Kaitlyn's First Day of Preschool!

How is it possible that my baby is in PRESCHOOL? While I contemplate that, here are some pictures from our day...


Getting ready to leave


Her big girl backpack. It's huge. But it's princess and she loves it.


I love walking her to school. My dad used to walk me to school everyday. Isn't it strange when you do something with your children that your parents used to do with you as a child? That sense of nostalgia is enough to make me laugh and cry all at once.

As we made our way to the school she was running and screaming "Faster, faster, more, more!!!" Then she told me her stomach felt funny and she needed to stop running. Isn't that a nice story?


She obliged me long enough to hold still next to her Daddy and brother long enough for me to snap a picture.






I suppose the rest of my life will be filled with moments like these. Moments where I am smiling on the outside, and my heart is breaking just a little on the inside. I know it's going to be good...for both of us. I know why I am doing it. And I know she already loves it. But something about that independence, about that desire to explore her world and have new experiences, without me, makes my heart ache.


And there she goes. *sigh*

Why Do I Bother?

Why do I bother arguing with a two year old? Seriously? How do I allow myself to get pulled into a verbal altercation with someone who until recently pooped in a diaper? Some of you may be laughing but this is my week this week. Today Kaitlyn and I were at Target and I was trying on a shirt in the dressing room. I asked her to sit down and stop yelling and anyway, here's the official transcript of our conversation...

Me: Kaitlyn please stop yelling and sit down on that stool

Kaitlyn: I caaaaaaaaaan't (insert whiny voice here)

Me: Yes you can and if you do not listen you will get a spanking

Kaitlyn: No I can't get a spanking, just don't have to

Me: Kaitlyn you will get a spanking if you continue not to listen and continue arguing

Kaitlyn: I'm NOT arguing!

I'm the boss...right?

So lately I have been receiving a bit of backtalk from my daughter. I have recently started telling her "Kaitlyn, don't tell me no." Here's a conversation between Kaitlyn and I at the dinner table the other night...

Me: "Kaitlyn, no, don't do that with your fork."

K: "Mama, don't tell me no."

Me: "No, you don't tell me no."

K: "No YOU don't tell Meeee no."

Me: Kaitlyn, I am going to tell you no because I'm the Mom and I'm the boss."

K: "No, I'mmmm the boss! You not the boss!"

*Sigh*