More Mom Stuff

As you can see, I've been scrapping some lately. I think I used Traci's layered sketches on all of those. Please, take all thinking out of it for me! Let me plop my photos on, pick the kits I want to use - plop the pieces on, crop, merge layers and go. :) Right now, that's what I need in my life. Easy, don't have to over-think it, scrapping. All of the layouts will eventually be in my gallery at DST if you want to see credits.

Today we went to the birthday party of a preschool friend. Elizabeth played alone. I watched her on the jungle gym - Mary Ruth, Claire, Ruby, Owen, Irene, Jack, Jonathan, Kylee - they all played together, they chased one another, held hands (the girls did), talked back and forth. Not Elizabeth - she was near them but not with them. They called all the members of our party to sit on the blue bench against the wall - she sat on the very end. We went into the gym and again - solo play. She hung on the fringe watching them on the trampoline and I could tell she wanted to get on but something held her back. They played Duck, Duck, Goose. She sat upright and, again, I could tell - she wanted to be the "Goose" but no one chose her before the game was over and we headed to the party room for cake. She sat at the end of the head table - too shy to sit right next to the birthday party girl but wanting to be near her. I know she's shy and I know what she needs is a friend who will pursue her - draw her out. But it hurts me for her. I wonder how often she's left out because she isn't bold enough to step forward and say, "I'd like to do that" or "Can I play with you?" I know she loves to play *with* other children because she and Katherine play together all the time. And on days at school when she does something with another child, she gets into the car beaming - "I did XYZ with [child's name]" One day it was "I sat with Mary Ruth." One day it was "I played Rescue Rangers with Owen. I was the red truck." One day she did something with Jack and she said, "Mommy, I like Jack [last name]"

I just hope that as she gets older she'll either gain a little more boldness to step forward or she'll have a sweet friend who will draw her out. And maybe, just maybe, some day my life will slow down enough that I can plan one-on-one playdates for her and other little girls. I know I shouldn't care that other children might not like my child -- but that worries me. While I do want her sisters to be her "best friends," I also want her to have friends in her peer group.

Ah, Princess Bride...off to watch! Farm boy, fetch me that pitcher!