Mommy Kahdib

Dear Emmie (51 months),

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Hi Ms. School Girl!

Preschool year two is going much smoother than preschool year one...well, I guess I just mean the start of the school year. Last year there was a day where I had to peel you off my leg and leave you angry and screaming crying with the teacher...this year on the first day you looked at me when you had been settled in for about 2 minutes and said, "K, mom, you can go now..." Maybe it was because we had an awesome morning that day together...we just started having Kathryn babysit on Tuesday mornings so we left her with Chase and we went and picked out a first day of school outfit and then we went to get you some shoes. Apparently the sparkly bright style is in this year because that was pretty much all that was on the walls. You picked out a really cute pair and then we put them on your feet, they're called "Twinkle Toes," only to find out that they have some AWESOME bright lights that flash...you said, "MOM, it's like a PARTY on my feet!!"

I thought maybe the next day you would be onto me and ask me to stay longer...but you did another, "MMmmmkay, bye! You should leave before Chase starts biting people..." So drop off has been easy! You still want your hug and a kiss and leave me with one...but you love your teachers and you're starting to talk more about who is who and who you played with. The director told me this year was more about friends whereas last year was all about the teachers and I can see that trend starting!

Sadly your middle of the night wakings are always in high gear when school first starts (usually just means you get up around 4am and climb into our bed)...it feels like when you were tiny and I would be gone for a wedding all day and you would nurse all night. They call it reverse cycling...at least we have a kind sized bed and you're easy company....you don't talk at all and just snuggle in close. Too bad sometimes that snuggling comes with some really cold toes...perhaps we should start putting socks on your feet.

I can't believe how fast you're growing and learning...you have some BOB books which you READ all by yourself...things like Dot has a hat. Dot has a dog. Dog has a rag hat. Etc...you sometimes try to make the sentence more complicated than it is making up your own version, "Dot is looking in the mirror at her beautiful hat with feathers..." HA! I think they're boring, too!! When I remind you to just read the words on the page you groan and say, "Oh all right...but my story is better." You also started to swim for about 10-15 seconds at a time without any assistance...no vest, no noodle, no mommy holding you. You were so so proud! And then a few days ago you came over with a piece of paper that said, "HOUSE," and a picture of a little house. You saw the word and copied it, knew what it said, and drew a picture of a house. Then the next day were BAR (bear) and RABT (rabbit) with pictures to go along with that.

You and Chase are playing more...actually you often pretend to be your Auntie Jenny and Chase is Uncle Scott and you go on many adventures together. Actually you've been going on adventures outside by yourselves while I cook dinner. I can see you out the window at the sink while you're at the swingset and you come to the backdoor with an announcement about every 2 minutes..."Scott is cold," or "Jenny is thirsty," or, "WE NEED A SNACK!" Actually that's usually what you and Chase say right before dinner...it's like hunger hits at 5pm and you can't possibly wait until 5:30pm when dinner will be ready and you both blow through a few cucumbers and tomatoes and then you both look at dinner and if it is something you like scarf it down...and if it's not on the hit list then you're both "full."

We have a pretty awesome list of books that we've read together...you're still into chapter books and we've finished a lot of Junie B. Jones books, and we've added some Ramona, you still talk about the BFG, and we just got the Boxcar Children and you loved it! We also read some of these weird fairy books about pet fairies that save the day...you loved them...I'd rather not read them so maybe we'll save those for when you're in 3rd grade reading on your own. We've also made a weekly habit of going to the library more and getting about 10 picture books, a new chapter book, a DVD each for you and Chase and some books on CD for the car. I am LOVING reading with you!

Hmmm...what else? I feel like so much happens day to day that I want to remember...funny little sayings or moments where we roll around on the floor laughing so hard I think we're both going to stop breathing...but then when I sit down here to write those little moments slip away and I can't remember them. Just know that everyday you amaze me and think of funny things to say or remember little things that I never would expect you to remember...you're just an awesome kid and I love you!!!

Love,
Mama