Not sure why, but...

Eli ate pizza tonight...WITH the cheese on it...
WITH. THE. CHEESE. ON. IT.

There were no complaints, proddings, bribes...
No shrieks about a microscopic piece of cheese still lingering on the crust...

Just a room full of strangers (and a few friends) in Chloe's school cafeteria.
Curriculum night...PTA Back to School Dinner...

He sat at the big lunch table and ate his pizza...BOTH SLICES...with the cheese on them.

Big night. Big deal. Big boy.
So. so proud of you, Buddy.

Chloe's #6 Party Pics

Her first sleepover!

(this picture should be at the bottom...to be sequential...but it is here instead.)

Sharing Hello Kitty cupcakes with her classmates

Boa Bowling with Eli, Abi, and Ali

Sometimes waiting your turn is super duper hard.

All on her own.

Such a poser.

The girls.

Ready for cake!
(DQ ice cream cake by request)

Such a funny six year old!

Eli helping with breakfast.

Kevin is the KING of cool pancakes!

A very happy Birthday Girl!

Chlo, we love you.

You are growing into such a lovely little lady. This year has a lot of change in store for you, and you are ready! We will be right by your side, cheering you on!

You are one very special girl, and we are blessed to be your Mama and Daddy!

My Luke

Eli is missing his best buddy these days.

a.k.a. My Luke.

They have been BFFs almost since conception.

Luke's parents, Scott and Lisa, lived with us in the apartment behind our house while we were pregnant with the boys. So, while they were unaware, they were destined to be friends.

Born 25 days apart.

Separated only by a few miles once they moved to their first house.

Played together at least once a week for their whole lives.

But, now Luke lives in Scotland.

Only he doesn't.

He lives in Portland. But Eli is certain that it is Scotland...

and we need to get on an airplane and go to his house so that they can play trains together.

Missing them so. so. much.

*Pictures taken in April 2010. One of their many days of discovery.

Big Mistake

Some unsolicited advice:

When potty training your child, DO NOT buy a candy that YOU love as rewards.

Dark Chocolate Peanut M&Ms = BIG MISTAKE.
Can. not. stop. eating them.

Retro Blogging...GO!

Doing some retro blogging as promised...
Click on the month of July for a while for updates on our time in Washington.

Meanwhile...back at the ranch...
Somebody turned 6 this weekend. 6.
Can. not. believe it!

Hope to get that up on the blog soon too.

Teaser...
Boa bowling. Hello Kitty. Sleep over.
Pure 6 year old fun.

"Best Day of My LIFE!"

These were Chloe's first words after school today...
Something about the library, Book Buddies, and magic and making a mess in the library...
It was THE BEST!!

Even though I don't have a clue what she is talking about...I will take it.
Absolutely. Take it.

*I should note that Friday was also the best day of her life...at least aspects of it.
Fun Friday in gym class to be exact.
Coach let them do whatever they wanted after they finished their exercises...
She chose to DANCE!

_________________________

Also...her birthday is coming up in four days.

Her birthday list:

IPod Touch. (get in line)

Nintendo DS

Camera

American Girl Doll

Kevin added it all up and decided for about $1,300.00 we could make her birthday wishes come true. He said he could sell his car and then get her gifts...

She thought that was a GREAT idea!

Tidbits...

Not getting a whole lot of info from C about her days at school...
Not getting much info from anyone for that matter...

What we have gleaned:

- Juan Carlos has cried all day for the past 3 days
- Tadpoles can grow legs in a day and become frogs overnight.
- C and 2 other girls played Beauty Shop at recess...they did oneanother's hair
(or they did Chloe's...theirs is in tight braids and beads...maybe I should try to apologize to their moms if C did anything to their hair...)
- The class is LOUD. (C can not WAIT for rest time...for some QUIET!)
- Money is the dirtiest thing ever. You should wash your hands after touching it.
- Stephanie is sweet.
- Ella is tiny.
- We MUST NOT ever forget Rosebud (current fave stuffed animal) at home again. Ever.
- "R.E.D. spells red. Firetrucks are red. Stop signs are red too. R.E.D. I can spell red.
(the actual tune and words are a little off I am guessing...but she can indeed spell red.)
- C must not be hungry at lunch...because it has returned almost untouched for the past 3 days. Nerves?

_________________________

I fear it may be official...
I am one of THOSE parents.
I thought I swore I wouldn't be...and maybe I won't be soon...
But currently...I AM one of those parents.
Ugh.

Chloe, When you read this years and years from now...after you have developed into this amazingly brilliant and captivating young woman...please know that all my crazies were, in fact, love in disguise. I am confident that at this point my stressing about your Kindergarten experience is but a vague memory...and you had a fabulous year. But maybe when you read this...you will see into your Mamma's heart and see just how much we wanted the very BEST the Lord had for you from the very beginning. And letting you go into this great big world is and always will be a challenge and a joy...

_________________________

And in effort to pretend that my life does not revolve around all things Kindergarten...

Eli walked into the room yesterday with the kiddie toilet seat on his head.
That is how well potty training is going.