Addie loves the Monkey Bars.  A few weeks into the school year she told me it was her goal to get all the way across and it wasn't long before she could do it.  Now that's how she spends her recesses and it looks like her time at the park as well.

Picking my Battles

In the past Addie and I have had disagreements on what matches and what doesn't, what coordinates with what and why an outfit might seem like it goes because the top and bottom both have shades of blue, but that doesn't mean it goes. 

A few months ago after I tried explaining why something didn't match I found her in her bedroom crying.  She went on and on telling me that she wasn't good at picking out clothes so she should just run away.  It was a really tender moment but what got me crying was after I asked her where she would go she told me she didn't know but that she would probably let herself get eaten by a bear.  It sounds funny now but we were both in tears at the time.  We talked it over extensively and I worked harder at teaching her how to pair clothes.

Then this morning happened.  I told her it was going to be a nice day and pulled out a pair of capris for her to wear.  Well, the capris were shorter than she thought they should have been.  She wanted to wear leggings.  I explained that she didn't have anything to wear them with.  She had her mind set on wearing a blue skirt with them.  I was frustrated and she was bound and determined to not wear those capris!  She was in tears and I stood my ground.  I finally got fed up and walked out wishing her good luck in finding something to wear. 

After a few minutes I started to feel really awful.  Who cares what she wears to school?  I found her in the bathroom dressed and putting in a pair of peace sign heart earrings.  I apologized and we talked it over.  I told her she could wear the outfit she had on and let her choose how she wanted her hair.  It was very humbling to see her begin to glow at how great she felt. 

You know she likes to dress up and always look her best so I sent my sweet Addie to school like this:
Black long sleeved shirt on such a gorgeous day, size 3T leggings and a cheerleader skirt from the dress up box.  She had her favorite headband on and was loving her earrings.  And she was wearing black shoes 'because black matches, Mom!'

Some of you are probably thinking it's not that bad.  Really it's not that bad.  So yes, I learned a lesson today.

On another note it's always interesting to hear what your kids do and say when you aren't around.  We had a babysitter, Olivia, the other night and yesterday I was talking to Jennifer, Olivia's mom at church.  She couldn't stop laughing as she was telling me about the conversation Olivia and Addie had had. 

Addie: "Olivia when you grow up if you get an exciting calling, give me a call."
Olivia: "Like what kind of calling?"
Addie: "Like Primary or something.  Just give me a call and tell me about it."

I love this girl.

I'm Scared

Last week I sent this email Addie's teacher:

Hi Mrs. Davis,

Addie has been talking about the assembly thing tomorrow in the gym.  Since I haven't heard anything about it I assume it's not anything that is a big deal but she asked me to come.  Is it something that parents are invited to? 

Thanks,
Kobie

Here's the response I got:

 

Hi Kobie,  

Its not tomarrow and it is the Flag raising it was suppost to be next Friday but it has change to the last Friday in April.. And of course we will send a note home to let you know. She's so funny and such a delight to have in Class. 

Thank You

Mrs. Davis

Ms. Patsy

Now I am really hoping that the aide, Ms. Patsy, wrote this.  But honestly, this person has an influence on my child's education?

Oh, that's right.

I'm beginning to remember why we live here.  This week was gorgeous!  We have spent many hours outside soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the warm weather.  Friday was the perfect day, 78 degrees and no wind!  We wore shorts and flip flops and enjoyed being outside.

Lucy has her own swing now and can't get enough of it lately.

But she has to share.  Her sisters also love it.  Anything new is always exciting.

Kimber just can't quite let go of winter and still puts on Addie's old boots. Let it go Kimber, just let it go.

Addie likes taking her baby out for a little sunshine too.  Look at how gentle and concerned she is.

We even broke out the swimming suits on Friday.  Kimber entertained herself as usual.

 

And she just had to try a leaf.  Apparently it wasn't that great.

Addie got creative and made a cape and ran around the yard playing some sort of Super Woman.  This pose was all her.  And look at those legs.  Looks like the Hatch family needs a little sun!

Check out her shoes.  Kimber's size 9 shoes, which are too big for her still.  Her toes hang over the edges but she loves them anyway.  I guess it's a trade off, Kimber wears Addie's size 10 boots and Addie wears Kimber's sandals.
And this little stinker loved soaking up the sunshine too.  She crawled around the yard pulling grass and eating sticks.  Gotta love the discovery stage.  She did the bear crawl, never letting her knees hit the ground.  If you think about it, that really takes some strength!

I am so thankful for weeks like this.  It reminds me that living here isn't always about the cold weather and the wind.

Mommy on the go

Addie is such a little woman.  It makes me wonder if this is how she sees me: on the phone, baby in tow and ready to go with my purse and keys.  Wait, I think she's right.  I'm usually talking to Heather with Lucy on my hip and busy going about my day.  She's actually right on!

If she doesn't have a baby in the stroller then she's pregnant with a baby in her shirt.  I've yet to sneak in picture of that but it's coming.

Lucy has joined the club

The earring club that is.  Over Spring Break the girls and I spent some time down at my parent's house.  One of the things I planned on doing was to take Lucy to get her ears pierced.  She did a great job and didn't cry nearly as much as the gal doing the piercing swore she would.  This wasn't my first go-round after all so I knew what to expect. And Heather is three for three.  She has held each of my girls while getting their ears pierced.  It's sort of becoming a tradition.

And to all those that feel I am cruel and taking my child's agency away by doing this (cough, cough Uncle Will) someday they will thank me.  It's over and done with now!

Lucy found a friend.  She waved and waved and loved that her friend waved back.