Smart As A First Grader?

Climbed the split-rail fence in the back yard this morning, to weed-whip the open area' on the hillside. While doing so, thoughts of this past week played through my mind. Was interesting to re-think and assess.

First of all, had attended Grandparents Day for our 4 year and 7 year old.

WELL, wasn't the breeze expected. While waiting for classes to begin, they had a nice spread for breakfast~ where we grandparents could mingle.
My husband was out of town, therefore, I was on my own here. Finally found Diane and Joe ~ we each took one grandchild to visit so both would have a family member in each class.

I selected the 7 year old first grade math class to attend. I assumed I would sit with the other grandparents at the back of the room and observe. Wouldn't you?
NO WAY!
The teacher had us sit in a chair next to our grandchild and DO THEIR MATH.

I thought back to just how long ago I helped with first grade math...Adding up the years, I then I realized just how I came to be this age.
Been a LOOOONG TIME.
WHAT IF I COULDN'T DO IT? I never learned 'new math' much less whatever this was in front of me. I became STRESSED. WHAT IF I COULDN'T do it???
How horrible it would be to fail in front of my granddaughter,
who thinks I know everything in this world.
Now...was about to be exposed, I feared.

There I sat with two degrees and stressed out at the thought of first grade math!!!
I did see the humor in this feeling, but that didn't lessen the terror I felt. That was REAL.
Here we are...Twelve Popsicle sticks arranged in the shape of a window with 4 panes.
My stress level shot up. (Isn't that hysterical...afraid of what I might be asked to figure out or to do with 12 little Popsicle sticks...FIRST GRADE, of all things. lol)
Here we go...
First problem: Remove only 4 of the sticks to leave 2 independent squares. Actually, this on turned out to be easy...but then they got harder. All the little kids were whipping the sticks around and solving the problems...while we grandparents were saying "WHAT??"
(smile)
Actually, the teacher gave me a star for my work. lol

A few days later attended
International Night at the other grand children's School...in fact, had to take them as parents were out of on a cruise. (Why am I not on a cruise???...Isn't it grandparents who do cruises? This was backward, right?)

I got us there on time, found a parking place and the auditorium which was packed.

The families from other countries were dressed in their traditional dress of their country which was almost everyone but me. (I am a DAR) In fact, there were only a few descendants from Northern European countries.

The program began...and they wanted to recognize grandparents...only 2 of us stood. A woman in Norwegian Dress and I were the only 2 grandparents there in all those people. Actually, this made me proud.

My 6 year old grandson stood with his class and "Pledged the Allegiance to the Flag" in Spanish. This is nothing like my school days.

In the hallways were booths of art, items and foods from probably every major country in the world. VERY IMPRESSIVE to say the least. We definitely live in an International area, being so near Washington, D. C. Very interesting but too crowded...am so proud of the children as they have learned how to stay right with me in a crowded situation. We made our way to the door after a brief tour. Home for a bath and bed for them.

Today, I enjoyed reflecting on my experiences with the little ones and seeing the world in which they are living. I gained a great deal of respect for their world...
and at the same time, felt so happy that I lived in the world I knew as a child.
Mine was much more simple.

Soon, the hillside was cleared....a friend who was golfing pulled over his cart to chat...he comments about my leaving a thriving stand of blackberry bushes which just started last year. He jumped the fence to put up my birdhouse and we staked my grape vine...which had washed down the hill...but thriving. Golfers are always ready to help. So this was my life today. June