{the graduate}

Paigey was graduated from Preschool today. I truly cannot believe how FAST this school year has gone. She has grown a lot - in both size and maturity.

 


She was very exited about her graduation ceremony.

She even sat pretty still when she was supposed to, and sang when she was supposed to. It was very cute.

  
 When her teacher, Mrs. Norrod asked her, in front of the whole graduation ceremony audience, what she wanted to be when she grows up, I held my breath. A cowgirl? A cheerleader? A mom?

"A Teacher", she said. That's my girl! Always unpredictable.
 
Congratulations Paige!

{she}

She is nine and a half. She is almost done with third grade. She still loves school, and I can see that she truly has a conflict within her about being excited for summer vacation, and missing school. She checks out an average of 15 books from the library at a time, reads them within a few days, and wants to go get more. She is messy. Her desk is a constant source of conflict between she and I. She is a sensitive, and still cries very easily. AND, she would most likely be very embarrassed that I just told you. She still loves playing softball. She does not, however, like to practice. But, she so very badly needs to. She loves playing with friends over just about anything. She is still very close with her little sister, but needs her space as well - and I totally get that. She gets very excited when she gets to spend alone time with me - which, unfortunately, is not very often. She never stops talking. Never. She does not have a lot of self confidence, and that is something that we will be working on. She makes me proud on a daily basis. She is my first born. She made me a Momma. And we both learn things about that journey everyday.

 

She is almost five. She, in just a matter of days, will be all done with preschool. She likes school, but much prefers playtime over work-time. She knows all her letters, letter sounds, numbers up to 100, etc...She is a knowledge sponge at this point. She ask 1,786,483 questions everyday. I wish I was exaggerating. She is big into knowing how things are spelled - "Mom, how do you spell: Polly put on your socks?" She is still very strong willed - especially when it comes to her wardrobe. Those who have shopped with her know this. She has developed a fear of the dark and bugs - both of which have kept her up WAY past her bedtime. She is very affectionate. She has this very cute way of saying "Thanks" when you give her a compliment. She still cries like a tiny baby when she gets frustrated. She holds her pencil weird - just like her cousin Kelly. She hates Mexican food. She is not shy around kids - but can be shy around adults. She loves her big sister more than just about anyone. She is very excited about going to Kindergarten. She still lets me carry her around, but is starting to get too heavy and too long to do so comfortably. She is my baby. And she is growing up.

{kindergarten roundup}

I took Paige to Kindergarten round-up tonight. She was SO EXCITED!!
I have been very excited for her. And, let's be honest, I am excited for me too. But sitting there in the LGI room tonight, waiting for the presentation to begin...it began to hit me. My baby is going to Kindergarten in a matter of months. Each and every time one of the teachers referred to Paige as a Kindergartener, something inside me began to swell with a little bit of sadness. It feels like no time has passed since I took Emily to school to meet her Kindergarten teacher - Mrs. Hollinsky. Paige was a baby. And now, here we were, in the hallway talking to that very same teacher. But this time, Emily was at her softball game, and Paige was standing next to me. It all became very real.
I have often talked about how fast time goes. I just wish I could bottle up these moments, to savor now and at another time. I have all but forgotten what their little voices sounded like as babies, how they smelled after a bath, the feel of their baby soft skin. Wahhhhhhhh! My babies. I miss them so. BUT - I LOVE that they both sleep all night (for the most part) - and all the other stuff that goes along with being four and nine......it's just a moment I need, just a moment.
For now, I just keep taking pictures, and telling their stories.

{it's been awhile}

 

We haven't been all that busy. The weather has been kind of crappy. Cloudy. Cold. Very un-spring like. And my camera kind of has cob-webs. The pictures here are basically what I took over the last month. Nothing too exciting. Just life. Going on. Everyday stuff.

{now, wait just one minute.....}

So, a couple years ago, I had this little girl. And she wore this cute, little dress.


And my other little girl - well - she wore an even little-er dress. And they were both cute and oh, so little.


And, then, well, this happened. My wee, little girl got bigger. And was able to fit into that dress.


And declared herself WAY more fashionable. ;)



Not to be outdone by her little sister - this girl, also declared herself fashionable.


And can I just say - where the heck are my little girls?

It's so cliche - but, wow. Time does fly. My little girls - no longer so little anymore.

(the first two pictures are from March 2008 - and HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY)

{easter 2012}

Happy Easter to all!

{reflection}

When I was a little girl, I remember my Mom telling me, "You are a reflection of me." And, I have to be honest, at the time, I had no idea what she was talking about. I thought that maybe she might be saying that I looked like her.



I could not have been more wrong. Of course, I look a little bit like my Mom. But that's not the reflection that she was talking about.



She wanted me to be a kind, honest, patient, and forgiving person. Someone that people would meet and immediately think, "Wow, what a nice person." I hope I didn't disappoint her.



And that EXACTLY what I want for my girls. Of course, good grades are important to me. But even more than that, good character is vital. When you are no longer around, people tend to not remember the fact that you got straight A's, or worked really hard at your job. They remember that you were nice. That you were considerate. That you were giving and thoughtful.



That you smiled a lot. Laughed a lot.



I want my girls to look at someone who is none of those things and think, "Geez, their Mom must be so embarrassed."

That's what I always think. Even now.



In fact, if you ever see my girls doing something you know I would not approve of, please, feel free to remind them about their "reflection".


They will know exactly what you are talking about. ;)