Our Family: Lacey Hits Double Digits

Today is Lacey's 10th birthday. The past year has been full of many adventures because Lacey meets each day with happiness and enthusiasm. She can turn every situation into fun.

Eating Pizza

Look what happened when I asked Lacey to help me clean the bird's cage!

Lacey wants to be the first one finished, no matter what activity she's completing. She wants to be the first one finished with her school work and the first one to make it from the car to the house. If there's a door, she needs to be the first one through. If there's a staircase, she needs to be the first one up or down. An elevator? She needs to be the first to push the buttons. Last Saturday she was in a ballet recital. Of course, she wanted to be the first one finished with the dance. Who needs to follow the music?

Lacey getting ready for her recital

Lacey is not afraid to try anything. Here are a couple snapshots. In the first, she's wearing a suit of armor at Jamestown. In the second, she's discovering that snow angels are best made on your back, not face down.

We spend a lot of time trying to get Lacey to slow down and appreciate process, not just product. We read together, encourage her to observe, and question her about everything and anything. We try to help her apply what she's learning to new situations. Lacey is always quirky and funny and unpredictable. Here's an example of a typical day. On the way to school we passed a family walking a gorgeous poodle. Trying to make conversation I said, "Wow. Look at that beautiful poodle. Do you think it's a boy or a girl?"

"What do you mean?" laughed Lacey. "All poodles are girls."

"Are you sure?" I prompted. "What would happen if all poodles were girls."

"Nothing. They're already all girls."

I tried another approach. "What would happen if there were only girls in the world?"

"I don't know," responded Lacey.

"Well," I sighed. "What would happen if there were only men in the world?"

"Whoa!" Lacey shrieked. "It would be creepy and disgusting!"

"I see your point," I laughed. "But, seriously, what would happen if there were only men?"

"I guess there would be no more babies," she finally responded.

"You're right," I praised. "Now, are all poodles really girls?"

"Maybe," Lacey said.

She must have thought about the topic some more because at dinnertime she decided to try her new knowledge on Cassie. "I wonder if Cassie's ever going to have children?" she queried.

"I'm going to adopt," Cassie answered.

"Then you're going to have to renew your passport!" Lacey said.

As Lacey continues learning how to be part of a family, she spends a lot of time trying to keep up with Cassie. The results are always funny. When Lacey's class put on a play of "The Three Little Pigs," she played the part of the wolf. For her costume, she chose to wear one of Cassie's PE shirts.

Lacey knows that Greek history is one of Cassie's favorite subjects. So, after spending some time reading about the ancient Greeks, she was ready to impress Cassie. "Cassie," she said, "If we were living in ancient Greece, you'd be getting married now."

"Yes," replied Cassie. "And, if we were living with the Native Americans, you'd be running around naked right now."

Lacey has made a lot of progress in school. After several years of watching Cassie get academic awards, Lacey got her own. She received awards for making the Principal's Honor Roll and for attendance. She also graduated from the English as a Second Language Program. I pointed out to her that this was something Cassie will never be able to do!