Growing Up

It's hard to believe that my "baby" is 11.  I'm not sure if I am ready for this or not.  Jenna and I are pretty close, and I hope we continue to stay that way.   I went on her last field trip before she heads off to middle school (ugh).  We went to "Go Play Outside Now".  It was fun.  I have always wanted to go there, so it was nice to get a chance to do so.  They even had a small laser tag place and the kids thought that was a hit.  I've also kept busy on my "off" days subbing so I'm trying to catch up.  For the past two Mondays, I have been in Jenna's class.  (she has one teacher in the morning and one in the afternoon).  Sometimes I think it is a bad thing to be in there because I see everything!!  I was  shocked and saddened to see some of the "mean girls" and I was a little sad to also watch my daughter.  Jenna has two friends who are so sweet but really isolate themselves from the rest of the class.  These girls came to Jenna's party and I "approve" of them.  I did notice however that when Jenna stays with them at recess she just kinda sits there.  They seem to take forever to eat their snack and then they don't really play play.  (if that makes sense).  I looked over when I was at recess duty and Jenna looked so sad.  I called her over and talked to her and encouraged her to go play.  She has so much fun playing soccer with the boys and the other girls!!  I noticed the same thing happen during second recess and she again went an played.  She even came running over to me and said "mommy, I scored a goal!!".  I noticed that when I asked the students to pair off  in class
that the other two girls flocked to each other and she was left alone.  Apparently, whenever they partner the two of them always choose each other and Jenna is left alone or with a boy (odd number of girls in the class).  I told her to go with another group because I couldn't bear to see her left alone. 
   Jenna loves these girls but the girls seem to be upset with her for "leaving her" even though she has told them she wants to play at recess.  She has also enjoyed playing with new friends.  She is well loved by the class.  Even the boys love it when she comes and plays soccer or basketball.  I heard them yelling "Jenna's playing, Jenna's playing" My mom always hated "threesomes" and now I do too.  Someone always gets pushed out whether it is purposeful or not.  My kids witnessed this firsthand when I lost one of my closest friends because of a "threesome" and I got purposely pushed out.
      I just so want my kids to be happy and I wish I could keep them from all the hurts in life.  I want Jenna and my boys to be who they are/their own person.  I worry about my daughter in the next few years.  Teen years are hard, especially for girls.  Next year her best friend moves to the teen group and she gets left behind.  She has been talking about it and worried about it, but I keep trying to encourage her.  Sometimes it is hard for me to know when to step in and protect my kids or just let things be and let them get hurt and figure things out for themselves.