K-4 ~ Where does time go?

Here is my punkin' heading out the door for her first day of K-4!

She was so excited and gave me a big thumbs up!

We were about to walk into her class and this was a look like, "Alright, mommy! Just one more!"

She did so good! It was familiar to her this year since she went there last year for K-3. She walked in, gave me a hug and a kiss and walked to her friends to play. I felt bad for feeling like she should have cried. :(

Growing up is hard on mommies.

Happy Birthday Butterfly

From this... To this...

So quickly!

Wings

If I could, I would give you wings

to lift you way up in the air,

And you could find the rainbow's end,

because wings would get you there.

If I could, I would give you wings

to carry you out of the storm.

They would take you higher than the wind,

and you would be safe and warm.

Wings, little wings,

in the wink of an eye

Soon your little wings will be big enough to fly.

If I could, I would give you wings

to lighten your heart through the years.

They would flutter soft around you then

and dry up all your tears.

Wings, little wings

in the wink of an eye.

Soon your little wings will be big enough to fly.

I tucked you in last night with tears running down my cheeks. Some would think I'm silly, but you are turning 4 today. This is a big deal to me. You are now leaving "toddler-hood" and moving into the next stage of your sweet life. The 1's, 2's and 3's we will never get back. We only have those memories, but I embrace the joys, tears, frustration (smile) and everything else that comes with the future years. You will always be my baby, but you are now my little girl.

You, my sweet E, bring joy like none we've ever known! The responsibility to parent you is overwhelming so often...in that I know you don't truly belong to us. You are God's child and He loaned you to us while we are on this earth. He trusted me as your mother and daddy as your father. We are not and never will be the perfect parents, but we strive every day to please Him as we "raise you up in the way you should go."

I know that as we seek His direction, you will indeed fulfill the dreams that fill your little mind through the years. You will grow from the little precious caterpillar that curls up in my lap each night for prayer into the colorful butterfly that lives in the perfect will of God!

Lord, help us as the parents of this angel to never damage or hold her wings back. Equip us to do everything we can in this upcoming year and every one thereafter to prepare those wings to fly.

Happy Birthday E! Mommy and Daddy love you sweet baby girl.

Week of Firsts

So this has been a great week for us! It's been busy, but Spring is in the air (for now) and we are loving this beautiful GA weather!! At the moment, the skies are as blue as can be, there is a cool breeze blowing. I can hear the sound of people moving around and working outside - finding an excuse, like me, to get out if only for a few minutes. Something about days like this just call and beckon you to come out and bask in the beauty of God's gorgeous creations!

We have had some firsts this week and it's been neat. E brought home her very first progress report on Tuesday, which was WONDERFUL, by the way. The reports from her teacher have been so positive and outstanding and I can't wait to reward her for this. Her choice for her reward is Chuck E. Cheese, of course! We're going to make a big deal of this!

The small things that we will be working to teach her or for her to improve upon are manipulating zippers, buttons and snaps a bit better. I've spoiled her in that area because as you mommies know, it's just easier to do it myself!

So, today, she had her first school Valentines party and exchanged her little valentines with her school mates. It's so sweet. This is what I walked into the party and saw:

Chocolate face... This is the only time she even touched the cheese sandwich in hand. Like any smart person would do, she chose the chocolate cupcake over that.

Do they not look like they are teenagers... the way he is posing? This is one of her best buddies that goes to school and church with her. He is Mr. Personality and adorable!

Look at this face!!


I love this! She doesn't like to post for pictures much, but when you have her get in a picture with another child, she loves it!

My little school girl.

After coming home with all of her Valentines goodies, we dug straight in for the sugar! Another first? She enjoyed her very first Fun Dip. I should have gotten a picture. I had to teach her how to do it and she was in sugar heaven. I think she got almost every grain of Fun Dip powder that she could, although about a tablespoon of it ended up on the floor.

I also signed her up for K-4 this week. It's unreal how fast this first year of pre-school is flying by. I hope this isn't a sign of how quickly we will arrive at elementary, junior high and high school. Oh.My.Word!

Happy Thursday before Valentines!

Peers

So I didn't expect the "peer" problem to come as early as 3 years old. But, it has. It is proving to be tough too.

How do you best explain to a toddler that she needs to be careful who she plays with without teaching her at this young age to quit talking to someone or to be ugly to someone?

I have caught myself wondering, "Why is it my child that is being affected by another?" "Why can't I just hear of it happening to someone else instead?" I know that is totally selfish of me and the fact is...I trust that the Lord knows that we, as her parents, will seek Him in this matter and let Him show us what to do. Maybe some other kid's parents would deal with it in a way that wasn't appropriate ~ or worse ~ maybe they wouldn't deal with it at all! I know that a lot of parents ignore things that shouldn't be ignored and/or just brush it off thinking the situation will go away. Only to find out that the learned behavior - never corrected - has become a major issue.

