Growing Pains

So last week was Sophie's first official day of school. It entailed Mister Och and I attending a forty-five minute intro session with her so she can see her classroom, her teacher, and the rest of the class. The rest of the week, there were no other classes held as it was individual skills assessment time. Soph was given an appointment time, as did the other students, and was tested by the teacher on a one-on-one basis. Today was the official WHOLE day of class...the one in which mother hens were not allowed in the classroom with their chickities. Because of the weeklong prelude to this day, I had no anxiety about it, and therefore escorted my boo utterly unprepared.

I had allowed her to make her own decisions about her attire today (the only thing I insisted on was that she had a good healthy intake of food). She opted to bypass a bath, explaining to her momma that she'll probably be sweaty from the playground and so she'll need to take her bath afterwards. She then requested her hair be put up in pigtails because she didn't want to go to school with bedhead. She picked out her outfit, even going as far as stepping outside to gauge the weather. Then, she put her first school project in her backpack and was ready to go.

As she stood there in line with the other newbie students, in the practical little outift and hairstyle she selected, I watched her take a hold of Liv's hand and say, "Now, Livy, I'm going there by myself. You can't come in with me. You need to stay with mom and take a nap, okay?"
Liv had looked up at her big sis with total adoration and nodded as if she understood.

I started to feel a little flutter in my stomach right about then, and it startled me somewhat. What's the big deal, right? Then her teacher herded the line in towards the kindergarten hallway. As she neared the entrance, the tighter the knot in my throat felt. And when she spun around suddenly towards me, I half expected her to look slightly panicked. Instead, she beamed her confident sun-shiney smile and blew me a kiss. She turned right around and headed into her elementary days with a bounce in her step.

Oh, boy, did that get me. I rushed back to the parking lot, plastering this smile on my face, passing all the other mothers chattering about how relieved they are now minus one and how much easier would it be to perform errands. Liv, started whirling around in my arms then, looking for something, and near tears asked, "Where's my girl? Where's my girl? Where's my Sophie?"

I buckled her up as fast as I could and got in the driver's seat and just cried my eyes out.

First Day of School!

Time sure does fly. I never thought the day would come when I would have a sixth grader AND a kindergartener! Now it is just me and baby Liv (and even now, she is SO over the baby stage) at home. Both Mister D and Soph have been anxiously awaiting this big day, and I'm happy to report it has turned out exceeding their expectations.
This was about the only picture my young man would let me take of him. Despite the hordes of families walking in together, he insisted I drop him off curbside instead. Too cool for mom already. Waaaaaaah!

Liv was just as excited about the big day, although I'm fairly certain she had no clue it would mean her big sis will be leaving without her. I was trying to snap a few pics of Soph in her outfit, but the adoring li'l sis insisted on being right there with her.

She mimicked everything Sophie did.

It drizzled a bit, but Sophie was happy to use that as an excuse to use her tiny umbrella.

Daddy made it a point to schedule a block of time from work to see his baby girl to school.

Here she is waiting for the rest of the class to come in.

Her hungry caterpillar crown.

I love this school and its pre-school and kindergarten exclusive playground.

Champion

Guess who got a first place trophy for the Junior League Tournament of Champions?

Excluded

Me: Are you excited that Daddy is coming home soon?
Sophia: Yeah! I can't wait!
Me: Me, neither! What do you want to do when he gets here?
Sophia: I'm taking him on a date!
Me: Oh, yeah? To where?
Sophia: I'm going to take him to Red Robin because he likes hamburgers.
Me: I'm sure he'd love to go to Red Robin! Do I get to go?
Sophia: Mmmmm. I'll think about it.
Me: What? You have to think about it? I always got to come along before!
Sophia: Mom, I TOLD you, I'm gonna think about it.
Me: How long do you have to think about it?
Sophia: MOM! If you keep asking, you won't go!

Uh-oh. I think the tables just turned on me.

Liv and her Vroom

I've totally put this off. Here is a pic of Liv and her big birthday present. She calls it her Vrooom.

