Daphne is having a difficult day. I think she has some anxiety (I wonder where she gets that from?) about turning five. I know it sounds crazy, but she puts a lot of pressure on herself. I think she is worried that things will change enormously tomorrow. Like maybe that is the day she suddenly will sprout the horrible boobs that she "never never wants." Who can tell.
She has come a long way. She can read just about anything (even my college text books) and comprehend as much as her little brain with its background knowledge that only goes back a few years will let her. She wants so much to read her little picture books, but gets bored quickly. There was one Sunday that we checked out her body weight in books and she read them all by the middle of the week. We were left with nothing to read. THE HORROR!
After that I started insisting that she read "bigger and thicker books". You know, the ones without pictures on every page and very small type. So far it has worked out because we have found some fairy books and princess books for her to read. Oh, and the guys who started the Captain Underpants series. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Last Friday I was in the car with my friend Abby (another teacher) when Daphne suddenly started to spell words. It was totally spontaneous. Abby looked at me and asked, "How long has she been doing that?" I replied with, "Just now!" I guess she has been storing up that little party trick for awhile.
Daphne also wows the crowds with her ability to count in three different languages and to add and subtract with the best of them.
What is she going to learn in Kindergarten? Who knows. She is going to be one big behavior problem. With all her smarts (she got those from her Dad) she has a temper like no other (well, maybe one other, go ahead and point that finger). So, her Dad's brains plus my personality. A combination only good for taking over a Third World Country.
We will just have to see how five works out. Maybe she will find the inner calm I have been looking for my whole life.
Oh, and I really, really love her and all that. Oh, and I think I was supposed to start this with , "FIVE YEAR AGO TODAY........".
So much for that.