I am an overprotective mother. We are overprotective parents. There...I said it. I am proud of the fact. We are living in 2009 and you have to be that way! For example, we don't do magic...We don't support magic or watch things that get all into it. Unfortunately most children's shows have some element of it in there, which can't completely be avoided. But, we are careful of what her little ears hear; eyes see; etc.

See, E doesn't belong to us. She is His. He has just trusted her little life to us and expects us to care for her as best we can. We aren't perfect at it and never will be, but we strive to do what we feel is in her best interest. Physically, mentally, spiritually, and every other "~ally!"

Therefore, we teach our child to love everyone and if she is anything like I was growing up, she will be burdened for those children that are different; the one's that don't have the popular things that others have; the one's that no one else talks to; etc. I was one of those that was friends with everyone. I was best of friends with the popular kids and turned around and spent the weekend with "that girl." It didn't bother me! I disliked cliques and still do.

So I tread very lightly on the issue of "not playing with so & so" until she can better understand my reasons behind it. I will certainly not tread lightly when it comes to being a teenager and hanging with the wrong crowd...then, it will be different.

Now though, at the time when she is learning life's little lessons...She is learning to show everyone love and to be a friend to her little classmates, I am at a loss. We have reconciled with the fact that she is His and her little spirit needs to be protected from some things. Yes, she will be exposed to all sorts of things on this heathen earth, but I am Mama and during these pre-school days, I'll stand in the way!

My name is Stacey Baker and I am an overprotective mother. :)

3 or 13?

On the way to school this morning, E said, "Mommy, you don't walk me to my class today ok?" "I just go in."

"You don't want me to take you in your class E?"

"No, I big gul now." "You can take me tomowow."

"I can't walk you in this morning?"

"Well, um, you can jus talk to my teacher and then you have to go bye-bye. Okay?"

So we came down the stairs and rounded the corner to her room. I turned to sign her in and she went straight to her class and never even said goodbye. Didn't even look back.

Wait a minute!!...I thought this wouldn't happen for at least 10 more years! She is only 3 people!

I am proud of her, yes. But, I left there feeling so sad and wanting my child to cry. (Twisted huh?)

There's always tomorrow right? :c)

Chapters of Life

Before:

Would you say someone was happy for her first day of school? This picture says it all.

She couldn't wait. Me? I felt like it was my first day of school. I was a ball of nerves - stomach in knots, nervous energy, feeling like I was going to wet my pants.

The day had arrived. She was there and I was here...feeling as I feared...lost without her around. Yes, it's only 3 hours a day and to most of you reading, I must sound ridiculous. But, it's not the time she's gone. It is the fact that she was gone - to her first day of school.

I was one emotional mama the night before as she played in the tub. The realization that it was my last full day of her being home with me; the last day of a very long, yet wonderful chapter. Yes, we've closed and opened mini chapters with her through the years, but this is a big one.

It is only the first of many big ones though. In two years, we close the preschool chapter and then comes that bad word...kindergarten. Then will come middle school, high school and even college.

Of course there are other chapters like now...the thought of boys and boyfriends mean nothing to her. Right now, her daddy and granddaddy are the only "boys" that make her "heart go up" as I used to say when I was little. But, the time will certainly come when she is boy crazy and then someday...that one boy will steal her heart away and carry our little girl off to be his wife.

So, chapters open and close & come and go. They are hard to face at times. Other times they are just extremely exciting. But they are what our lives are made of.

And all that talk about somebody carrying my baby girl off to be his wife?...Well, I think I'd rather stick with dropping her off at preschool for now. You know ~ while she's still happy to see her mommy at the end of the day.

***

After:

*** The day was a success. She did great! I held it together pretty well too I think. This was her sound asleep...all tuckered out after a long day at s.c.h.o.o.l. ***

It's Almost Here

It was inevitable...the first day of preschool. I knew it was coming, but how did it get here so quickly?

One week from tomorrow, my sweet baby will approach the front doors of her brand new school. Her little bookbag over her shoulders and her little hand wrapped tightly around my fingers...I will hand her over to the care of someone...other than myself...people that I trust, but neverthelesssss - someone/anyone that isn't me.

This will be the start of a whole new world of learning. A week full of lessons that mommy wouldn't be good at teaching - that patience thing you know? Thank God for teachers!

I don't know what she'll do. I'm sure she'll cry and without a doubt - yes, I certainly will. I will be determined to fight the tears until I've reached the parking lot again. But, my mornings will be so different.

I am afraid that as I pull away, I will feel so lost. So scared. So excited. So relieved for a little "me time" yet so anxious for the pick up time to roll around.

I have a whole week now to dread and look forward to this all at the same time.

...And people - this is only pre-school! What will I do on the first day of kindergarten?

Oh and did I mention it's only for 3 hours a day?