Margot’s 8th: PersonalitY+ and Kitties

Margot’s streak of independence continued through the age of seven and I am sure it will soldier on into eighth grade. Swimming still shows to be her strongest passion. Anything involving water, peaks her interest. Skipping right to our summer trip to McCall, this little water bug was completely in content being on the lake. Don’t get me wrong, she loves the beach and hot tub that comes along with it. But the calmness of the lake was a different world. As always she was the first to jump off the boat. 

Lake life agreed with Margot but then again so does the beach life. We returned to swim lessons last Fall and were set to get back in the pool in Spring of this year. Then COVID hit! Out of the three kids, I think Margot was the most effected by not seeing her friends. Academically she adjusted to working at home pretty quick like her brother. 

By May we started to loosen the locks on the house and the kids started doing one-on-one playdates in the front yard with close friends. Margot was the first to do it and while she was elated before, during and after play date, I was a mess. Looking back to First grade last year, Margot did have a period where she struggled with girl drama. In Kinder she got a good dose of the alpha friend. Moving into her second half of first grade, that resurfaced again and then some. The truth about first grade is, girls start early with the drama. Saying things that hurt and testing friend ship boundaries, or simply moving on with no regard to time spent. This problem really does effect all girls in first grade. Paley went through it herself. 

Margot’s trek through the holidays was extra special last year when both Grandma’s got to enjoy her dancing and acting. Margot’s flare for the dramatic has risen greatly and I suspect it will blossom more as she get older. Sadly with quarantine, participating in acting programs have been slim. I did try to entice her to join a radio play that was running through the Starting Arts organization, but I failed. Her older sister was more keen.

Two of her new favorite things, manifested this year. Her love of roller blading and Minecraft. I think her older sister had been playing Minecraft for at least four years now. It’s interesting all of a sudden she found it interesting. Two years ago she had asked for roller skates for her birthday and wore the about a dozen times. Then on a play date at a friends house, she fell in love with her roller blades and honestly, she took to them so quickly. She’s 10 times better than the roller skates she got two years ago. Then there are kitties. I am not sure what happened but 7 she became obsessed with kitties!

Looking ahead, Margot will continue to shine with school and friends. Going to back in-person school will make her soar like an eagle.  I fear so much for these kids when all of the darkness begins to rise. So many kids, even including our three have been effected by this whole change. When professionals comment on the news that our children will be battling PTSD to some degree is real. The only thing in their favor is their ages, the younger they are, the stronger their ability to bounce back. The worry now is for the older adolescent generation. 

Margot’s eagerness to grow and learn is great and I really look forward to seeing her blossom as she heads toward the later grade in elementary. That said, she will certainly present some memorable hurdles to come in the teen years. What is amazing, and I think will be Margot’s saving grace is the relationship she has with her brother. His ability to see and understand the rules, seems to curb her desire to break the rule. Don’t get me wrong. She will break the rules, but we are hoping her close connection with her brother will help dampen those bad decisions. I hope 8 brings her more joy and less time at home for her and her siblings. And my husband! LOL