This Reminds Me

Breathing the Baltic Sea breezes must have worked some magic on Julia over the years.  We noticed her fasincation with water in St. Pete.  We had to stop at every fountain, jump in every puddle, fill every tub, splash in every sink.

But she’s a Texan now, and a Texas summer means swimming.  Today she had her second visit to our friend Vicki’s zero-edge pool overlooking nearby tree tops.

“One-a, two-a, three-a!”  Rachel’s friend Sisa repeatedly threw Julia into the pool, with Hannah and Rachel waiting to help her to the surface.  She holds her breath under water – impressive!  There are swim lessons in Julia’s future.

What’s better than a big hug after a big splash?  At the 10% mark for a six-year-old’s height and weight, Julia is small enough that 10-year-old Hannah can carry her.  We had good visits to the doctor and dentist yesterday.  Julia’s now current on all her innoculations, and she’s registered to begin ESL kindergarten at Stone Oak Elementary in the fall, where Hannah will be a fifth grader.  Hannah, BTW, has taught her to count to 10.

We’re thinking inflatable dolphin riding should be an Olympic sport.  Especially when your older sisters and their friends are willing to help you ride ‘em, cowgirl!  Rachel is almost nine years older than Julia.  My sister Judy is 11 years older than am I.  A decade’s difference is a terrific age split.  I learned to read in Judy’s lap.  I learned to write in Judy’s University of Houston notebooks.  David and I lived to torment her, yet she didn’t drop us at a homeless shelter.  The adoration of an older sister is a wonderful thing.

Julia and I have spent (too much) time in the machina (car) the last few days, hitting all the necessary appointments, as well as attending end-of-school events with her sisters.  Today she, my friend Shelley and I cheered as Lois received Academic Achievement awards in English and Science at Bush Middle School.   (Keith’s joking comment?  “What?  Aren’t there other subjects, too?”)  We were notified this week that Lois also scored 100′s on her two TAKS tests (reading and math).

Lois wants to study to become an attorney.  We are hoping she will gravitate toward honest work instead.

Guess what?  The neighborhood pool opens this weekend.  The girls and I practically live there in the summer.  The sound of spandex and flesh slapping chlorinated water?  Ahhhh!  That is magic.