state float parade

this was our first year participating in the school’s state float parade. each child was to make a ‘float’ out of natural materials that represented the state they were assigned. not an easy task for a 10 year old. especially when you don’t have skills in architecture or design. but i let kira go with the flow, do what she wanted, because in the end- it’s her project, right?! i was very proud of her. she pulled it off. and then i saw all the other floats. and i was seriously taken aback. ok, built in caves? swaying whales hanging from the ceiling? life size beavers made out of pine cones? an entire town made out of beans?! i am not saying they were not beautiful. they were beautiful. they looked like miniature versions of the Rose Parade! (and yes, the rose parade judges were there at our school judging! as well as the rose court! this was big guys!) but they did not look like they made them completely on their own. and that’s the thing- how much do you help your child? i helped kira as far as breaking the sticks to spell out tennessee. she made everything else. davy crockett, the log cabin, the guitar, etc. and you can tell. 🙂 you know i wanted to take over and construct the Grand Ole Opry and Elvis, but i did not. 🙂 anyways, i know either way you look at it, if you particiapated and showed some effort, you will get a good grade. but in the end, who’s grade is it- the parent or the child? part of me couldn’t help but wished i took over a little. that’s just natural. you want people to oooh and aaaah over your child’s things. there has got to be a balance. i get so stressed out over these kind of projects. i told chris that he is now in charge… and that he had better get thinking now that we will have 3 more kids to go through the system. 🙂