Pre-K doin's.

 I've always thought that things like pre-k graduations are so silly and unnecessary.  Logically, I buy into the idea that kids don't need participation trophies, and that we don't need to make up silly milestones for them.

Then, I had a kid in Pre-K.  I'm not saying I don't think it's silly, because it is.  And it's certainly unnecessary.  But, the kids all seemed pretty proud about graduating, and I'd be lying if I told you I didn't get teary during the ceremony.

It started with Dani being named "Pre-K Student of the Year" for her school.  This meant she got to attend a local baseball game and was recognized on the field--and got to run out onto the field with the home team.

She stayed out there for the National Anthem.  She was so proud.  And, it was pretty awesome, the whole family got to watch her from the stands.

 Two days later, it was Pre-K graduation.  Nothing like a hot summer night in an un-air conditioned elementary school cafeteria.

 Dani got to lead the assembly by holding the mic and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  (teary mommy)

 Look at this kid's face.  She's walking to receive her Pre-K "diploma".  She's beaming.

It's impossible not to be excited for her--because she's so excited about being ready for real school!

 Tori and Tommy managed to sit relatively still during the event.

 An attempt at a family photo was, as usual, like herding cats.  Tori is channeling her inner Bangles "Walk like an Egyptian" vibe.  This was the best, of many attempts.

It's amazing how fast this time flies.  Dani's headed to kindergarten.  Kindergarten!  (And Tori to Pre-K)

When we were driving to the Mohawks game, the night she was receiving the Student of the Year honor, she was in the back seat telling Tori, "To be the student of the year, you have to work hard and do your best every day in pre-k, Tori."

She is amazingly smart, and articulate for her age.  (I realize every parent says this.)

And, we're so proud of her.

 

A few kid sayings of late...

Some weeks ago, Tori hopped into the coveted second row minivan seat (that Dani had asked for) and when Dani protested, Tori's response was, "You snooze, you lose, kid."  (Thanks Grandma.)

Now, all three kids vie to be the first at anything so they can hurl the "you snooze you lose" taunt.

 

Last night I was talking to Dani and Tori about my parents' impending visit.  I was mentioning that there were a few things in the house that I wanted Grandpa to fix.  I told them that Grandpa could fix anything.  Dani disagreed.  "Grandpa can't fix people, mommy."

 

At dinner tonight, Tori announced that she would like to call me Bethany.  When I said no, she could call me mommy, she settled on mom, and told me if I were a balloon she would pop me.

 

Dani's favorite jokes to tell these days;

What do you call a cow with no legs?  Ground beef.

Why can't you hear a pterodactyl going to the bathroom?  Because the "p" is silent.

 

 



Five!

 Dani turned five this week.  Five!  Where does the time go?

It's been quite a year for our not-so-little Dani.

She started Pre-K.  She waits for the bus, with her Super Mario backpack, just like a big kid.  Every night at dinner, she's so eager to tell us about what her buddies did at school, to sing us songs, and tell us about her day.  When we drive around town, she loves to point out her friends' houses, and she's learning how to get places, telling me while I'm driving which way I should be going.

For weeks, she was singing songs in anticipation of her Christmas concert at school.  When the flyer came home, I was scheduled to be in court, but at the last minute, the matter was adjourned so I was able to go.  With some help, I snagged a second row seat.  She walked out with the twelve children in her class, anxiously looking around, and she saw me and Grandma Deb.  She frantically waved, and was so excited to sing to us.  Tears rolled down my cheeks while she sang and danced, "I'm a little snowman, look at me." 

There was my baby, up on stage, at school, in her first concert.

 She's the first one to offer to help, before I have to ask her.

Usually, she's the first one to tattle, unless she's joining in the mischief with Tori and Tommy.

She's quick to laugh, and make silly faces and sounds.

She's getting good at talking back too--Mommy, apparently, is very often wrong, you know.

And she's getting SO BIG--she's the tallest kid in her class, and comes up almost to my shoulders.

And she still wants to snuggle, as often as possible.  But these days, she reminds you more of one of those big dogs who doesn't realize she's not a lap dog, as she piles on top of me on the couch or asks me to pick her up.

 It's hard to believe she's five.

I swear, just yesterday she was a baby, trying to gnaw my face off.

And wow, I had far fewer grey hairs back then!

 It was so much easier back when there was just one.

I had so much time for just focusing on her...and celebrating the silliest of holidays, like her first St. Patty's day photos.

 She loves fiercely.

From the moment we brought Tori home, and she exclaimed "Baby" and kissed her, she embraced the role of big sister.

 And she couldn't wait to do it again with Tommy.

 She usually sets a pretty good example for them to follow.

And she is naturally good at sharing the spotlight.  It's interesting that when she chooses characters that she likes best, it's most often the supporting ones.  She prefers Luigi to Mario, Robin to Batman, Widget to Wubbzy.  She's the first one to hand over the coveted toy of the moment so Tommy won't cry, and to share her goodies with Tori without being asked.  An action not accompanied by please or thank you is nearly non-existent with her.

