Happy Birthday Princess V

*After reading What Color is Monday? I decided to start writing letters to the kids on their birthday. I hope to one day put them all in a book that will serve as a keepsake for them and help them remember these special times of childhood. 

My Dear Princess V,

I believe I've spent the last 2 weeks in wonder as I really looked at how big you've become. Where did my little baby girl go? My child who called me mom for the first time - and now calls me Ma-Maw?  I've begged you and tickled you, pleading for you to stop growing, but you have informed me you can't just stop. You have to keep growing like your Aunt Amanda.

It wasn't easy becoming a Mom for the first time. I had no idea what I was in for, but we learned together - and we're still learning. We read poems, sang songs, and laughed hysterically with you as we dropped a toy in your lap that had a little bell in it. I still don't know why you thought that was funny, but you loved it. Over and over again we'd pick it up and drop it in your lap.

You have been going to school for quite some time now. When you were 4 you started at preschool and learned how to play with other kids, and learned new nursery rhymes. At 5 you went to Head Start preschool in Clearfield where you learned about how buildings are built, and how to take care of books. Letters and numbers were introduced more in depth as well.
At age 6, you began Kindergarten and made you first best friend. You two were inseparable, and I loved it. You started to read simple sight words, and short books. But you were still my baby, my little girl.

This year you began 1st grade. I have been so excited for you to make more friends, and continue learning important life skills. This last week though, you have made me shout for joy inside, and cry with happiness, because you have found a love for reading. Something you didn't care so much for before. But what really makes me smile is your choice of book - The Book of Mormon. I am so proud of you Princess V, for choosing such an important book to carry around with you, and read. You beg us to read more scriptures at night, and I hate saying no, but your siblings aren't ready to sit still for that long. So I encourage you to read in bed at night. I even made sure you got a light this year for your birthday so you can read into the night.

You turned 7 yesterday. We had a party on Saturday, and Nana and Opah came for dinner and cake on Sunday. I took a little time to spend just you and me though. We took out your new scooter, and the camera and went for a walk. I love you so much pretty girl.

When we got back from our walk I showed you all the pictures I took and this was your favorite. You loved that I turned the camera and thought it looked "cooler". I love it too, because you've got your smile on. Never lose that smile. Wear it all the time.

Happy Birthday my Princess - Love Mom

Crawling and a Haircut

I can't believe Prince L is already trying to crawl. He gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth. Yesterday he even pushed himself into a sitting position. Since then he's been sitting without falling over. Kind of hoping the crawling waits until our new house, but I doubt he'll wait another 2-3 weeks.

 

And Princess V and I got haircuts today. We both had enough to donate! Woohoo

 

Potty Training...oi vey!

Well looks like we're going to potty train Princess R by the end of the year. We tried to start last week unsuccessfully. We were sitting on the potty every 30 minutes, yet she still managed to have 3 accidents. No biggie one would think. We expect accidents while potty training. Our problem was, Princess R didn't seem to be aware of the accidents. Rather than telling me she wet, or pooped, she just continued sitting in it, and playing. So I threw in the towel for the week.

Bringing us to a few nights ago. Kids are in bed, King Dad and I finished up watching the VP debate, and were on our way to bed. As I head to our bedroom I notice a "used" (worn, but not actually used) diaper sitting on the floor. I grab it, thinking King Dad must have changed Princess R, and forgot to throw out the diaper. That's when I notice it was still dry. So I ask the King about it, and he's just as confused as me.

Awe drat! Princess R must have taken her diaper off herself. She loves to run around "free".  I debated over checking to see if she has a diaper on.  Finally settling on the fact that I don't want to clean and air a mattress out in the morning, I go check. Sure enough, no diaper, BUT she did have on Rapunzel Underwear. Oh joy. King had bought her some in hopes to get her to potty train, and she has been in love with them.

So  here I sit now, trying to potty train a girl who wants to be a big girl, but also fights it pretty hard. It's going to be a long week!

She has woken up dry most mornings, but if I don't get her right on the potty, she doesn't bother to tell me she needs to go, and well....

We're taking it slow, sitting on the potty when I can remember to take her, or when she requests to. Some days are successful, some are not. I have a feeling she will be potty trained soon though. The other 2 princesses waited until they were 3 years old, so this is the soonest we've done it.

6 months

Prince L is 6 months old!!  I can't hardly believe it. Half a year has gone by since this little boy stole my heart.

We're working on sitting up. We manage to get a few seconds in before face planting. This usually results in a fit of giggles as I sit him back up.  The time he spends sitting up gets increasingly shorter, as he finds it funnier to flop over.

He rolls over a lot, but has figured out there might be a better way to get around. Right now, it's sort of like an inch worm, as his bum comes up and he propels himself forward, and sometimes backwards. Crawling is on the horizon for this little dude.

Princess V is 6!

My little girl is not so little anymore. We celebrated her 6th birthday over the weekend with family.

Wearing her Happy Birthday hat from Kindergarten. We took mini berry cupcakes to share with her class.

WHOA! She gets so excited, I love it!

Just some of her favorite Aunts, celebrating the day with us.

Ice cream cone popsicle molds? Awesome!

Sitting with cousin M to blow out candles.

Happy Birthday my dear sweet Princess V. Nana and I had a fun time picking out this cake to match your girly personality.

 

Later in the evening King Dad and I took her out to one of her favorite restaurants - Applebees. Where she was sung to, and ordered a cookie sundae, that was way bigger than pictured on the menu. She loved every bite of it.

(pictures are on phone of that....I'll eventually figure out how to upload them)

Kindergarten

Princess V started Kindergarten yesterday! I can't believe my oldest is that old. It's only half day school, so we take her right after lunch and pick her up 3 hours later. It was actually pretty nice, because Prince L got his nap in, and I got to spend some quality time with Princess C and Princess R.

Starting a new tradition. First day of school sign.

Come one mom, let's go!

So hard to be patient. Why won't they open the doors?!

Found my name! Right between 2 boys, her favorite.

It's raining it's pouring

It's Raining

It's Pouring

Princesses are Dancing

Umbrellas are Open

 

Just a few of my favorite pictures.

and some more for fun

Of course Prince L and I had to have some fun too

 

Our neighbor walked over with her little girl and introduced herself. She was really nice, and we enjoyed chatting while the kids played. Soon the rain stopped and the mud was being flung. When it started going through the screen door, though, I called it quits. I'm sure my neighbor thinks we're nuts getting covered in mud, but maybe not. She was laughing the whole time, and seemed to enjoy my lazy laid back free style parenting.

Oh and she knows of 2 dance teachers in the area. One is a studio, the other is out of a basement. She was going to call and bring me the info tomorrow! YAHOO! I'm so excited for the girls to have dance again. They really love it.