SIX Already?!

A couple of weeks have passed and I am just now posting about the day. My latency may in part be due to the fact that Yours Truly is still in denial; did our Little Miss REALLY just turn SIX? I can't believe it has been 6 years since our girl entered into this world (and enter she sure did!). As in years past we had a party to celebrate with close friends and family. This year was extra special because our Little Miss was able to help and seems to be a party planner in the making (a girl after my own heart)!

The Little Miss chose the theme "PJs and Pancakes" because she loves her matching American Girl pajamas and was excited to recruit her two favorite pancake chefs (her daddy and Papa). We'd originally planned a brunch time party but moved the event later in the day, having breakfast-for-dinner to avoid conflicting with her first soccer game.

The kids had fun having a pancake toss (what kiddo doesn't get excited when given permission to have a food fight?), balancing pancakes on their heads (with a bit of persuasion the adults joined in too!), pillow case racing, and marching in a "pan"cake walk. Anna Marie, a very talented elementary school teacher, read "If You Give a Pig A Pancake" (the kids love listening to her and I am sure thankful that she's always so willing to help...from dressing up as Fancy Nancy a couple years ago to teaching the kids the hula last year!)

We decorated with all shades of purple (the Little Miss' favorite color) and teddy bears to go along with the bedtime PJ theme. Our girl even designed her own cake, complete with a teddy bear wearing PJ's and holding her favorite blankie and pillow!

Thanks to all who celebrated with us (and for those that celebrated with us from a far)!

Back To School Transition

We officially survived the first two weeks of our back to school transition. I hope the rest of you with kiddos at school did as well? Who knew that it could be so tiring (for both parents and kiddos!). The Little Miss absolutely LOVES Kindergarten and has an awesome teacher. She has even done great with the transition to all day school. It's been harder on her mom for sure! I am now going in the office 4 days/week (vs. 2 days), working while our girl is in class. I am able to drop off and pick up the Little Miss and get to help out in her class on the day I don't work which is a lot of fun. I have to say though that I sure miss having slow mornings at home with the Little Miss and I still in our PJ's!

The toughest part of this transition has been getting out the door in the mornings. You see, the Little Miss and I are very similar in that neither of us moves very fast in the morning. We both get out of bed fine but then move in slow motion for the first hour. We make it to school in time but everyday has required constant questioning and reminding:

• "Are you STILL not dressed even though you started 15 minutes ago? When we say get dressed, we mean now!"
• "Did you brush your teeth? Yes, you have to do that every morning."
• "Did you make your bed yet? You know the rule, no playing with toys until you are done with everything."
• "I'm sorry your clothes feel itchy. It's funny that was never a problem until you started school. No, you cannot change again."
• "You have to go potty again? We have to GO!!!"

As a Project Manager I get paid to tell people what to do, assign tasks and send reminders (i.e., nag) but I do not enjoy starting off my morning that way, resulting in stress-filled interactions with my daughter. I only have one kiddo to worry about and have to give HUGE kudos to you moms who have large families to get out the door in time!

Praise the Lord for a terrific hubby who helps out and for the Little Miss' new "morning routine chart" that outlines her daily responsibilities. We have only used it a day but it was so freeing for her to see exactly what needed to be done and for me to not have to nag (as much). Here's to surviving the first two weeks...and the next 13 years of school!

First Day of Kindergarten

The Little Miss had a "meet and greet" with her teacher last week and then her first day of Kindergarten on Friday. She LOVED it. From the time we walked into class, she did great. Her mommy had a harder time letting go and had to hug her and leave quickly before the tears started flowing. Praise the Lord for a terrific teacher and school. Now if only we could slow down the years!