She changed my life.

She taught me how to love with a depth I did not know I possessed.

She taught me, and continues to teach me every day, important lessons like these:

A walk around the block can be magical if you find pinecones.

The boxes stuff comes in are often more fund to play with than the stuff.

Everything is better with sprinkles.

Always make time for another kiss and hug.

Bedtime songs are way better than bedtime books...Raindrops on Roses is still her favorite.

Getting dressed is more fun if you don't care if your clothes match.

You don't need a reason to turn off the lights and have a glow stick party.

Knock knock jokes don't have to be funny to be funny to toddlers.
All you need is a sunny day and a maple tree seed pod to turn into a unicorn.

 

And the most amazing part is that this is just the beginning.  The beginning of the life of my amazing little Dani.  As much as I selfishly hate to see her to grow so independent, I love to see her roots grow stronger as my little flower reaches for the sunlight.

Happy birthday, Dani.

Long overdue.

Wow--this post is LONG overdue.  I haven't posted in nearly two months--which has never happened.  I got so caught up in life, kids, work, etc., that I just did not make time to blog, and I thought "no biggie".  But when I started thinking about it tonight, I reminded myself that this blog is, for all intents and purposes, the baby book for the kids, the record of our lives that I have printed and bound every year for the kids to have someday, and I realized that posts to facebook won't be anything tangible years down the road that the kids can read, and hold and touch.  So...I'll do better.  And until then, here's the summer in a recap.

Father's Day--the kiddos greeted Big Man with "I love my Dad" t-shirts.  Getting three toddlers to smile and look at the camera at the same time is impossible.

 We spent so much time outside, squirt guns in hand, in the big and little pool.

 We have a gender-neutral dress-up policy.....Tommy's wardrobe is compliments of Dani and Tori.

 We were invited places, and actually showed up, despite being outnumbered by kids who could scatter upon arrival.  Here's Tori at a graduation party.

 And Dani at the same one--they love putting on "party dresses" to go somewhere. 

 At times, they felt like they were in baby jail, just waiting for release.

 Meanwhile, Tommy just sprouted. 

 Grandma and Grandpa visited and, of course, that meant a trip to the beach.

 Grandpa braved the deep waters of Caroga Lake!  (Grandpa is actually an accomplished swimmer and diver, not that he'd need it in the lake!)

 Grandma showed Tommy around.

 Dani and Tori saw their first fireworks this summer.  Their reactions were priceless.

 It was just awe.  Tori yelled, "Mommy, look it's pixie dust!"

 Swimming.

 Dinnertime silly.

 And there are just so many things I didn't capture because I didn't post them when they came up--sorry kiddos.  A few funnies I can think of:  Dani is starting Pre-K and we received the orientation packet.  School has a dress code so I told Dani we needed to get school clothes so she could dress accordingly with solid shirts and pants.  "Will the shirts be hard?" she asked.  I asked what she meant...."Solids are hard, Mommy, not like liquids," was the response. So we explained the concept of solid colors.  We've had someone doing some home improvements  (painting, etc)  "Mr. Mark" who has had dinner with us a time or two while he was working...the other night Mr. Mark (who had taken a cab to our house as his car would not start) remarked at dinner that he felt naked without his car.  A minute later, Dani leaned over to me and asked, "Mr. Mark has clothes on, why does he think he's naked?"
It's been a zany few months...and I promise it won't be so long for me to update.

 Sister hugs!

Sisters picnic.

It's finally feeling like summer!  We're opening the pool.  Dani and Tori enjoyed a fruity lunch plate on the deck this afternoon.

They've been as thick as thieves lately.  It is so neat to watch them just become friends.  Like any siblings, there's still a ton of rivalry.  Once I do something with one, the other is always headed my way saying "my turn". 

But these two have what I remember having with my brother, Todd, a built-in playmate.  And it's pretty awesome.  Someone to be silly with, to tattle on, to blame when you get caught, and to stay up past bedtime talking to.

And just someone to chill with when you need to relax.

Tommy looks at them with the biggest smiles.  I know he can't wait to join the posse.

Sisters.

I don't have any sisters. Growing up, I could never figure out why I would want one. I had a brother, and that was all I knew. When we were little, we were the best of friends and the worst of enemies all in the same hour. He bedgrudglingly played with Ken or a GI Joe when I played with my Barbies; we played CHiPS (he was always Ponch), rode bikes, played tag and all kinds of stuff. As we got older we were different and really weren't friends through middle and high school (and well, to be honest, we were never really close until we started families); we hung with different crowds and were just different kids. Sure, we'd punch each other from time to time, but basically we were indifferent to each other at worst. But, a sister? All my friends who had sisters, hated them. They were always fighting over stuff, and clothes, and chores, and boys and god knows what else. Maybe I didn't always like my brother, but I was sure glad he didn't have boobs.

I'm starting to rethink my theory.

It's an hour past bedtime, and they are up there talking, and singing and giggling. I went up twenty minutes ago to tell them to quiet down and go to sleep, and Tori was at the edge of her crib facing Dani, and Dani on the edge of her bed talking to Tori. Now they are more boisterous.

