Ramona finds it difficult to understand why adults often say that children grow up so fast. To her, growing up feels like a slow process, even slower than the anticipation of Christmas. She has been waiting many years just to start kindergarten, which makes her perceive the progression of time as moving very slowly.

In her view, the final half hour before starting kindergarten is the longest moment of all, emphasizing her perception that time drags rather than speeds up. Ramona’s feelings highlight her perspective that childhood and waiting periods can seem endless and patience-testing from a young child's point of view.