Unexpected Time

I went to sit in at my oldest daughter's Chinese class today, and I am really glad that I did, because it turned out that the class was cancelled, and my first grader would have been sitting there all alone.  The instructor had sent an email in the middle of the night, but I had not seen it.

I was glad to get the time with her.  My mom was babysitting the two little ones, so it was just the two of us together.  We sat at the bench at her school, and she snacked on a strawberry left over from her lunch and read to me the supplemental book that her teacher had given me -- read me all 72 pages.  Now granted, it was a simple book, but a lot more complicated than the copied handouts they use for the basic books, and she read with fluency and expression.  The "cool" 1st grade teacher walked by while she was reading and heard her, and walked by again when she went to the restroom and I got to tell him that she finished the whole book.  I felt really proud of her.  I know it shouldn't just be about accomplishments, but still..

I am still having trouble with the idea of too many extra curricular activities.  Daisies is supposed to start tomorrow, and I just really don't want to get involved.  For one thing it starts 50 minutes after school, and the meeting is only 45 minutes to an hour, so that means that they are waiting (and playing, but still) as long as the meeting itself...and there is that much less family time.  Is it OK to say no to things that she wants to do and are supposed to be good for her socially?  Can just school be enough for now?  The miscommunication with Chinese class made me question that too.

Daisies is a built-in-playdate for her, I know...it is only every other week...but it is also a night that I want to leave early so I can sing and get home at a reasonable time.  Am I allowed to want that?

Now I better go to sleep...