K-lady turns SEVEN!

It's been a big couple of weeks for Ms. K! The week before school started we had a complete frenzy of activities -- squishing in all the last summer outings we possibly could. We visited a small local airport for a tour, we went to the zoo, we enjoyed picnic lunches in the park, & had one last summer visit to the Science Center. By the time the first day of school rolled around, I think we all breathed a sigh of relief that we could take a break from all the crazy fun and calm down into a normal routine.

K started first grade this year -- the first day of school was so exciting. She could hardly sleep the night before, and woke up around 6 am (school starts at 8:15, so that was a little early). She got ready & had extra time on her hands, so I painted her nails and we chit chatted for a while. My sister came over to stay with J-boy and Baby A so I could walk K into school without my usual menagerie tagging along (what a nice sister!). I knew K was a little anxious when I tried to share a little scripture with her before we left the house -- I read her a sweet little scripture about being able to call on God wherever and whenever, and told K that I knew it was true, and that God can help her at school or at home or anywhere she might be, she can just say a little prayer in her head and heart, and He'll hear her. K looked at me and said, "Mom. Idon'tcare. Let's go." Way to deflate my spiritual mom moment. :)

Then at school we parked the car and were walking towards the playground. My sweet girl reached up to hold my hand, then she let go quickly. Two steps later she reached up to hold my hand again, and quickly let go again, shaking her head and hand. Three times she did this! She was to wait on the playground with her class. The other kids ran around and played, laughing and shouting, but she was so somber and serious - standing uncertain at the cone labeled with her teachers' name. I tried to talk to her, but she gave me one word answers at best. I teared up at one point, thinking about how brave and scared she was, but put a stop to that as fast as I could - she would really detest me if I cried on the playground! :)

Once the uncertainties and unknowns of her new school went away, she settled happily into school. She was a bit grumpy and rude with me after school for the first week or so. I realized that she and I really only work together - we hardly ever play. I take her on outings and she has a good time, but that doesn't necessarily translate to, "Gee, mom took me to the zoo! I love mom!" Usually it ends up being more like, "Mom wouldn't let me get that 7 foot stuffed python at the zoo! She's so mean!" So we had a play date that Friday night - dinner, a movie, and scrapbooking. It was so nice to have a good positive time with her. She woke up the next morning, and the first thing she said was, "Mom, I had SO much fun last night!" That made up for the "Idon'tcare." :)

K's birthday was next on the calendar! K requested breakfast in bed (fruit loops, kiwi slices, fruit dip & pink milk), we took treats to school (lollipops), then we went to Red Robin for dinner and had Heather & Ryan & L over for cake and ice cream and presents. We didn't get to play too much after school because I needed to finish that silly cake! Grrr. But K made it worth it by coming into the kitchen at random times and sighing and fawning over it: "Mom, it's the most beautiful cake ever! I just love it!!!" :) She got a kid camera for her birthday, so you'll probably be seeing some original pics by K soon. She takes it every where and is very kind about sharing with J & A (on occasion). In the interest of my sanity, we've implemented a new party policy -- 'odd' years get a friend outing or sleep over, so K-lady had one friend spend the night last Friday - they had a grand old time and were only a little grumpy on Saturday. :)

Misc. K Facts:
Favorite color: turqoise
Favorite animal: puppies and cats
Favorite subject at school: recess
Favorite subject at home: Barbies, Polly's & Ponies, (but she has been known to play cars and super heroes to placate her brother)

Caught Red Lipped...

I was taking a few pictures of Baby A this afternoon, and couldn't get my camera to focus! After a few pictures like this one

I checked the lense and found it all smeared and smudged. I grumbled something about kids getting ahold of my camera, cleaned the lense (it was REALLY dirty) and carried on with my picture taking.
Then tonight as I was uploading pictures I found this video:

My sister Heather was teaching me the sign language to a song I'm teaching the children at church (that's what we're doing in the background). Joseph thought it would be a good idea to video tape us so I can review it during the week. Great idea, till you make Ms. K and J-boy the cameramen!

Rule #369:

Do not kiss (or lick or nose smush or TOUCH) the camera.

I should probably tell the children they generally shouldn't DOCUMENT it when they break the rules.

The Other Graduate

K-lady 'graduated' from kindergarten the same day Joseph took off on his bike adventure. We'd spent the weekend before at a family reunion in Colorado (pictures floating around on a laptop somewhere....). Dad met up with us at Estes Park, and he and Joseph took off for their bike trip while the rest of us headed home (good long drive home....). The day after Memorial Day, K had a funny little 1/3 day of kindergarten, which included this little graduation ceremony. She LOVED kindergarten. It was kind of bittersweet to finish up -- we've really liked her school -- her friends and teachers there have been great.

Shaking the principal's hand -- she was so somber and serious. It was pretty cute. :)

With her best friend, who was in the morning half day kindergarten class (K was in the afternoon half day class)

The kid line up -- Baby A was super excited that K graduated from kindergarten (as you can see)

K and Madeline with their teacher.

