What she knows

Now that Grace is 10 years old (an inflection point I’ve written about before, on the Huffington Post), I thought it was time for her to make her first appearance on this blog.  On our train ride home from a marvelous, memory-packed weekend in New York to celebrate her birthday, we talked about what she wanted to share.  I was going to try to ask her about what 10 things she knows, but that didn’t flow.  So we decided instead on some specific questions.  Answers are straight from Grace.

1. How does it feel to be 10?

I feel more mature and I feel I have more responsibility! I also feel excited for my 90 more double-digit years ahead!

2. What are your favorite books you’ve read lately?

I really enjoyed reading The Mysterious Benedict Society. And the Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Also Have a Hot Time Hades from the Myth O Mania series by Kate McMullan! And last but not least: Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder!

3. Was our New York weekend special?  What were your favorite moments?

I thought it was very special! I really liked jumping on the Big Piano at FAO Schwartz. Also riding in a horse drawn carriage was amazing. I really enjoyed our dinner at Balthazar the fries were delicious. I had a blast passing notes under my friend Caroline’s door at the place we stayed before we went to bed! I’ll remember the weekend forever!

4. I think our family has some nice traditions.  Do you think these are important?  If so, why?  And which are your favorites?

I think all of the traditions are important. I think that a tradition is something that you do and like and then do it over and over and over again! I think that the traditions we do are important because it’s something my whole family does ( or part of my family does ) that only we do alone! I also feel like part of the family. Some of my favorite traditions are: Lego Land, Story Land, decorating the Christmas tree as a family, the Fourth of July in Marion, and making a wish when the clock numbers are all the same!

5. How do you feel about the fact that your mother blogs and writes about you?

I like it most of the time. I don’t like it when she writes  things I might not want her to share to the world! (note from Lindsey: I always ask her these days – I did not always do that)

6. Do you have any words of wisdom to share with other ten year olds?  Any advice for other kids?

Some advice for other ten year olds: Take responsibility seriously. Do the right thing even if now ones looking or you don’t feel like it. Love the library or anywhere that has books! Always exercise. Vegetables aren’t always bad!

 

15 thoughts on “What she knows”

  2. Please tell Grace that she is such a wonderful role model for a 6 and a 4 year old I know…combining maturity and thoughtfulness with the best parts of still being a kid! ox

  3. Thank you, Grace, for sharing your wisdom. I especially love your reflections on family traditions. (I also make wishes when clock numbers are all the same!). xo

  4. So nice to meet you here, Grace! I’m so glad you enjoyed your birthday celebration in NYC. Balthazar is one of my favorite restaurants too. Hope you’re cozying up with a good book today. Love, Brettne

  5. Grace, your advice for other 10-year-olds seems like good advice for living a life. You are also a more prolific reader than I am! I always loved reading and books growing up, and spent a lot of time at the Kent Public Library with my mother, but since becoming an adult I don’t read nearly as much. I’m not sure what happened. Your words are a good reminder to keep reading, no matter how old you are!

    Also, French fries are my very favorite thing in the entire world. I have never been to Balthazar (I live in the Wild West and have only been to NYC once), but I’m pretty sure I would have ordered the fries, too.

    You are lucky to have such a nice, thoughtful family to be a part of. My daughter is only two years-old, so we are just at the beginning of creating our own traditions, but it’s nice to know that your family’s traditions mean so much to you.

  6. “Love the Library or anywhere that has books!” Grace, that is one of the wisest things anyone has ever told me. It’s wonderful advice and you’re so smart to have figured it out already. Happy belated birthday!!

    PS – I will relay the message to my one- and four-year-old boys that vegetables aren’t always bad!

  12. Love it! Sophie read and loved Penny Dreadful and Bigger than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder. And Laurel came to speak at her school last year for the traditional 5th Grade Newbery Award luncheon. She is a lovely author!

  14. What a lovely and insightful conversation! Thank you for sharing her thoughts. Grace is gorgeous and wise beyond her years.

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