Summer of 8

Here is a photo of my Lupe ready for 80's Day at school.  Will anyone get how cool it is she has a Keith Haring sweatshirt tied around her waist?  

It's May 15, and she will be 8 in two weeks.  She is sweet and sassy.  Showing some attitude sometimes that we are not liking very much.  And I wonder what she will be like as a  teen.   I hope so desperately that we will have a good relationship.  

This girl of mine. So uniquely herself.  I feel like "8" is the age that kids are often in story books.  Or movies.   The age of growing independence and a little awareness of the world.
This summer of eight has been one of firsts for Lupe.  I think we can safely say this is the summer she learned to swim.   The swimming we did back in Mexico boosted her confidence a bit (dolphins...um, yeah!).  She has been  couple of times with her friend M whose mom's a swim teacher.   We joined the YMCA and get to use the pool- we try to go more often then we have in other summers.  We have a couple of older friends, like her beloved C, who have helped.   And her Apa is taking her swimming on Saturdays with a private lesson at his gym, then a hot chocolate at a cafe afterwards.
Last weekend we went to a birthday party at the beach and she boogie boarded for the first time.  Her confidence is soaring.
Lupe also took her first theatre camp and thus, her first performance on a stage (asides from ballet last summer).  She was so poised.  And I was so proud.  She loves it and wants to continue.  Taking after mom!

And last night?   Her first punk rock show!   Didn't see that one coming.  I had heard of "Ladyfest" for a while: all day long shows on three stages, predominantly, if not excessively female.  All ages, and two blocks from our house!  The description read: 

"7 in 10 girls believe that they are not good enough or don't measure up in some way. Ladyfest II on Saturday August 6th, 2016 is a resounding response shining a light on female empowerment & helping change that cultural norm. 

All proceeds will be donated to MUSE Arts Education, a San Luis Obispo non-profit that awards musical scholarships and/or musical instruments to people suffering from financial hardships or physical disabilities.

- All Ages, All Day, Open to Everyone

- 3 Stages

- 25 Bands

- Artists, food & vendors celebrating women in the arts!

So after a long day of other fun stuff, a Makers Market at the artist collective down the street, and the aforementioned boogie boarding, I took Lupe at quarter to eight, around the corner to the Grange Hall.  There were a few other kids, mostly the kids of some of the musicians (including a friend from high school).  We were listening, sitting by the Kim Gordon stage and she took out her ear plugs to tell me, "I think I like them".  Awesome!