Rite of Passage

Today, as Avi and I left the neighborhood on the way to do a few errands, we spotted Meital's class outside the school, learning from a policewoman the proper way to effectively operate as a crossing guard. Every year at the elementary school, crossing guard duties are assigned to sixth graders. Every year, fifth graders are trained in how to perform this vital task.

Now, I'm not exactly oblivious, and I *did* notice that Meital, my baby, is ten years old and a fifth grader this year. But somehow, seeing her out there with her class, practicing blocking off the street so that pedestrians can safely cross, was a real wake-up call. It was one of those "my-baby's-all-grown-up-and-saving-China!"* moments.


In other news, I finished up a card I'd started yesterday, and started another one. I need to pick up the card-making pace a little, if I want to get things accomplished. But at least I made some progress.


I also made these On the Fence Brownies. This was actually a practice run for the belated Family Day celebration at Meital's school, that is scedulded to take place at the end of March. Good thing, too, because I discovered that pressing the M&Ms into the brownies when they are almost finished baking, then returning them to the oven for a few minutes, isn't exactly the greatest idea since sliced bread. Next time, I will add the candy before baking. They taste pretty good, though.

I even squeezed in some cross stitching between volunteering at the community center and dinner. I think a couple more hours will see me done with the first quadrant of the piece. That will definitely feel like a major accomplishment! Today I mostly added more gray green and a bit of white. I'm hoping that tomorrow I can add some more beads.

Tonight, the Girls' Night party participants are Meital and myself. We've got the basketball game on TV, we've got the brownies... What more could a girl want?

*What? You don't recognize this line from"Mulan"??