Ocali Days

Katherine's Kindergarten class went on their first field trip of the year and I got to go.  The boys spent time with Bamah and Papa and I got to spend the day with our little girl who is growing so fast and beautifully.

Marion County has an event each year called Ocali Country Days.  It's a chance to experience old time music, storytellers and historical re-enactors portraying life on a late 1800's Marion County farmstead.  Mrs. H's Kindergarten class has been learning about Florida history so this was perfect.

I believe Katherine's favorite part would be buying her rock necklace or even her rock candy, but my favorite part wasn't tangible.  Anna, a classmate, rode with us.  She and Katherine chatted, giggled and showed Valley-girl tendencies for the 20 minute ride there.  I loved listening to them.  There were many times I could have interjected something Mom-like, but it was more interesting to hear how the conversation morphed.  I don't know how it happens, but 2 little girls will almost always find a way to be dramatic.  Shocker, I know.  It didn't matter if they were commenting on a benign cloud in the sky or the boring grey color of a nearby car, they found a way to dramatize it with their speech, eyes, head-tilting, neck rolling and voice inflection.

I loved watching Katherine interact with the other kids.  She's still reserved and doesn't go out of her way to expose her heart or feelings, but there are traces of independence and confidence creeping into her actions.

Here they are grinding sugar cane into a liquid.  Jim grew that sugar cane.

She's made some friends.  She is, by far, the shyest kid in class, but even the gregarious children are including her and asking for her to participate, which she does willingly.

I love that she still wants me to hold her hand in unfamiliar places.  And I don't initiate letting go, I'll let her do that.  I still enjoy holding her sweet, soft little hand in mine.

She was so careful to stay next to me the entire time.  I am still more of a safety net than the soon-to-be ball and chain that insists on coming along.

She's progressing quite well in school academically and socially.  She's eager to practice her reading and still enjoys going.  Although, during this Thanksgiving break she has commented on how much she enjoys staying at home.

All in all, it was a nice, low-key trip that gave me invaluable, precious one-on-one time to spend with my little growing girl.