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September 26, 2009
Unleashed
All my kids start out shy. Polite, sweet, but quiet when we're out in the world. Katie sort of took that description to extremes.
After a year of attending TKD three times a week, every week, she would still only greet the instructor verbally about half the time.
At preschool, she was hesitant to tell the teachers (whom she professed to love, at home) that she needed to go to the bathroom. She never wanted to interrupt. I'd be willing to bet she never said a word that wasn't an answer to a direct question.
In gymnastics, her coach told me excitedly that she had finally starting talking, that when the other girls would cut in front of her in line, she might actually mention to the coach that Katie thought it was her turn. She had only been attending regularly for 9 months or so.
And then, about a month ago, she decided to become outgoing.
I was shocked at her behavior in gymnastics. She was (slightly obnoxiously) calling "Look at me! Look at me Miss Amanda!" Loud enough that you could hear her all over the gym. Repeatedly. Out of turn, even.
I've never heard her do such a thing in public, except to family.
When I asked her about it on the way home, she matter of factly said "I'm not going to be shy anymore."
Since that day, she's been more outgoing at school. She's still described as "sweet," "cuddle bug," "well behaved" and "good listener", but she's also gone from "soft spoken" to "talks more and more." She's proudly informed me that she's asked to go to the bathroom when she needs to go.
Of course, the Katie I see hasn't changed much. The one that hasn't stopped talking to me since the first day we dropped Jamie off at preschool. The one that can be funny, or bratty, that yells at her sister when things don't go her way. I'm proud of the way she's coming into herself, growing up, growing out.
And now I get to share her, the good and the bad, with the rest of the world. Go out and get 'em, girl!
Posted by me at September 26, 2009 9:56 PM
Comments
Still waiting for this transformation in Tracy. It's been coming slowly step by step over the years but not in a sudden jump like that. Go for it Katie!!
Posted by: Bec at September 27, 2009 6:17 PM