Miss Preschool Graduate

We are so proud of Nina. What an accomplishment! The requirements to be a preschool graduate are quite demanding. First she had to find a sponsor willing to shell out a lovely load of money every month. Matt and I decided we would do that for her. Second, she had to get dropped off and picked up no more than 3 times a week. I offered to do this, although Rachelle ended up taking a large share of this responsibility. And third. I'm pretty sure she just needed to show up to the graduation night last week. We were able to make that happen as well.






Nina really enjoyed preschool this year. Her favorite things were art, snack and going outside to play. I found it very interesting that she was put in time out only 1 time. At the very beginning of the school year. For talking too much during circle time. She seemed to learn to follow the rules right away. I can't think of a day at home where she hasn't been in time out at least one time. Usually for stealing something, drawing on something, hurting someone or lying about something. These lessons at home are seeming to take a little longer to stick.

Loving every phase

People always tell us to enjoy our kids while they are little because before we know it they will be grown. We have been taking that advice to heart. We are soaking up all the phases kids go through. In fact, we consider ourselves blessed that some of these wonderful childhood phases last a little longer in our family than in other families. Take potty training for instance. I'm sure there are so many parents out there that are literally crying at night because their kids no longer need their "accidents" cleaned up and they don't get to pile their shopping carts with diapers and wipes every month.
And this phase:



It occurred to me that you might not be able to tell that this is marker on the wall behind one of the couches.

It also occurred to me that you might not have heard that 3 days ago someone took a sharpie to the passenger-side of the car.

On the wall she wrote Kapten Rex.

On the car she wrote BYU.

I'm so glad we get to enjoy this phase longer than most parents.




And I'm also glad that we still get to see her like this sometimes too.

It was 9 o'clock

and I knew where all our kids were. I just didn't know what they were all doing.

Correction, I just didn't know what Nina was doing.

She was just trying on a new shade of lipstick. No big deal.

What a creation

That's sometimes what I think about Nina. But let's stay on topic here. Nina has been digressing in some areas and we have been brought to our knees. Thus the reimplementation of a "rewards system". I am happy to report that Nina achieved her goal and we celebrated. In this case, the term "celebration" is the in eye of the beholder. If someone gave me this heap of a mess as a celebration, I would never ever want to celebrate anything ever again. But Nina is happy and maybe she'll start thinking about improving. Maybe.

A clean thing of beauty

Ever since Lexi passed along this piece of comfort, Nina can be found lounging in it most mornings.

Tea Party question

Are tea parties supposed to involve shredded cheese, water and smashed up grapes all mixed together in a creation of nastiness?




Because I'm pretty sure these two lied to me. I expect this from Nina, but Cambri? I'm thoroughly disappointed.

Heaven Sent

There have been times when I think Nina's special qualities are too much for me to handle. She is oozing with creativity, spunk, love, curiosity and emotion. The way those traits sometimes manifest themselves makes me shake my head. And take a picture. And issue threats. And eat chocolate. So it has made me feel grateful that an absolute gem has entered our lives. There have been countless times where Patty has shown up when I'm at my end and whisked Nina away for a day of fun. She showers Nina with love, attention, treats, conversation, hugs, sparkly things and time with her dogs. Nina loves Patty, and has said, "Mom, I think you're the best, but Sister Lillmars is my favorite." She is my favorite too! She has been a lifesaver for Nina and for me.