LUV Letters

Dear Sophie,

First off, let me set the record straight and remind you (again) that I AM the BABY. That's right, you lost that title once I blessed the world with my presence. As I'm sure you remember, the youngest sibling ALWAYS gets her way. I am reaching out to you in the hopes we can work this amongst ourselves and spare Mom from pulling her hair out in clumps again. (I don't know about you, but it's just downright embarrassing having to be seen out in public with that woman when she's frazzled.) Here is a list of my complaints:

-When I say I want Go, Diego, Go on OUR (not just yours) TV, it simply means that. The only required action is for you to slip that particular disc into the slot and press play. This does NOT mean you can say, "But don't you want to watch Lion King, Liv?" and nod as if I'm agreeing with you. NOT cool.
-Speaking of Lion King, what is this sick obsession you have with this movie? I am SO tired of having you replay that end scene in which Simba roars on Pride Rock after he defeats Scar just so you can perch up on the bed and lip sync the roar. That's just plain old weird. You need to quit it; it freaks me out.
-You also need to stop telling Mom to say, "Look, Liv, Sophie's sleeping. Why aren't you?" or "Look, Liv, Sophie's eating HER food." I am fully aware of your actions. Reminders of the sort do nothing whatsoever to entice me to follow suit. If I am not sleeping, it's because I damn well choose not to. Same goes for the food. Got it?
-This is a BIG issue with us...PINCHING. I am done with all of that, you hear me? Nothing else ruins my day more than when you step into MY bath (remember, you always say 'no, I don't want to take a bath right now,' but end up joining me anyway?) and just pinch the hell out of me when you want the toy that I am playing with! Need I remind you...my current age allows for SO much more leniency in the TIME OUT punishments than your big girl five years does. Next time you pinch me again, I'll go ballistic on you AND get away with it. Take your own bath by YOURSELF and leave me in peace!

Those are just a few gripes I have with you. It's really not that hard to just do what I want. I AM pretty simple with my requests. If you would prefer, we can sit down and have a nice civilized talk about this while Mom is doing the dishes tomorrow.

Love, Olivia

Warm Sunny Day

Living in Utah, we've learned to take advantage of every warm spring day since it has been known to snow a tad as late as June. Today, I ignored my household duties and instead focused on quality kiddie time. We strolled across the street to give Mister D some range time. He had been worried he wouldn't have any practice time before his junior golf league starts this summer. Afterwards, we walked over to the adjacent park and let the girls have their turn at fun.

I didn't realize until I started taking these pics that D makes this cute little funny face when he's in mid-swing. L says I shouldn't point it out to him as it will prove to be a distraction. But isn't it cute?

Little Liv claimed her own mat and quickly learned to set up her tee.

...although she did swing the opposite way...

Her fierce victory look. Grrrrr!

pretty girl

"It's not fair I can't hit it to the sign like Dylan!"

He was getting self-conscious, alright. I guess L was right...I shouldn't have told him about that face! hehehe

This girl somehow doesn't comprehend that the cam has an adequate zoom lens and that she needn't come any closer. Only a quarter of her face, and you can still tell she's gorgeous.

I know, I'm biased!

Liv strolling around like she owned the place.

Goofing off with the ball bag.

Liv chasing Mister D with her iron.

Sand angels, anyone?

Sleepwalking...Again

I guess tonight is quite an eventful night. First off, Sophie had a nightmare. Then, Mr. D takes a turn as well. He walks into my room, bleary eyed and scratching his belly and says this:

"Mom, do you think that the grass is...um...you know...like the grass is changed...so there's more space...like....um...they walk around with the space...and so I can watch it now?"

Uhhhh, yeah, sure, Dylan.

Happy Thoughts

I rushed to Sophie's bedside after hearing her cry.

Me: What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?
Soph: Yeah (still sobbing)
Me: What was it about?
Soph: I don't know.
Me: Were you scared?
Soph: Yeah.
Me: What do we do when nightmares scare us?
Soph: Think happy things.
Me: Yep. That's right. So we'll think of fluffy clouds...and rainbows...and chocolate...
Soph: And Toys r Us.
Me: I guess Toys r Us is a happy thought, isn't it? Okay, Toys R Us with all those toys like Barbies...and puzzles...and baby dolls...
Soph: Don't forget dinosaurs, mom. And lions. Dinosaurs and lions make me happy.
Me: Alright, sweetheart. Think of all your dinosaurs and lions and go back to sleep.

To each their own.

It's Worse

It's just one of those days. It hasn't even hit noon yet...and boy, oh, boy. I, in my infinite arrogance, assumed today would turn out on the opposite end of the spectrum. *Sigh* So, I decided to actually get up before Mister D left for school and cook him a decent breakfast (what an upstanding mother) since he has his end-of-year exams this week. Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, chocolate milk....pretty good so far.


We sit down at the table...Liv, our very own piggy devoured her share before I got a bite in mine. Apparently, her portion did not satisfy the bottomless pit that is her tummy, and she directed her attention to my plate. She ate that all as well. It gets worse...I decided to settle for a slice of banana bread instead since we were out of eggs. I sat down with my slice and a cup of coffee only to realize Liv was eyeing my meal with interest. She immediately helped herself to a mouthful. Oh, and it gets worse...she decided she didn't want it after all and deposited her regurgitated mush on top of the remainder of my intended breakfast.


