Cap and Gown

Today was graduation day.

From the time she brought them home, Kimmie didn't really want to have anything to do with her cap and gown.

As I took her to line up, I carried them, planning to put them on her when we arrived. I thought that seeing her classmates in theirs would make her want to wear hers. Well, that wasn't the case. I put it on her and zipped it up. She unzipped it. I zipped it. She unzipped it. Then they appeared with the stoll(?). (The collar thing they wear with the school crest.) We popped that over her head. Off it came followed by unzipping the gown. After several attempts we were finally able to distract her with the gown zipped and the stoll on.

The hat was another story. I guess they are one size fits all except Kimmie. It was so big there was no way it would stay on even if she wanted it to.

Kimmie did wonderful during the ceremony, but as soon as they paraded out she wanted everything off. The stoll, the gown . . . and, by the way, where is Bethany! Bethany was there to watch her, but Kimmie is still mad at Bethany.

When we found her after the ceremony, Kimmie was mad, but once we arrived she decided to be a little fashion queen. She wanted the gown back on and sort of cooperated for some pictures.

She must have decided that she should wear that gown to make sure everyone knew she graduated. She wore it to lunch. She wore it to Bethany's graduation, and she didn't take it off until we were back home again. I guess she wanted to make sure everyone at Bethany's graduation knew that she graduated, too.

We were just fine with that cause she sure was cute. And she was good through Bethany's whole ceremony. No one had to take her out and miss anything.

Great day!

--Mom

Watching Kimmie

People often comment that they like to sit where they can see Kimmie. Usually this is at church. People often find her fascinating to watch as she signs, rocks and fiddles with her shoestrings.

When we take Kimmie places I am the one who sits with her assisting and keeping her occupied. The other day I had the opportunity to switch places.

We went to Kimmie's high school senior class awards program, and I was able to hand her off to a classroom assistant who helped her through the program. She was sitting on the front row where we had a good view of her.

It was nice to be on the other side and be the one watching Kimmie.

And best of all she was really good through the entire program. I only saw her sign "Bethany gone" once, and it was right before her name was called to receive an award. Great way to distract her from Bethany!

--Mom

(She received three awards.)

Mad at Bethany

Kimmie is mad at Bethany. And has been for several days.

Kimmie is mad that Bethany has a job.

Kimmie is mad that Bethany goes places with friends.

Kimmie is mad that Bethany participated in Youth Sunday at church.

Kimmie is mad that Bethany went to prom.

Kimmie is mad at Bethany.

It is a complicated situation.

Some of it is jealousy.

Kimmie doesn't want to do these things,
but she doesn't want Bethany to do them either.

Seeing Bethany doing these things is a reminder of what she cannot do,
but yet some of this she could do but chooses not to.

The gap between what Bethany can do and what Kimmie can do is exteme.

Some of it is simply personality differences, Kimmie being somewhat shy while Bethany is anything but shy.

It's complicated.

--Mom

Change

Life is changing fast at our house and for someone who doesn't deal with change or transition very well . . . . well, life is pretty tough right now.

Graduation. Does Kimmie even know what that means? I have been trying to put it in perspective by referring to her being finished with school. No more school. No more getting up at 6:00 am and climbing on a bus at 6:30. We thought she'd be happy to be finished, but school is what she knows. School is familiar, so maybe not.

And Beyond Graduation. Maybe she's worried about what happens next. We have tried to explain it to her. Two days a week at home with Mom, and three days a week at Apple Patch. She has gone to Apple Patch the last two summers. Home and Apple Patch are both familiar to her. We thought that would be an easy transition since she knows both.

And What About Sister. This appears to be the most distressing change. Bethany has a job now, so she is gone more. Bethany has a car now, so she comes and goes more freely (which also means she's gone more). Bethany will be going to college in the fall. I'm sure Kimmie has heard us talk about college, and I'm also sure she doesn't know what that means. In that uncertainty probably lies some anxiety, reflected in the constant worry about where Bethany is.

Attempting to comfort her, calm her, assure her and reassure her has become a daily event along with the heartache of seeing her in so much distress.

Hopefully when we get through the graduations, and days become more routine, some of the stress and distress will ease. Hopefully.

--Mom