Caring & Sharing

Kelsey and her Brownie troop are working on the Caring & Sharing Try-It.  It is a fairly easy badge to earn during the meetings and has been a good way for the group get to know each other a little better.  I would say that it has helped them to become more sister-like (in the spirit of Girl Scouts), but frankly, it is one of the most cohesive troops I have ever seen (should add, not so many). 

The girls are already friends with each other and rarely bicker or argue.  They all seem to get along and respect each other.  Whether or not they respect us is a different story.  However, given that they are all seven, I would be shocked if they didn't test the waters now and again.  

This week, as part of the Try-It, each girl was to bring a treat for another girl.  Sounds like Secret Santa, but called Secret Pal (sooo different, right?) and was not supposed to involve anyone buying anything.  Items could be made, pictures could be drawn, cards could be written, but nothing was to be purchased unless it was a part of the craft.  I matched up the girls, and kept a master list of names to prevent confusion (and last-minute, "I lost my pa-pa-pa-per and can't remember whose name I received!").
 

Kelsey found out she had (kind of) picked Jenny.  She wasn't really sure what to do, and we figured a card on my nice card stock should do the trick.  She had enough room to write a thoughtful note on one side and draw a picture on the other.  The front was a blank slate for her to attack with several sheets of stickers.

She wrote the letter, and I was a bit taken aback.  Basically, as it touched on her moving, but, nothing really about her friend.  I commented that perhaps she could add in a few lines, about, say, Jenny . Naturally, she was a bit offended.  Not that I was upset by the letter, but thought perhaps it needed beefing up.  She cooled down and later added a few thoughts about Jenny.

Now I know some might say, "Wait, you are moving?"  Well, yes, we are.  Do we know where? Not exactly.  Do we know when?  Um, see previous answer.   It's the joy of this lifestyle! 

Another joy is deciding how and when to tell the kids.  We have decided the best way is to simply be honest.  Apparently, so do they.  We don't say we are moving anywhere forever.  They know plenty of children who are not part of Foreign Service families, yet move frequently anyway.   Knowing about the move in advance also gives them a chance to help pick where we go next (as if we have a huge choice), and time to adjust to the situation.

I really shouldn't have been surprised by the card.  She is quite matter-of-fact in her manner and simply telling her friend she is leaving, perhaps to indicate that she knows their time together is short, but valuable.  A bit early, perhaps, but there really isn't sadness, it's just, "see ya later"! In fact, she has done it with other friends, and neither Kelsey nor the friend thinks it is strange that she is so blase.  One friend simply told her she had to stay until her birthday party in July, and another has already invited Kelsey to her wedding.  Kelsey naturally reciprocated.  There goes the small family party in the backyard! I can hear it now, "No, no….$250 a head!"