100th Day of School

Wow - they grow up fast. It didn't always seem like that, but when I see all the things Princess daughter does on her own now, I barely remember that baby in the crib, the potty-training toddler, and the messy, on-the-go pre-schooler. We're actually feeling like sane adults with a life again rather than worn-out shadows walking around in a fog of exhaustion.

On school mornings, she gets up, dresses herself, makes her bed, often gets her own breakfast, brushes her teeth, puts her coat and backpack on, and gets into the car and buckled by herself. I'm thinking of handing over the keys...

I've always enjoyed older kids, but I had no idea I would REALLY enjoy my daughter at this age. I love picking her up in the afternoon and hearing all the tales of the day - who said what, who did what, who didn't do what. I love hearing her attempt at making a joke, and I love it when she tries out new words in a sentence. Her questions are great and although the conclusions she draws from my answers aren't always on-target, it's great to hear her process information and try to apply her understanding of values and character to the situation.

A wedding for the ages

At long last, here are the photos from the wedding.


Princess daughter did a wonderful job as flower girl (if you didn't mind petals being rocket-launched into your face if you were one of the lucky ones sitting along the aisle).


The wedding was beautiful and fun (just like the couple). Princess daughter quickly thought of herself as "one of the girls," even leading the bride and bridesmaids in several rounds of the game "telephone" prior to the ceremony.



Of course, cake was the highlight for a certain 5-year-old.

Uno, you know?

We are in the "Uno" phase of life. I didn't know such a phase existed, but apparently, there is a point in the development of a young child when every waking minute is consumed with the desire to play Uno. Princess daughter is obsessed; so much so that she has changed the rules so that her objective is to avoid giving out all her cards, and thus, delay ending the game. And I often find her dealing 10, 11 cards rather than the typical seven or eight to start with.

She is brutal. She loves to put down cards that contain the word "draw" - she even has an evil laugh that goes along with that action. The funny thing is, we all know exactly what she has in her hand since she hasn't quite developed the dexterity to hold the cards fan-style, but lays them out on the table. It's hard not to develop a little bit of strategy when you're able to see what you're up against.

The minute dinner is finished (which is usually in less than five minutes for this active school-girl) and the requisite request is made for "bessert" (sometimes granted, sometimes not), the Uno cards come out. It's become a nightly ritual. Uno! I mean - so long.