This is the 4th graduation for K -- in utero for my Bachelor's, in the stroller for Joseph's bachelor's, waiting impatiently in the bleachers for Joseph's Dr., and now wearing her own little cap. What a cutie!

BIG & little

The past few months have brought us several transformations - some big, and some little.  

I made my first solo batch of freezer jam.  There's just something wonderful about freezer jam...  It's probably that there's just as much sugar as there is fruit.  The berries here didn't come from the raspberry patch by the shop (ah, Washington!  My home!), but they did make tasty jam.
Ms. K lost her first tooth!  It was quickly followed by baby tooth #2, and the dentist in the family (more about him later) was pleased to see the permanent teeth sliding into place.
Goodbye, Lafonda (our voluptuous black beauty), hello Sadie (our new-to-us silver sienna).  Lafonda served us well, and squished 3 carseats in the back with great economy, but, alas, it was time to move on.  It is official, I've traded in my youthfulness for practicality, and I am a mini-van mom.  
Baby A's fauxhawk had to go.  
I LOVE SPRING!  The midwest seems to have a knack for dramatic seasonal changes - these pictures were taken just a few weeks apart.  I love watching the trees come back to life.

Ms. K's Recital

 

The 1st of May Ms. K graduated from Let's Play Music.  Her past three years of music class culminated with a recital where she played her original composition.  She decided to write a lullaby (because she loves to sing to Baby A).  At one point Ms. K made up words to it, too, but I don't think they were ever the same words twice.  In the video you'll actually hear Baby A singing along at times.  :)

I have to add in a little story -- a few weeks ago, K was singing to Baby A in the car on the way to school.  When we got to school I turned around to help K hop out of the car, and was surprised to see tears on her cheeks.  I asked her what was wrong, and she quickly replied, "Oh, momma, these are happy tears -- I just love to sing to my sister."

K is such a sweet and loving big sister.  And I'm so proud of her for finishing Let's Play Music -- it wasn't always fun to practice every day, and it wasn't always fun to have her mom for her teacher, but K kept going (probably because she didn't have a choice... sometimes agency is overrated), and it almost makes me cry 'happy tears' to watch her.   :)

Happy Birthday, K-girl!

Ms. K turned SIX this month! It is so wild to see her getting so big. She is such a fun girl. The big day was busy -- I helped K and J make mini cupcakes in the morning to share with her class at school. J-boy, A and I got to share the treats during the last 10 minutes of class -- K made sure everyone got 2 mini cupcakes, even when it meant she only got one. After school we went to Sonic for Happy Hour slushes, then rushed home so I could finish wrapping gifts! We went to dinner at Red Robin (K's choice), and I think we just might make it a monthly Monday night tradition -- Monday is 'Family Night' at our Red Robin -- they have a fantastic balloon artist, and the kids get free milkshakes! After dinner we rushed home for cake and ice cream with Grandma and Grandpa L and Aunt Sonya & Uncle John and their kids. It was a great day!

On the following Saturday we had a friend party. After several years of princess/fairy/PINK parties, we branched out this year to enjoy a cooking party. We made aprons out of cloth napkins (adapting an idea for dishtowel aprons), and chef hats out of tissue paper. The girls played games, made their own little english muffin pizza and decorated cookies. Thank heavens for the internet -- I love borrowing other peoples' great ideas!!!

So here are a few of my favorite things about my lovely little K-lady:

K is such a good BIG SISTER! This morning I was sitting in Baby A's room feeding the baby, and K and J-boy came in. J-boy struck his best ninja pose, made a mean face and said, "I'm gunna go kill the bad guys!" K immediately jumped into a complimentary ninja pose, and said, "Okay, let's go get 'em!" J jumped out of his pose and ran off, K looked at me with a very grown up look of indulgence, leaned toward me and whispered conspiratorially, "He's such a funny brother!"

She's always trying to keep J-boy out of trouble (he seems to be in trouble a lot these days...). He's big into trantrums, and she soothes and cajoles and pleads and gives in to him regularly. One of K's favorite things to do is hold her baby sister -- especially when she's dressed in what K deems 'cute clothes.' The other day K got upset with me that she only got to hold A in the morning while she was wearing her non-cute PJ's. :)

I don't know if it's in her blood or if it's from my influence, but she loves MUSIC! She hums along with the background music in movies -- she just can't seem to help herself! She plays the piano and practices her lesson without being nagged - and she really just loves it! Nature or nurture? You decide.

She tries very hard to make sure everyone is HAPPY. She'll notice when I'm starting to get frazzeled or frustrated, and she'll come over, put a hand on my arm, look into my eyes and say, "Mom, I sure love you!" She loves to go swimming with her dad -- she loves to make him proud.

And lest you think she's too good to be true, she's also got a devious little streak -- more than once, J-boy has come down the stairs asking me where his cousin T is, or asking what his special treat is, or asking what his new movie is. You see, K & J share a room, and occasionally K will be less than honest with her little brother in an attempt to gain some personal play time and space. That's my cue to give K a 3 sentence lecture on telling the truth, and then engage J-boy in something that gives K a little break from her brother. :) Sneaky little bugger, isn't she?

