Saving

At the beginning of the year, Little Bear discovered American Girl Dolls. “I WANT ONE!” She declared to me, over and over and over. I told her, SURE! You may have one, but you need to save up the money for it. I thought that would be the end of it, but not so! She got an empty juice container, and decorated it. That container has lived on my counter all year. Each week when we gave Little Bear her allowance, she would pay her tithing, put part of her money into long term savings, and then she was free to use the remaining money for whatever she wanted.

I have to say I was quite pleased to see her add her spending money to her Doll Savings. To get her closer to her savings goal faster Little Bear started volunteering to do extra work around the house. One job that she seemed to really like doing was cleaning the car! My car was kept super clean inside, all for the low, low price of $5 a month! My point? Well a couple weeks ago, Little Bear was counting her money and SHE HAD ENOUGH! Out came the most recent catalog, and we poured over it for hours, choosing a doll, and an extra outfit. The doll has be purchased, and is on the way here! Stay tuned.

Choice Made

The choice is made; the die has been cast, as they say. We have made our decision regarding schooling Little Bear for the upcoming school year. It will be at home. Papa Bear and I have been agonizing over this choice since October. Since the 5th week of the school year, the thought of homeschooling has been on my mind. I very nearly pulled Little Bear out of school that 5th week, I thought about it in November, and then again in March. This has been a long process, weighing the pros, the cons, and the stigma. We made a list of every benefit to leaving her in public school, weighed against being at home, alone. We talked at length of what was more important at this stage of her life, socialization, social skills, or self-esteem.

What it came down to, for us, was no child’s self esteem is worth waiting for the school to make a decision. Little Bear's self esteem is not worth waiting for other parents to take notice of their child’s hurtful behavior. She is our responsibility, and this is how we have chosen to take action. We did not step on this path blindly, or without thought. We do not go into this thinking it will be the easier choice, or the easier way. It is going to be a difficult road, with the majority of the work falling to me, I am fine with that. I am looking forward to it. What we hope to gain form choosing this more difficult journey is a lengthy list of attributes Little Bear is going to need to live in this world, and be happy.

Triumph!

Little Bear has been taking piano lessons since the start of the school year. She is doing very well, so well in fact, she has already finished the lesson book! She has moved on to the Level 1 book now, early! The last song in the beginner book was a doozy! I thought it was quite tricky for a primer level, but the instructor insisted she learn it. (I have a photo of it below) 


So, with the songs assigned from the new book, we worked on this song, for 3 weeks! There were many moments of "I hate this song!" And stomping away in frustration. I am pleased to announce that Little Bear persevered and has now passed off the song! 

I took a video of Little Bear playing the song, to hopefully remind her that she can do hard things, and succeed! 

GOOD JOB! Little Bear!