Closer to Ten

You are 5 and a HALF now and it is crazy to think that you are closer to being 10 than you are to the day you were born. Only 6 months closer but still. It makes my heart jump in excitement for what the next few years will bring but also makes my heart cringe in pain thinking how I can no longer say I have a little one. You, my child, are not little anymore.

So what's been going on in your life for the past few months? Lets start off with the big events then follow with a few minor details (which are just as important)

You lost your first tooth about 2 months ago (the end of December). You were amazing when it came to pulling it out. I figured you would be all "normal" about it and cry or worry. Ok, you did worry. You were afraid you wouldn't be able to eat without a tooth. You actually didn't sleep good the first night thinking about having a hole in your mouth. Luckily for you, your permanent tooth started coming in before you lost your baby tooth. Here it is 2 months later and your tooth is over half way done growing.

You had your first riding lesson. It sure was amazing to see you sitting on the huge horse leading your way in and out or the blocks lined up in the arena. You looked like a (nervous) little pro sitting up there with your helmet on, pulling back to stop the horse or squeezing your legs tight to make her go. I can't wait to see you ride during the next 3 lessons.

You were chosen as Home Coming Princess by your class along with your best prince Eli. You walked down in your beautiful dress, holding the crown for the soon to be announced queen, with your hair down and your dress just sparkling in the dim lights. Stunning my child, you are simply stunning!

You had your second haircut except this time, it wasn't just 7.5 inches. You cut off over 12 inches! So, you now have short hair for the first time since your were 2 years old. You look amazing by the way. I do miss your long hair. I miss the stares of people in public as they gazed in jealousy that you were able to have golden locks to your butt. BUT, I love the new look. I feel like you are a different person. Well, maybe not a different person, you just seem older. I just stare at you in disbelief that you are so amazingly beautiful. Honestly, from the day you were born, I have stared at you like that. In awe that something so beautiful on the inside and out can belong to me.

You climbed a tree for the first time a few weeks ago. You didn't climb high but you did climb it.

You fed baby Char for the first time. It isn't the first time you fed a baby becuase you use to feed Pax when she was little but you were only 1 years old. Does that really count? I don't even think you understand Pax was real. Char though, you know she is real. You didn't just feed her one time.. I am pretty sure you fed her 5 times! This is a huge deal considering when she was first born (3 months ago today) you were scared to hold her.

You now chew gum. Up until about a week ago, you did not like gum. I don't like gum so there was never any pressure but that has now changed. You change gum about ever 10 seconds saying that it "lost it's flavor" but you chew it. I think you had gum in your mouth for about an hour the other day. We are now working on blowing bubbles with the gum. It might take a while since you don't seem to grasp the concept very well.

A few smaller things that I want to note in here is how big you have been acting. {yes, you have your "normal" moments of crying, whining, stomping your foot, attitude, and a little bit of back talking} All in all though, I have been impressed. Saying Yes Mam, doing as you are asked, cleaning your room, even making mine and dads bed randomly.



So she says..
The past 2 weeks you have been on a roll with words.
Asking dad "which one do you prefer"
telling me "that is a very interesting thought Mom"


To sum all this up, at 5 and a half.. you are astonishing, wonderful, and full of change. Growing up right in front of my eyes. I want you to know that I notice it. I see it all. I am aware. I am not letting all this pass by without paying attention. I savor the moments of you being little (as you crawl into my lap in the morings, lay your head on my shoulder, and sit in peace and comfort) but these moments of you growing, they are surprising and enjoyable (90% of the time). I can not wait to see where you are in life, who you are turning into, and experience more firsts/new over the next 6 months.

12 inches later

If you know my child, myself, or anyone that is close to our family.. you know how long my child's hair is. She has only had 1 hair cut since the day she was born. Her first hair cut was in March 2012 and we cut off 7.5 inches. Within months, it had grown back. 

I love her long beautiful blonde hair. I envy how amazing it looks on her. I love the french braids, high pig tails, and how shiny it is when she wears it down. With all good and amazing things come sacrifice. We (Mady and myself) have sacrificed mainly time. Do you realize how long it takes to brush out tangles after sleeping on hair that is down to your booty? Do you realize how long it takes to blow dry hair when you get out of the tub and your hair has soaked up all water possible into each and every strand. Do you realize how long it takes to french braid pig tails on hair that sits on top of a 5 year olds head and drapes down her back. Washing it, the amount of shampoo and conditioner.. if your running late, throwing it up in a pony is never really throwing it up in a pony.. getting ready for ballet takes twice as long as most girls.. the static in the winter, oh my goodness the static in the winter.. it getting caught in buttons from shirts.. Honestly, the list goes on and on. 

Things are different now. We knew it would happen soon. I knew I wanted to cut it. I put it off, put if off, put if off.. Until 2.15.13. I told GrannyLu (LuLu has a new name!) to make the call, see if they had an appointment, and lets go for it. Little did I really think there would be an appointment for that day. 

That brings us to her appointment. I was nervous. SHE was nervous. Our stomachs in knots. I knew she would be cute, I knew it would be ok, I just wasn't sure she (or myself) would love it or regret it. As I watched her getting it cut, I saw the look (the look I have seen so many times) of nerves getting the best of her. The look of I may break down into tears at any moment now. She held it together though. (As well as myself) and chop chop went the scissors. The hair stylist that cut her hair has pretty long hair herself. I mean, super duper extra long hair. Which is one important factor since she knows, understands, and loves long hair like we do. (pretty sure she was just as nervous) I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Her hair was separated into 4 different sections

FIRST CUT

The look says it all

Like I said, she has a ton of hair

Home-Coming Princess

At my chica's school, they involve every grade in homecoming. It really is an adorable idea! Of course, my child was chosen by her classmates to represent the preK-4 class. (I am sure it was between her and her best girl friend EM.. since they are the nicest, most respectful, and well behaved in the class) Chica's was so excited to walk next to her best boy friend EL, buying a pretty new dress, and having her picture made. She also was the youngest in the homecoming so she and E got to carry the home coming queens crown. It was a pretty big night and she did amazing. She was so beautiful. I was one proud Mom!!