They are the best of friends, and at times, the biggest rivals. We hear lots of "my turn" in this house, because if you do it for Tori, whether it's a quick toss in the air, or a silly rib tickle, Dani will insist that it's her turn next. Tori does the same. If Dani sees Tori doing something naughty (usually of the mess making kind), Dani will begin the same naughty act, just because Tori is doing it.

They share their snacks, toys, and hiding places, chase each other around, and mimic each other's silliness. Sure, there's the occasional bite (by Tori) or kick or shriek (by Dani) but for the most part, they just seem to enjoy each other's company a lot.

It's pretty magical.

Sure, I know they are going to fight, over who has the better hair, or the cuter boyfriend, or about who got to wear their favorite pair of jeans last, but I'm starting to finally understand the joy of having a sister.

Now that we're grown, most of my friends with sisters tell me their sister is their best friend. Certainly as I grow and age, and friends come and go--our lives change so quickly that sometimes we just don't have enough in common to stay in close touch--and I miss them. But you always have something in common with a sister, even if it's only to commiserate on how crazy your mom was, as I am sure Dani and Tori will.

I'm glad they have each other, and even happier to get to watch them grow together.

Unplugged.

I had a weekend like I haven't had in a very, long time.

No trips to the office. Pretty much no internet, email, or checking my blackberry.

I was home with my family. We enjoyed olive fingers and fruit for lunch:

Stealing daddy's hat at dinnertime!

We grilled out. We had breakfast together. We piled on the couch together, and Big Man and I actually watched a movie, snuggled up on the couch! The kids decided he was the best seat in the house.

We ate silly food. These are silly dogs....hot dogs you spear with spaghetti before boiling. Dani didn't know quite what to make of them, but she loved them!

We had our first day in the pool. Fearless Tori took on the sprinkler over and over.

We sure had fun!

It's what big girls do.

Dani had her 2 year check up today. Big Man didn't really get all the stats because he was using every known trick to keep Dani from flipping out. Apparently she starts to cry when they pull in to the parking lot, every time. Kind of like a puppy at the vet. He did recall she's 27 pounds and in the 95th percentile for height but only the 15th for weight.

She is, officially, our big girl. And, did you know, big girls sit on the potty? They don't always (or ever in our case) do anything on said potty, but they try.
Big girls share their toys with little girls. Sometimes, at least.

Big girls talk in sentences, and find creative ways to say no!

Big Man says that during the day Dani and Tori are inseparable, like a little wolf pack.

Oh, and Tori, my little not even 8 months old Tori, crawled up to me tonight and pulled herself up to standing. She did it over and over. She is trying so hard to catch up to her big sis!

Put your hands in the air!

Hip hop hurray, ho, hey, ho!

Fun day with the kiddos! We carved pumpkins and played all day! Dani is still loving her bunny ears...she likes to be "bunny Pete" from a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode. So cute!
As Tori gets bigger and more interactive, Dani and she are having more fun together. Here, they are snuggling on the couch.
Tori is trying hard to crawl. She can crawl backward, but not forward yet. But, she can do military pushups--no lie! As you can see, she pushes up on her tippy toes and her hands...and she does up and downs. Not bad for my little chubby mcdubbs. When Dani sees Tori on the floor, she tries to climb on Tori and says Giddybup! It's pretty cute, but means that now we can no longer leave Dani in the room with Tori on the floor alone, lest Tori get smooshed by her loving sister.
Yes, bad mommy had to take a picture as it was happening---I figured Dani was on Tori's calves, so it's not like Dani could do any harm, so I took a picture!

Carved some pumpkins this afternoon, roasted some seeds. Looking forward to Dani's first real Halloween!

Thick as thieves, almost.

Today, I had a little foreshadowing into the closeness Dani and Tori will share when they are just a little bit older. Dani wanted to sit with Tori "under Daddy's covers" (which means the blanket nearest Big Man's couch spot". Dani proceeded to snuggle and give her repeated kisses on her head. Every few minutes, Tori, an inexperienced sitter, would flop over onto Dani, which would send her into hysterics! Shouts of "Tori get me" and Dani racing off the couch, with the expectation that I would scoop Tori up (I did) and chase Dani around the house saying "Tori's gonna get you", while she squeals and halfheartedly tries to run away.It's so neat to see them have this bond--they are so interested in each other but only on their terms. For Dani, it's when Mickey Mouse isn't on, and when she's sure she's getting enough attention from Big Man or me, that she will focus on Tori and just try to make her laugh and smile, or just be close to her. Tori's pretty young still, but if I hold her near Dani, she constantly moves her feet or hands near to Dani to touch her. Which, to Dani, is Tori hitting and kicking, but she doesn't seem to mind, because deep down she knows Tori's a baby.

Someone please remind me of this tenderness when, in the not so distant future, I am reporting that they are beating the stuffing out of each other? (and/or fighting over clothes, toys, boys, etc.)