Baby, You Can Drive My Car
The celebration of Lulu continues with the newest dance recital video. Beware, adorable craziness ahead!
Six. Years. Old.
Dear Lucy,
Today you turned six years old, and as I say every single birthday, I just can’t fathom it. You’re six! SIX! At your dance recital on Friday my mom brought you my school picture from when I was six, and I almost started bawling. I remember so much about being six. For me, the picture brought back some not so nice memories of mean girls and bullying, but you thought it was amazing. Your mom was six once! I know, I don’t believe it either.
This year you’ve already dealt with some of the drama of life, learning about and having to navigate the issue of bullying yourself. At first I was shocked we had to talk about this at such a young age, but on the other hand, I’m honestly glad it happened how it did. You are still innocent and forgiving, and the girl who bullied you became a friend by the end of the year, mostly due to your open-hearted nature. You understand there are bad people in the world, but you want to help them. Your first reaction is never anger or hate, you always want to understand why and find a way to assist others. It’s really incredible. And it has been such a joy to watch.
You began and finished your first year of elementary school and, as expected, you were a star. You made wonderful friends and learned so very much. Tonight, before bed, you read me two books and yesterday you were doing math quizzes in the car. You spent most of your school year in an advanced math group, which is totally frightening since my math expertise lasts through about 8th grade level. By the time you’re in second grade I probably won’t even be able to help with your homework! Academically, you seem to be the perfect blend of your dad and I. You are creative and thoughtful, but also rational and methodical. I feel sorry for anyone who tries to get in your way.
This year we also explored the world of extracurricular activities, and, Lu, it has left your mama permanently scarred. I am not sure how I’m going to do this…to be a mom of someone so talented and lovely that she wants to be a part of everything out there. You did dance and soccer and swimming and rock climbing and you wanted to do so much more! I had to put my foot down when things were obviously too much, but you weren’t happy about it. You’ve informed me that next year you want to do dance, soccer, t-ball, singing lessons, piano lessons, art classes, rock climbing and Girl Scouts. I am exhausted just typing that sentence!
Lulu, this is all going too fast. Just yesterday your dad and I took you and your brother to a Royals game, and I took a photo of you sitting your dad’s shoulders. I immediately thought of a similar photo I’d taken a few years before and I couldn’t believe it. Now your legs are so long, they hardly fit into the frame! Your face is different and you have two loose teeth. You don’t want my help and you have chores and you don’t like me listening when you’re talking to your friends. You have a boom box and a favorite boy band and did I mention those loose teeth? You are a person now, a kid, with ideas and thoughts of your own. You have a life outside of your life with me, and that is terrifying.
But, luckily, I know you. You with the huge smile and the dimples by your eyes. You who almost always does the right thing. So I have to trust you. It’s hard, but I have to let you go just a little bit, so you can learn who you are. You are an incredible daughter, sister and friend. Just remember, I’m always up for a bedtime cuddle. I’m always here, Lulubelle. I love you.
Love,
Mama
Caps! Caps for Sale! 50 Cents a Cap!
Tate loves to read. He loves reading books more than eating, which is saying something, since that little guy will put down an entire pizza in one sitting if you let him. I’ve felt a bit guilty about the lack of reading time that Tate gets with me, especially in comparison to how much we read to Lulu when she was younger. But as everything is with two kids, it’s harder to find the time. So I was pleasantly surprised when Tate toddled up to me carrying a pile of books, handed them over and promptly sat down in my lap, ready to get to it.
Tate has a whole stack of books that he loves (top Tater Tot picks are Corduroy, Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Moo, Baa, La La La), but his favorite by far is Caps for Sale. This is endlessly entertaining for me, because it was one of my favorite books as a kid as well, and I fondly remember my parents reading it to me over and over, while I acted out the part of the monkeys who steal the poor peddlers caps. If you’ve never heard of it, the book premise is basically that a peddler who is selling caps falls asleep and wakes to find all of his caps have been stolen by a tree full of monkeys. He then yells at the monkeys and the monkey taunt him back by repeating everything he does.
The other day we realized that like myself and Lulu before him, Tate loved Caps for Sale, and loved acting out the parts where the monkeys make fun of the peddler. So when Trent heard us reading it before bed, he grabbed my iPhone and shot the video below. It makes me very happy.
Turns out, even though we didn’t read to him for 30 minutes each and every night, our little guy loves books just as much as his sister. That’s pretty rad.
And just for fun, here’s an old video of Lucy reading the same book when she was about two years old (the Caps for Sale part is at 2:28). Yeah, I’m crying now. Mah baby!!!
The Last Day of Kindergarten
Today is Lucy’s last day of Kindergarten and I have to say, I’m heartbroken. I’ve loved this year. This year Lucy has learned to read, learned addition/subtraction/some multiplication, loved P.E./art/music classes, had her first field day (photos below), cheered at her first high school football game, got her first report card, dealt with her first bully and had her first loose tooth. She started school knowing no one, and now roams the halls yelling “Hi!” and “Hola!” to everyone she passes. She fell in love with her first boy band and performed in her first talent show. She has grown and changed so much, but really, she’s the same. She’s still Lulu, my little nutball, my goofy girl, my heart. I’m so proud of her.
(To see the video of Lu shopping for school supplies at the beginning of the school year, click here. Here are our pictures from the first day of school…she’s grown so much! *tear*)
These Kinda Sunglasses
No joke, she seriously asked to put on my sunglasses and just started throwing rhymes like some sucker MC. This is why you have kids.
