Hayley Anna Campbell

Hayley on her first day of Kindergarten

Hayley on her last day. (Yes I know...I sent her to school in a dirty shirt. Oops.)

so today was my big girl's last day of Kindergarten. And yes.....ok....so I admit....it was harder on me then her first day was. Next year she will be gone full time and I will only have her on weekends. To most people this is a treat! To me it is sad. I will miss her, and more so, her sisters will miss her!!!!! They spend far more time outside when Hayley is around. Hayley is the one full of imagination. They say you only get 5 years to instill as much in them as you can and then they are out in the real world of peer pressure. I found some piano music the other day to a song called "a Mother's Prayer" and it says:

I pray you'll be my eyes

And watch her where she goes

And help her to be wise

Help me to let go

So there is my wish for my little girls as they go off to school.

This is in fact week of the ode to Hayley. Hayley is your typical first born personality. The dominent one, the perfectionist, the protector. She can be so shy and so outgoing all at the same time. Her sisters rely on her more than they will ever admit. They want her to lead the games etc...as long as she lets them win (which she does. As soon as they cry she gives them whatever they want to stop the crying.) She is such a perfectionist, that I have learned that you never pressure Hayley into doing ANYTHING! She will get there in her own time. Trying to teach her letters was so frustrating for both of us that finally I let it go and guess what??? She learned it just fine all by herself. I had to learn that she would ask when she needed help and if I said "No that's wrong" then there were tears and stress. Ahh.....the things our firstborns teach us about parenting. (Then the second comes along and we think we have it mastered only to find out we've been given a completely different child the second time around!!!)

I love my time with Hayley. She is so insightful and so we are starting to be able to have these little 'adult' conversations. Hayley has ALWAYS been our spiritual child. She loves to have the bible read to her (especially about Jesus death) and to sing the hymns. She told me the other day not to worry, that she would never dye her hair, because she 'wants her own special and unique color'. :)

Our firstborn refuses to have you see her cry. Frustrating sometimes when a few tears would make it seem that the spank had at least SOME effect, but alas she will run off to 'pee' and cry in the bathroom! It's a good thing there aren't many spanking anymore.

I can't believe that 6 years has gone by so fast. I remember the day she was born with such clarity and all the little "first time mom" mistakes we made with her. But I think, and I may be biased, that she is turning into a really wonderful little lady and I love her very much. She's my favorite oldest daughter. *heehee*

Other news....my friend Charlene and I went out for supper last night. We met at 5, had supper, went to wander around Chapters for a bit, then she drove me back to where I had left my van, and when I finally said "I guess I should get home", it was 11:00!!!!!! Steve is blown away that I could have a conversation with one person for 6 hours! And the thing was....we never ran out of things to say!! We only get together about once a month and I love it. She is so easy to visit with, and I love that she is such a positive person in spite of her situation, and she never gossips. Seriously!!! Of course we talk about what different people are up to etc, but she never has anything bad to say about anyone. She has 4 little boys around our girls' age so we understand the "single gender" feelings I guess. Now Rachel Falb, if you would just move here, our suppers out would be complete!!!

Steve has never understood why I take the kitchen mugs in the van for my tea when we go out somewhere. Well....there is just something about a mug that tastes better than a travel cup. So at Chapters the other day I found this:

Isn't it perfect? I have used it for all 6 cups of tea today.

Convention starts on Wednesday and I just can't wait. I decided that today would be my get ready day, and tomorrow would be my play with the kids day. So tomorrow we will go to the splash park or the playground.

Today I cleaned the house from top to almost bottom (not the storage basement). I ever re-glossed the slate!! Steve took our tent and his boss' trailer out to convention tonight so that's one less thing to worry.

Well I am exhausted so I am going to go lay in the tub.

I love you all

Steve, Jen and our 4 little blessings.