1st Day of Kindergarten

Christopher had his first day of kindergarten last week. He was so excited to meet his teachers and classmates. The minute we got to school he kissed me goodbye and wanted me to leave. I had to explain to him several times that I was staying for a little bit, but he kept on asking "when are you going to leave?"

His teacher gave some quick instructions to the parents, read "The Kissing Hand", had the kids give and receive a kiss from their parents (on their hand) and then dismissed the adults. When it was Christopher's turn to get his hand kissed he looked at me as if I was the craziest person. Why would he need his hand kissed? He wasn't going to miss me like the raccoon in the story so he needed no kiss. I, on the other hand, insisted on getting a little kiss in my palm.

I can't believe my little boy has officially started school. I remember when my oldest niece started kindergarten as if it were just the other day. Today she is in 6th grade. She is almost done with elementary school! Where has time gone? I feel like once kids start kindergarten their childhood years pass super fast. I have this overwhelming feeling that my stay at home with 3 little kids life is changing drastically fast. This year is Christopher, next year Drew starts school and Clarissa goes to preschool. What am I going to do with my life/time? When I had Christopher I struggled with the idea of leaving my teaching job. I felt like I was loosing my identity, losing everything I had worked to become. I kind of have these same feelings now. I'm going to soon lose my identity as "stay at home mom with 3 little/rambunctious kids." Well, I guess I have at least 3 more years before Clarissa starts kindergarten to get used to a new phase. The thought of having 3 more years eases my mind and heart for now.

Here are a couple of pictures of the happiest kindergartener.

I Can't Believe it's True, Clarissa is Two!!

Time flies, and I can't believe my baby is so grown up. Clarissa turned 2 over the weekend, and we celebrated with a little pool party at my parents' house just for the family. I had a ton of fun planning a girly birthday party for once! I did it all around flowers and the decorations turned out super cute. There were lots of sugar and the children devoured it in minutes. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and the birthday girl was on a sugar high, so she was EXTREMELY happy.

Clarissa has been a fun baby to have. For the first year of her life she was super mellow and cuddly. She was the perfect baby. Then came the second year. That's when we got to know her personality. And boy, does she have one. She is super sweet, still very cuddly, but boy she is one bossy little girl. She almost always gets her way. There is no talking her into something she doesn't want (specially when it comes to eating). I CANNOT feed this girl. She has to do it herself. She learned how to say "I do it" a few months ago, and she has to do everything by herself. I will confess she is still drinking milk from a bottle. We tried switching to a sippy cup last month and she went a week without milk until Cory gave in and gave her a bottle. That's just her personality!!

Clarissa loves to eat beans, noodles, and soup. Marshmallows are a favorite treat. She loves the water and swimming. She enjoys singing (and having us sing to her). Drew and her get along super well and they play together often. She loves the boys and most nights won't go to sleep without having them give her a kiss. She likes playing with baby dolls, although she seems to know all the superheroes better (she can name a couple of them, but Drew has a strong part in that). We love you baby girl.

 It was hard to get a picture of her without having her be eating anything. She always had some sort of treat in her mouth!

 All the cousins. I love having family near us so we can celebrate birthdays with them.

 Blowing out the candle.

 Finally some girly presents. She loved her princess crown, shoes and wand.

She was so happy, she couldn't stop laughing and giggling