing."

so glad she approves of her name

"Writing is an extreme priviledge but it's also a gift.

It's a gift to yourself and it's a gift of giving a story to someone."

-amy tan