Social Conventions

There is a big debate brewing at our house:  What to call the parents?  Both kids have always called us Mommy and Daddy.  In the last year or so I have wondered when they might switch over to Mom and Dad and I have even encouraged Katey to make the change as it feels a little strange to have a now 6th grader call me Mommy.  She has stood firm.  Seth, however, came home last week and declared that he would now call us Mom and Dad.  He's about 50% there in remembering to do so.

This got me thinking about social conventions and how we do things rather strangely in the US sometimes.  How bizarre that it is commonplace to teach a child to call you one thing (Mommy) then switch that around when they hit a certain age (Mom) - and have it be looked down upon if you don't.  Now, I don't know if others are judging my family when they hear Katey say mommy, but it feels uncomfortable to me knowing they might.

So, the great debate continues around here.  Seth is trying hard to make the switch and Katey happily adds, "E" to the end when Seth stops at Mom or Dad.  If I refer to myself as Mom we can also hear Katey say "E!" if she is within earshot.  (She has even gone so far as to correct me in writing.  I will sometimes jot notes to the kids on their napkins at lunch.  When I sign it "Mom" Katey will return it to me with MY added to the end!)

I am curious to see where we land in the coming weeks but if I were to place a bet it would be that we will soon be called both Mommy/Mom and Daddy/Dad, depending on which child is addressing us. 

Another Great Year

Summer break is here!  I'm not sure who is more excited, the kids or me!

We had a nice end to the school year with lots of fun events/parties.  Katey got to attend the 5th grade dance, then there was field day (for both kids), the 5th grade graduation and classroom parties. 

The dance was a lot of fun to chaperone.  It was great to see the kids run around with an air of, "we own this place"!!  As was expected, Katey had a very fun time but didn't really interact with her classmates much.  She really does march to her own beat and seems to truly enjoy life and not really care too much what other people think.

Our beautiful dancer!

Katey is all the way on the right.  She is dancing, just far away from the group!

Graduation was a nice event yesterday.  The kids were so proud to walk across the stage to get their certificates.  Katey said she was a little nervous because her class went first and, since they did things alphabetically, she was the very first student to be called up.  She did beautifully and is now officially a 6th grader!!

Finally, there were classroom parties.  It is always a little bittersweet to see the end of the school year arrive.  Katey and Seth both had fantastic teachers and it is hard to say goodbye to them (for me, too!).  Katey's class made 5th grade memory books and signed each others' yearbooks.  Seth's class had an ice cream sundae party and signed beach balls.  I believe today was taken up with cleaning out desks and watching movies.  What fun!

With Mrs. Carbone

With Mrs. Holder

With Ms. Crook

With Mrs. Haynes and Ryan

With Mrs. Toy

This year has flown by!  Here are pictures for comparison sake.  Wow, have these kids grown and changed this year!!

August, 2011

June, 2012

August, 2011

June, 2012 - I do feel the need to point out that Seth is wearing pj pants because today was pajama day!