That girl.  Not only did she get into Cal Poly SLO, UCSB, UC Davis, Northeastern, American University with a $12K scholarship, she got into her absolute favorite school:  George Washington with a $20K scholarship AND into the super prestigious Elliott School of International Affairs.  I am crying.  Because not only has she worked her butt off for all of high school, and is such a fantastic person-she had such a tough childhood socially and with her motor skills.  She had to have occupational therapy for years.  She had such a rough go in  elementary school and at Mt View with the whole social scene.  She was not one of those giggly, girly-girls.  She was just different, an old soul-and she was bullied.  And she has absolutely blossomed since we moved here, since she went to SDA.  She deserves every bit of wonderful that comes her way! And now: she is about to take off on this amazing adventure.  I cannot even fathom all the stuff she will see and do, and all the interesting people she will meet.  I am in fucking AWE of her.   Proud doesn't even come close to describing what I feel for her.  She is going to go off and do wonderful things.  I just had to have faith in her and in the universe.  I need to remember that when I'm frustrated with the boys or worried about them.  It will all end up the way it's meant to.

If I could back in time, to when she was 4 or when she was in 6th grade-what would I say to myself?  She is going to do amazing things.  She is a beautiful, funny, smart, hard working person.  She will be happy and have friends and be going places you cannot fathom.  She's moving so far beyond all of this.  Relax.  Just enjoy her.  Make her feel good about herself.  Focus on her strengths and interests.  Don't worry about the rest.

When I was at G's conference all I could think most of the time is that this is total bs.  We will continue to read together, and he can read alone when he feels like it (or maybe I will mandate reading times for everybody).  He's doing just fine.  I don't care what "level" he's at.  He's a very fluid reader and reads with expression.  If he can retell the story he's doing fine.  He may not pick up on every nuance but whatever.  I don't care.  I never test him on spelling-I think first grade spelling is ridiculous.  And the common core math is absurd.  I'm just going to smile and tell him he's awesome. Done.  Whatever.  E learned completely different things and different ways in elementary school.  And she's brilliant and hard working and fine.  I am not going to get hung up on what they say.  I was much more thrilled to hear that he's happy and loves being there.  That's all I care about.   The rest they figure out.  That is one of the biggest blessings of being an older mom and having older kids.