And THEN...lovely Liv demonstrated her capacity for toilet training...she sat down, did her business and enjoyed the obligatory celebration her mother performs after a successful potty episode. Two minutes later after dressing her in her big girl panties, she insisted she needed to go again! I resisted at first, although the temper tantrum won out and I assisted her onto the seat once more. She danced with her bottom dangling above the bowl, clapped, and pointed at her hooha....but no official potty business. I kicked her off, since (TMI) I felt the urge to do some of my own business on the throne. She pitched a fit while I was in her favorite seat and kept insisting she still needed to go potty. UGH! I hate when I have to excrete with such an obnoxious distraction! Awful, huh? No, no wait! It gets worse. Apparently, her pleading proved true and she simply squatted in front of me (remember she's in her panties) and runs runny stinky poop down her legs and onto the bathroom rug.

And THEN...I managed to clean her and the bathroom up after cutting myself off (don't you hate that?) without upchucking my breakfast and set the tub to fill after she was rinsed off. After a bit, I decided it safe to continue my unfinished business. So there I was again, trying to collect the bits and pieces of my sanity and shove that awful sight I had to clean up previously, when I heard Liv say, "EEEEEW." I look up and there is that loose poop again, only this time it is floating in her bath water. Oh, no, no, WAIT! It gets worse! Sophie was in the bath with her!!! Oh, that's not even the worse part! I promise it is worse!!! SHE HAD CORN last night!

I can't wait to see what the rest of the day will bring! Wooohooo! Bring it on! It can't get worse that this.......right?

TULIP TIME

Best Birthday Party Ever

The girls had their official celebration at the local MyGym, which, btw, is a godsend, as I had absolutely no planning and/or party hosting to do. The staff had the kids engaged in circle play time and free play in the span of an hour and a half. It was a great day...although I wish Liv weren't so cantankerous. I had to hold her the majority of the time, and halfway in, she fell asleep on my shoulder.

Livy-Loh preparing to jump in the ball pit.

This,by far, is my fave pic of the day.

A rousing game of "clean the yard."

The birthday girl was dragged around on a birthday march. Is it obvious this chickity loves attention?

Cake time

There was a zip line!!!

Chicken Dance

A last happy birthday song for one of the celebrants (the other being fast asleep).

Miss Sophia is FIVE

Our birthday princess foiled my planned balloon extravaganza (I had wanted her to wake up to her own bedroom full of balloons) and insisted on sleeping in my bed the night before. Sooo, instead I tied a single balloon to her arm (and I checked on her often to make sure the string didn't pose a risk of strangulation) and filled the dining area with the rest. She was so tuckered out from a vigorous MyGym session the night before, she didn't even stir when I did it.

Baby girl was so thrilled with her little pink surprise, she came down the hallway with a big grin on her face, "Mom, I didn't know you put a balloon on me!"

She was even more thrilled to see what awaited her in the dining area.

That look is priceless!

Of course, Daddy's heart was breaking in Iraq since he couldn't be here to celebrate with his mini-me. He made sure to call so he could greet her and listen to her reaction to the e-card he sent her. L's always been so great with the children, always in tune to what appeals to them. In this case, he picked out a message that had a bunch of safari animals (Sophie is an animal freak) singing happy birthday. Here she is singing along after replaying it for the tenth time.

I also wrapped the present L picked out for her in brown mailing paper and marked it up like a real package. I left it outside earlier this morning. While L was on the phone, he asked her if the mailman had come to drop of his present for her. Turns out he did!

Next up, we had lunch with our friends at Applebee's. She was craving her favorite (two skewers of grilled shrimp).

She was thrilled when the staff presented her with an ice cream sundae and a loud happy birthday chant.

Next stop...girl time! This new place called Snip-its opened up and caters especially to young little girls. It is the cutest place! We opted for an updo and a mini manicure.

This place is genius! Every work station had a tv that played movies or video games to keep the kiddies occupied while their hair was getting taken care of. Here, Soph is watching Bambi and doesn't even notice the time going by.

Her hair done, here she is getting her nails manicured.

Pampering accomplished! Here is the after shot.

This stop was actually more of a treat for the mommas. Missus Hep and I strolled into the Red Mango Frozen Yogurt place next door and fell in love with their yogurt concoctions! PLUS, it was fat free! Can't beat that. It was so good, we went back for an after dinner repeat.

As I tucked in a tuckered out birthday girl to bed, I watched my now-five-year-old sleepily close her eyes and mumble, "Thanks for today, momma. It was the best ever."

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

I can't believe how fast it's all going by.