Anyway, we're grateful to have her! So Happy Birthday, big sister! Thanks for being so great!

First Day of School

My little girl started Kindergarten a week ago! She had an orientation day the Thursday before the first week of school, and was a little put out that she didn't get to go to school on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. :) Monday finally arrived, and she was ready to go! We walked her into the school to her class room door the first few days - on Wednesday she informed me that she no longer needed us to walk her in - she was used to it. :) She is quite independent and determined - I think part of that is a result of being the oldest child, but another part is just her nature.

After a little deliberation, I decided to put her in an afternoon half day kindergarten. She could have gone full day, but I think having her at home in the mornings is better for all of us. We have time to practice piano, read books & have a reading lesson, and the kids can do all their 'jobs' -- just normal getting ready kinds of stuff -- and we get a little extra sleep, which helps all of us!! I'm trying to really savor the moments that we have together - kind of sad that it took the 3rd baby for me to slow down a little and enjoy my kids more!

Yes, J-boy is wearing a Woody costume - many thanks to Heidi for that one. :) He was thrilled to be in K's first day of school pictures -- he adores her. Today when we dropped K off at school, he said, "I love sister, mom. I miss her so much." I'm so glad they are buddies (about 90% of the time - the 10% fights are bearable because of the 90% friendly). :)

Gone Fishin'

Joseph's been busy turning our kids into expert fishermen. He took J-boy last Friday night, and they came home with a catfish!! K and I spent that same evening at the pool. When we came home, we found a catfish head in the sink, a busy daddy trying to get the fish cleaned and a very happy J-boy, sawing away at some portion of catfish fillet with a blunt frosting knife. :) Then the next morning was K's turn -- this is the second year Joseph has taken her to the Farmstead Fishing Derby. Last year he learned his lesson well: he who stands near the feeder catches the most fish! So K came home with a lovely little trophy, having taken first place with 38 fish caught in 30 minutes! She graciously shared her shirt from the occassion with her brother (who appreciates fish shirts more than K does). I love the way Joseph plays with the kids and takes them on outings -- he is a great dad!!

K's Piano Prowess

K's been enjoying my Let's Play Music classes for the past two years. She's learned so much about music! It's been great fun to watch her learn and grow -- she has great rhythm, she sings on pitch, she accompanies her singing on the piano, and she's getting a fabulous theory foundation. I love sharing music with her -- teaching my kids about the things I love is one of the great perks of parenting. :) We practiced every day together for about 15 minutes, and it was so good for both of us - just that little bit of one-on-one time helped K feel so important.

This video is two little bits from our Spring Recital. I kind of unintentionally sabotaged my 'camera man' - my very supportive hsuband. :\ I forgot to charge the digital camera battery, so all we had was the video camera. He got that set up on the tripod, but every time I moved around during the presentation he'd try to adjust while chasing our very active and busy 3 year old. Anyway, it was a little difficult. I'm going to try to catch Katie playing here at home sometime soon so you can enjoy her mad skillz. :) In the meantime, here's a song about intervals - aka 'Turtle Shells' (you get to see her cute face, if not her fantastic fingers), and a little clip of our classical music puppet show - 'The Pirate Ship.'

K-lady

I realized a few weeks ago that I've posted quite a few pictures of J-boy, but not so many of K. Why the discrepancy? Aside from the obvious (it was J-boy's b-day, and it happens to be J-boy's baby book I'm working on), K's been a bit of a pill the last couple months about getting her picture taken - you have to catch her in JUST the right mood to even get a smile! She can be a complicated little person, and sometimes her natural reactions and my natural reactions contrast sharply. But under her tough girl act is my sweet little lady - I just need to remember to reach out to her in a way that works for HER. She's growing up fast - usually faster than I prefer! I feel like I start to get her figured out, then she hits some other phase and I have to start all over. :)
Parenting is a bit complicated, isn't it? It usually takes more patience than I have on hand, but there are those quiet moments that make it all worthwhile.

Before I forget...

I'm always saying, "I should write that down" when my kids say something funny, but I always forget, so instead of going to bed (like I said I would) I'm going to pause in the middle of this catch up to bring you todays best conversation with K:

K: Mother, I'm not a child anymore. (wish I could capture the sassy tone)
Mom: Oh? What are you?
K: I'm a bigger girl. I was a child when I was three. And two and one. J-boy is a child. But not me.

Now, where did she get that?

Big Five

No, I'm not talking about Sporting Goods, I'm talking about my little girl. :( FIVE YEARS OLD?! How is that possible? We had a fabulous birthday weekend -- a party at the preschool on Friday, a party with friends on Saturday, and we'll finish it off tonight with a party for our little family. We just can't get enough pink cupcakes. :)

We decided to have a Fairy theme for the birthday party. I like to play party planner, and I may have gotten a *little* carried away, but it sure was fun! (and made for some great pictures!) (Yes, Mindy, that's part of the canopy from your wedding transformed into a "Fairy Pavillion")