(Above pictures are of Chica and E practicing) 

More pictures will be posted in the next day or two. 

Soap Box

Ok, I am going to get on my soap box for a few seconds. Is that what it is called? Soap Box? If so, I have no idea why. That would be an interesting google search wouldn't is?

Back to what I was wanting to say..

It ERKS me when people say things like. I hate Valentines Day. (This applies to any other Holiday) So these are the facebook statuses I have read so far:

"Valentines Day Sucks"

"Valentines is just another day for America to make millions on stupid red and white crap"

"Why does it take Valentines Day for people to go out of their way to say I love you. Everyday should be Valentines day."

there are many other post and people being negative but those pretty much sum it up.


First off. WAY SO BE HAPPY AND POSITIVE PEOPLE!

Valentines Day does NOT suck in any way, shape, or form. You do not have to have a spouse to enjoy they day. Here is what my 5 year old daughter told me the other day.

"I love Valentines. It is a day about giving and about Love"

Hello People.. there are (or at least should be) many people in your life that you can express your love and gratitude towards. You don't have to be in love to enjoy love.

It is another day for America to make millions on stupid red and white crap. BUT all that red and white crap, some one has to make it.. which means.. it is putting a roof over someones head, food on the table, and a job to go to every day. I agree, we get scammed .. BUT who really cares? Think about all the things you buy on a daily basis. What is the difference? REALLY..   and again, way to enjoy a day about love. I mean, when else is it ok for you to decorate your house with red and white crap? Pink heart? or all the other stuff we buy on this day. I love it. I know my husband wouldn't enjoy pink hearts year round. So, its the time of the year I am allowed to have pink in my house without a funny look. It just makes me happy to see the valentines decorations in public or at home.


Now for the "every day should be Valentines day" or the "why does it take Valentines Day for people to go out of their way to say I love you"

Life gets busy. Wake up, eat, work, drive, eat, clean, bills, read, clean some more, cook, eat some more, sleep.. I mean.. the day to day life can take over pretty fast. Yes, there should be random days that you say I love you in a way that is not like another day. BUT.. what is wrong with having a day set in stone that you go out of your way for. I mean, people set alarms to remember to take the trash out (yes, this would be my husband) and people have wake up calls. People say all the time.. "remind me to do this" Having a day set in stone is just a reminder, a day that you know isn't going to be the normal. A day that you can buy stupid red and white crap for ANYONE you want to say that you love them.

People just need to take a second and be thankful they are alive. Celebrate each day. Make up a holiday for every day of their life. Valentines being one of them. There is nothing wrong with being reminded to go out of your way for the people you love. Yes, we all have our likes and dislikes. Some people like flowers some don't. Just like some people like bananas and some don't.

And if you really just don't like Vday. or you want to be a bummer of a person about it. Just do it alone.

whats going on right now.. Chica

As I sit here, looking on Pinterest for Valentine's Day food, my chica is not so quietly playing in her.. playroom? bedroom? I have had to pause for many seconds just to listen to her.

It is my favorite things to do.. ok, my 3rd favorite thing. (I love when she holds my hand.. I love listening to her made up stories)

Things I have overheard so far..

:::in a high pitched "lady" voice... followed by a low pitched "man" voice:::

lady- I am not a bad women
man- yes, don't call my wife a bad women. I love her
lady- and I love him
man- she is a great women. she is not bad. do NOT say that
lady- and he is a great man

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another moment ::said in a smart tone::

I said I was going to do it in a second.. what do you think I can do it all? I mean, I am trying to put your foot back on and you don't believe me. I keep trying but it keeps falling off. I mean, how can I make your foot stay?

(I have no idea what she is talking about or WHO she is talking to)




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my phone is sitting in the hall way.. recording her.. I am not sure what exactly will be picked up because I do not want her to see that I am recording her. ok.. I just got busted.. and I lied to her.. I know, please forgive me Lord.. I really did lie to her and acted like I had no idea the phone was there..


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in a regular voice.. just super loud

It is about to be the best day of my life!! I am going to rock out!!

MOM, may I use your make up?
(me) yes, just the one book of eye shadow
OK!!

then I hear her singing:

Make Up.. Make Up.. gonna ROCK OUT

and then people.. THIS is what just happened..

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So what is going on now?   she is back in her room or playroom.. rocking out on the ukulele.. singing

I wish there was a way to record her without her seeing or knowing!

Snow Day 2013

Last Saturday morning, we woke up to a surprise.. Z called me and asked if it was snowing. (he was at work) I sat up in the bed, looked out the window, and sadly said no. 

Within 10 minuets of that call, all had changed. I look outside and it is snowing.. huge snow flakes! I yell for Mady, knowing that we MUST take advantage of this moment and go play.. we didn't even comb our hair.. throwing on my thermal tights and a jacket, she put on her warm snow suite! Then Chica, Murfy, and myself went out to a white yard. My new house is beautiful covered in snow. Then I realized, we have acres!! HIKE!!  We headed into the woods for a snow hike. It was amazing.. it was beautiful.. it was almost perfect. (if only Z were here to hike with us)

 op[ 0-

remember, we didn't brush our hair so please ignore mine!

Her snowman.. it was not great snowman making snow. Then we headed inside to rest from out amazing snow adventure!

During the snow and after it stopped snowing.. so pretty!