Stories of my girls......

Vanessa is really starting to talk. One of my favorite conversations is when I tell Vanessa I love her. She answers "very much". My heart aches from the sweetness of my girl.

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I ask Natalie how school went. She won't tell me anything until much later when things begin slipping out gradually. As we eat dinner she mentions her fear of the monkey bars at recess. As I get her out of the bath she tells me about the book the librarian read to them and the accompanying puppet show. As we pack her lunch she tells me about sharing her cookies with her fifth-grade friend on the bus on the way home. I never push her, but by the end of the evening I usually feel that I have the gist of her day.

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Allison has begun chewing. Her little cheeks puff out and her two little teeth work at the food. It is one of the cutest things ever. One of the best parts of the day is sitting her in her high chair, giving her some cheerios, and just watching her eat. It is better then any TV show in history.

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As much trouble as I am having with this whole "growing up" thing my kids are doing, I am doing my absolute best to enjoy those little moments that pass all too quickly. I am having fun with my girls. I miss the years that have gone by but I'm also looking forward to all the years yet to come.

August 18th, 2009

Today was my baby girl's first day of Kindergarten. Ok, so technically she isn't a baby anymore. She is a big girl. A smart, beautiful, funny, kind, silly, polite big girl.

She was so excited. It didn't take much to get her out of bed this morning. She even woke up with a smile on her face. I think she was a little nervous even though she told me she wasn't at all. In the car, on the way she told me her tummy felt a little bad but not to worry because it would feel better soon. I laughed and told her I knew just how she felt!

I parked the car and before I could even get all her supplies and things together she was out of the car waiting on the grass. Then we walked together up the sidewalk and into the building she will get to know very well over this next school year. The first tears I felt in my eyes came when we were standing in the hall waiting for her Kindergarten door to open and her first day to start. The 8:50 bell rang and she looked up at me with her eyes wide, "What was that for?" I told her that meant that school was getting ready to start. She smiled at me and turned around just as her teacher opened to door to greet her. I held the tears in and walked my first born into her classroom.

She put her lunch in the basket, gave her backpack and supplies to her teacher, and was directed to choose a spot and play with some play-doh. She didn't hesitate. Off she went, picking a seat with pink play-doh in front of it (of course). I went with her to get her settled and give her one last hug and kiss. She held out the tub of play-doh and asked me sweetly if I would open it for her. Time to hold in the second round of tears. She has relied on me for everything for these last five and half years and I knew that after I opened that tub my job would be over....at least until 4:05!!

We gave each other big hugs and kisses and I told her how excited I was for her and how proud I am of her and then I left. I looked back as I went out the door and she was busy playing and already having fun in her new classroom. As I walked down the hall I felt good. Natalie is in her element. She is outgoing and eager to learn. School is exactly what she needs. She didn't cry as I left or tell me not to go. She jumped right in and that makes me happy in a way I didn't know was possible.

All day I have found myself wondering what she is doing. How lunch went. If she make it to the bathroom when she needed to. If she has made any new friends. If she loves it as much as I think she is going to. I will admit that on the way home I let a few tears escpae my eyes. I can't wait to pick her up and hear all about her day. And tonight I will be stealing extra hugs and snuggles, knowing that no matter where she spends her days she is always at home with me. She is always my baby girl.