Loose Tooth

This girl finally lost her 3rd tooth! She's been wiggling it around for weeks now, and she finally pulled it out. In classic sentimental fashion, she wrote a note requesting that the Tooth Fairy leave her tooth and give her money anyway. The Fairy obliged. 

How could she say no to this sweet (toothless) face?

Coming up: the upper "two front teeth" tooth is loose. 

Cade: Last Day of 3s

So, today completes the 3's class for Cade. I can't believe it. He's so excited for summer break, but we're all going to miss Ms. Jennifer who is moving to Germany in the Fall. 

We put together a farewell gift from the class and presented it to Ms. Jennifer at the end of the day on the playground: 

(That's Cade's hand in the bottom left hand corner. While Ms. Jennifer was getting tearful, he was instructing her to look at the Target gift card pasted to the back of the frame.)

It's all so bittersweet for me, but I think this is one of the most dramatic first and last day of school photos I've ever seen. This is one special boy:

The Irises

Aunt NaeNah asked me to recreate a photo with Lyla from 3 years ago. Here it is...it kind of takes my breath away. While a part of me wants to reach into the 2013 photo and grab up my baby, it is so exciting to watch Lyla growing up:

Here are a few other quick pics we took:

A Visit from Violet

Lyla's elementary school experience has really harkened back so many experiences of my own. She's officially entered the span of time that I remember vividly in my own life.

I was so happy to get together with Tara & Violet today and watch how beautifully our little girls (and boy) played together.  Listening to our girls together brought back so many happy memories of when it was Tara and I laughing until my belly ached. 

Sweet, sweet days, these are. 

Violet is a very special presence. I've never seen anyone play so cooperatively with both Lyla & Cade, including everyone, all the time. She's going to do something really wonderful in this world. I'm sure of it. 

Night Bug

This boy showed up in our bed last night, which I refer to as turning into a "night bug", a reference to Cade's bug fascination. We've been pretty opposed I this kind of thing in the past, but there's no pattern to it, it doesn't happen often, so when it does, I just pull back the covers and let him in.

This morning, when I asked if he had a bad dream, he said, "No, I just needed someone to cuddle up with."

I suppose we all need that sometimes, and I'm going to cuddle up with this night bug as long as he'll let me. 

Zoo Day

We had such a good time on Cade's zoo field trip today that he was genuinely sad when it was over. Sad and tired. Here he is on the way home: 

It was so lucky that Lance could be there today and was able to ride the bus with Cade this morning. Cade had a great time with his friends on the bus:

Cade was so excited he was up at 6 am and couldn't wait to see the gorillas. The weather was perfect...the days and days of Spring rain we've had finally ceased, and the sun came out for awhile. It was the perfect day for walking the hilly Louisville Zoo, eating lunch from a big boy lunch box and playing a Cade-initiated game of hide and go seek. Here are some photos:

They're such a sweet group of kids. It's hard to believe the year is almost over. Cade loves his class so very much.

Spring Carnival

It was a perfect Spring evening to attend Lyla's Spring Carnival at her school. We left so happy, with Lyla asking repeatedly, "Can we go back next year?"

We played games, ran into countless friends from Lyla's beloved kindergarten class and watched Lyla & her friends chase bubbles. It reminded me of the magic of the Fall Festival from my own elementary school years ago. 

Here's a few photos:

 Cade's favorite part of the evening was sitting in a fire truck, along with antagonizing Lyla and her friends:

Our Daisy!!

We've recently joined a Girl Scout troupe in...Lyla was so excited because her friend Maya is in the same troupe. It's been a very special experience so far, and we're looking forward to more involvement next year as this year is winding down.

The end of the year party was held at Sisters Teahouse, and it was a sow yak night focused on manners with a very special surprise guest: Miss America 2000! She made a sweet presentation to the girls, and ultimately let them try on her crown.

Our Daisy was so excited to receive her blue vest...I don't think she understand what Miss America is yet. 

Lyla is full of self confidence these days. The Teahouse staff made a wonderful presentation on manners, and asked the girls for ideas re: examples of good manners. Lyla raised her hand in a room filled with 3rd grade girls and said, "Good manners means getting dressed up for a special occasion."

She is our Daisy, well beyond her years. Here are some photos: 

Muffins with Mom

Today was Muffins with Mom at the preschool. I love these days so very much and treasure each one of them as I know how fleeting they are. Cade has one more full year of preschool, and I'm going to treat each day we have left as a gemstone. I have so deeply loved our preschool experience. It has been such an important stepping stone for all four of us.

We had a great time today in Cade's class - he was so interested in showing me the ice cream stand Ms. Jennifer made for his classroom. My photo is not the best because I didn't think to take if until after Ms. Jennifer announced it was almost time for the moms to leave. Cade had a moment of regression, at one point telling me that I shouldn't have come if I knew I was going to leave.

One very long kiss later, and Cade gave in...and reluctantly walked with Ms. Jennifer to begin his day. 

This boy is so special...the other day I found myself getting emotional and admitted to him that sometimes mommy feels a little sad because he & Lyla are growing up. He looked up at me and said, "Growing up isn't sad, mommy, growing up is really fun!"

He's a smart, smart boy. 

Lunch with Lyla

Cade & I visited Lyla for lunch at school today. It was chaotic as always, but never dull. She has developed quite a close set of friends, and lunch is a time they all love. 

Cade likes going too, although he's a little afraid of Ms. Sherry, the lunch lady who very sternly redirected him one day when he tried to stand on a lunchroom seat. 

Here are a few (silly) photos because it was a silly day!!