My Bold Second Grader

She told me the other day "I guess I'm all grown up now, mom." And I told her she'd better not be!

Lauren starts second grade today! It’s crazy for me to imagine that. Where did the time go? It seems like it was only a few weeks ago that she was taking her first steps! I want to worry for her, but I know she’ll be fine. Lauren is a tough girl, and she can take care of herself. I don’t know how much of that comes from the way I’ve raised her versus who she naturally is as a person, but she won’t let anyone bully her. She’s not afraid to get dirty or run with the boys.

Such a little tomboy, my Lauren.

You wouldn’t really imagine that by looking at her. She’s tiny for her age, loves skirts, and her favorite way for me to style her hair is in pigtails with little bows on the sides.

And yet, she loves sports--especially baseball! That little girl loves to sit in her Dad’s lap and watch baseball on TV. She started playing with the softball team in the spring. It doesn’t matter that the other kids seem to tower over her on the field, she stands at second base, ready to pounce on any ball that comes her way. She really is so tough and outgoing.

I’m at the school a lot, and Lauren always has friends around. She didn’t cry when she left me for her first day of school--she was excited to try out a new adventure. She loves school, but she also loves the weekend with its sleepovers and sports tournaments.

I want to take credit for what an amazing little girl she’s turned out to be, and maybe I do deserve part of the credit, but part of it also goes to Trevor. We make a good team; and together, we’ve raised such a great kid.