Today Alyssa’s school was dressing up as community workers. She really wants to work at Publix (our grocery store) when she grows up, but Ethan didn’t think that was a community worker. I told Ethan I could get a night job at Publix the other day and Alyssa said, “No, Mommy. I am going to work at Publix.” Well today we convinced her to be a nurse. But she wanted to be Karen. So here is Nurse Karen.
We decided to try something new for ’08. I have talked about cutting Alyssa’s hair for a while. When I wanted to do it, Daddy said no. When Daddy approved, I didn’t want to. So today, we agreed and even convinced Alyssa it would be fun. We let her pick where we ate lunch, she choose Moe’s, and then we sat with the rest of the kids in Franklin for a haircut. Daddy and I were both nervous, but we are so happy with the results. Alyssa likes it too, but is worried that it is growing too fast and it will not be short anymore.
Alyssa had her Christmas Program at school this week. She had sung the songs for me, but I had visions of her 2 year old program in my head. That would be her walking down the aisle grasping her teacher’s hand, then begin to cry as soon as she saw me. She never recovered for that program, but she did GREAT this time. We were so proud of her. And Megan loved watching her. If you listen to the video closely, you can hear her laugh a few times and say “sissssss”. It was so funny. I am not sure she actually saw her, but she most have known she was up there. As we were walking to her reception, I told her she did awesome and I was so proud of her. And she said, “Yeah, mom, I didn’t cry and run off the stage like you thought I would.” I replied, “Who said that? I never said that! (to your face)” I guess it is true that they are always listening. We missed not having her grandparents there to cheer her on, but thanks to Amanda and Mallory for supporting our girl.
Alyssa and Daddy went on their first date. She wanted to get dressed up and wear a dress and the red glitter, Dorothy shoes. (I thought maybe this one time she can wear them out. ) They went to Daddy’s favorite restaurant in downtown Franklin and then went shopping to buy some jibbets for her crocs. I am glad someone gets a date with Daddy.
Alyssa had her first art show at school this week. It was so cool. They had done some really good stuff and even helped hang it all on the wall. One picture is of her by her flowers. They were told to cut out the pieces, could not draw out anything, then assembled them all together by herself. I was impressed with that artwork. She also had a family picture. I love that Megan still has hair that stands up – like it did when she was younger, and that Noah is always in the sky with brown hair. It was a fun occasion to see what she does at school and meet her infamous friend, Keely.
There is a video of Alyssa telling her bible stories.
This is an 11mb file and runs 7 minutes. But very cute and worth watching to see how much kids really listen. Thanks to her Daddy who reads her Bible stories all the time.
That was the best way to explain soccer last year.
But this year, was a different. I knew going to the game today that things were different. It is amazing how much Alyssa has changed and matured in a year. There was a big difference in my 3 yr old and my 4 yr old. She did great today. She ran and followed and kicked and smiled. I could not have asked for a better day. Check out the video and pics. Alyssa is in orange with the white shoes 🙂
Today is Alyssa’s first day of her last year of preschool. She was so excited she woke up at 6:30 asking me to help get her pajama shirt off so she could get dressed. After she was dressed we laid in her bed and read “Froggy Goes to School.” This morning was very pleasant and she was really looking forward to school. We had breakfast and Daddy went with us to drop her off. Today was Alyssa’s first day, but it is actually the third week of school for everyone else. It was nice that everything was routine for everyone and not a lot of crying kids. We followed her down the stairs to her green classroom. When I drop her off in the morning, they will open the door for her and she walks down to her class by herself. She walked in and greeted her other 5 classmates. Ha. Yes, five. Ms. Carmen showed her where she could put her stuff and it just so happened to have Noah’s name on the space. How cool is that. She did great. Gave us all hugs and kisses and went to play.
Mom: “How was your first day?”
Alyssa: Good. We learned about Noah’s Ark, but “I already knew all that.” We talked about the color red, the circle and the letter C. I even learned how to do a C in sign language. (With only 6 kids, they each get a special job each day.) I got to pass out the napkins for snack time. We had cheese and crackers, but the cheese was yucky. Keely said she liked it though, but I didn’t. I sat by Keely (the only other girl in her class) most of the day. During music time, they played the Veggie Tales, Noah and the ark song and I knew that one. But they sang other songs that I didn’t know. And we didn’t get to go outside because it was too hot.
At least she didn’t just say “Fine.”
I promise, I did not teach her to pose like that (the red outfit). But somehow, I think I would feel better if she had actually learned that from me. Today, we spent part of the day upstairs just playing. The play room has not been assembled into anything that looks like Pottery Barn and I guess probably never will, but it drives me a bit crazy that the toys are just everywhere. The good news is that we know no one, so I don’t have to worry about having my house “put together”. Anyway, we were upstairs and with all the toys out, Megan was occupied for a good hour. Meanwhile, Alyssa was playing dress-up. I couldn’t help but photograph this and I think the picture says enough. I think she is getting bored of just hanging out with me and actually said she is ready for school now. I think they hit an age where they are just better off away from you for several hours a day. I swear we bought this house because the neighborhood was full of kids, but I haven’t met any yet. Megan on the other hand is just content chewing on all Alyssa’s toys.
Other than this silliest we are good. Surprisingly not too lonely yet. I guess it just feels like all our friends are on vacation or something. Soon it will hit that they are not coming back.
Man, I look at Megan and cannot believe she is 8 months old … but I really cannot believe Alyssa (my baby) is 4 years old. 4 years of hugs, kisses, giggles, jokes, books, and playing together. I look at her and almost cannot remember her as a baby and a young toddler. I see pictures and think, “was that her?” The time has gone so fast.
We celebrated her actual birthday on the 4th at home. She picked out a rainbow cake from Kroger and we gave her a new bike. Then we had her party this weekend. It was a carnival theme. Usually I don’t go overboard on the theme thing, but it was fun this time. Ethan even got into it and decorated the driveway with streamers and balloons as you entered the carnival. The kids played games and won prizes. We ended with a pinata that could only be smashed by Braden, Alyssa’s 10 yr old cousin. Who might I add plays baseball. It took him about 4 or 5 hits to smash it up. Once the friends had gone, the cousins each got a balloon to send to Noah. It is beautiful to watch every time. Pics