I just wanted to throw in a note about you and Patsy and Mini. As I'm sure you'll remember, they are your blankets and apparently friends too. Today as you left for school you gave each one a hug and kiss goodbye. Then for most of the evening you sort of forgot about them. You usually snuggle with them while we watch TV before bed, but tonight you didn't have them. I was going to say something, but I wanted to see if you would notice. You didn't. Then we read stories in bed, and you still didn't notice, so I finally said something as I was turning out the lights. "Ummm, are you forgetting something?" No, you said. "Are you sure?" Yes, you said. "Well, okay." Then you remembered as I started to walk out of the room, so I went and fetched them for you. When I brought them in you started to cry. I asked what was the matter, and you said you felt bad. I told you that Patsy and Mini don't care, and you said, "Yes they do!" It took quite a lot of snuggling before you had decided they weren't mad at you anymore. I don't think they hold a grudge.

It's been a busy weekend so far. Yesterday was the annual Kettle Lake Carnival, and it was the first time you attended as an actual student. I couldn't help looking around at the older kids who were grouped with their friends and thinking someday you're not going to want us to come with you. You didn't win any big prizes, but if it bothered you, you didn't show it. I think your favorite prize was the pink jet shaped kazoo you won at the duck pond.

Today was your last day as a Pike. Next week you begin a new session of swim lessons at the Y as an Eel. Your teacher said you were the most advanced kid in the Pike group. You wanted to know what advanced meant.

It was also kind of a dreary boring day. It rained on and off all day, with a few episodes of lightning and thunder thrown in for good measure. Thunderstorms didn't used to bother you really. I've always loved thunderstorms and tried to pass that on to you, but I guess I'm failing. The thunder got the song "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC stuck in my head, so I put it on the radio and you and I rocked out complete with Rock Band microphone and guitar. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we continued to rock out through "You shook me all night long" and part of "Hells Bells". I'm such a good role model.

Tomorrow to counteract your dosage of AC/DC, I'm taking you to church. Just kidding, that's not why. I've been looking for a church that we could attend. You've been to church exactly twice in you life, and I want to do more than that. This is something that I struggle with, because there are so many things that I dislike about church, but many things I like too. I want you to make up your own mind about it, but how can you make a decision unless you've seen both options. I can tell you, I will never force you to go to church, because I think that's the best way to get you to not like it. I want you to be there because you want to be, not because someone told you that's what you should do. That's how it happened for me.

Tonight was your Spring Concert. Grandpa came to watch and we had a blast. These things are so much more entertaining when you know kids from almost every grade. You did great! And you looked beautiful too. Your favorite song that you sang for the concert was Tingalayo. You've been practicing it at home for a month complete with all the dance moves. Your class also sang I'm So Glad to Be Here, The Tall, Tall Tree and I Can Do It. You were right in the front, and when you first came out on stage, you had your arms crossed over the front of you like you were trying to protect yourself. But once you got singing, it seemed like a lot of the shyness went away. You knew those songs!

My how smart you are! You have started reading. For you Kindergarten class, you have sight words to learn, so you know about 22 of the 31 sights words. But you are also starting to sound out words really well. We have some simple books that you are able to read with only small help from Mom and Dad. You get frustrated when I tell you to sound things out instead of just telling you the word you get stuck on. I get a little frustrated when you sound out a word perfectly and then look at the picture and make a random guess. We are working on it, and I'm scared to push you too much because I soooo want you to love reading like I did as a kid and still do.

Merry Christmas Sweetie! As you can see from the picture Daddy got us matching Christmas sock monkey PJ's. Don't we look cuddly? You are not nearly as afraid of Santa this year, however you still requested someone sleep with you. Christmas morning you were very excited to dive right into present opening. It makes me a teeny bit sad. I miss the way you wanted to stop and play with every new thing you opened. This year, you're chomping at the bit to move on to the next one.

You said you got everything you wanted, so I guess Santa and your parents did pretty good. Sunday we went to Nana and Papa's house and had Christmas there, and today Grandpa and Grandma Denise came over late morning. He read you the "poop story" that Aunt Allison sent you for Christmas. It's about a little mole who has someone poop on his head, and he's trying to solve the mystery of whodunit. Both you and Grandpa were in stitches. I added the video of him reading it, I hope it works.

Once again you have been a very good girl this year. Daddy and I are so proud of you. I hope you weren' t dissappointed that Mama had to work on Christmas day. I was just happy I could be there in the morning to see you when you first took in everything. That's the best moment.

First I have to give a little background. Last year in Preschool, I heard about Max all the time. Max did this, Max had to go in timeout. Everyday, there was a story about all the bad stuff Max did. So when I found out he was going to be in your Kindy class I was a little annoyed and apprehensive. He was such a distraction last year, and I didn't really want to have that again. Well, I don't know what they did with him over the summer, but he is a different kid this year. He still doesn't listen real well, but it's more because he's too busy and not because he's trying to be obnoxious. He even gave me a hug at the Christmas party.

Anyway, your teacher, Mrs. Bowman, pulled me aside and said, "Did Elise tell you about what happened today?" I said "No". Well, apparently you and another student didn't hear the bell at recess and got left outside. When it was discovered that you were missing, the Aide went out and found the two of you still on the playground. You were a little upset because you realized that you missed the bell. But the funny part is, the other student was Max! When I asked you what happened you told me that you were having so much fun, you didn't hear the bell, and would I stop asking about it because I was making you feel embarrassed. Okay, so maybe it's just funny to me, but I felt like signing, "Elise and Max sitting in a tree..." You know the rest.

I had to quickly record this for posterity and to have this on record for future use. And because it was just too dang cute. Tonight when I tucked you in, we had this conversation.

E: I love you, Mama.
M: I love you too. Promise, you'll love me forever.
E: I promise.
M: Pinky swear.
E: Pinky swear. **pinkies entwined**
M: I hope so. Someday, you'll be a teenager, and you'll probably think I'm a big dummy.
E: Why?
M: Because when you're a teenager you'll want to do all these things, and sometimes I'll tell you you can't. And I'll make you do things you won't want to do.
E: What things do teenagers do?
M: Well, they have a lot of homework. And they play sports, and have jobs, and drive cars. They like boys.
E: I don't wanna like boys. **nose wrinkle**
M: But when you're a teenager you will. When you're a teenager, you'll probably even want to kiss boys.
E: **tears starting** I DON"T WANNA BE A TEENAGER!! I DON"T WANT TO KISS BOYS!! I ONLY WANT TO KISS MY DADDY!! **really crying now**

At this point, you are sobbing, and I'm trying to comfort you while I'm laughing. I called Daddy up there and related the conversation to him, and we both snuggled you and reassured you that you wouldn't be a teenager for a long time.

Woohoo! I am so proud of you. We had parent-teacher conferences last night and you got all ones on your report card! Mrs. Bowman said you are a very sweet girl, and kind of quiet. I am amazed at how many of the lower case letters you recognized. We haven't been working on those at home. Mrs. Bowman even commented on how you well you try to sound out words. I know you are going to be reading soon. Keep up the good work sweetie!

Happy Halloween! Look at what a beautiful Tinkerbell you made! I love this costume. Mom helped out at school for your Halloween party. You were very sad that we weren't in the same group for the craft, and I could tell you were feeling a little possesive of your Mama. You wanted to be on me whenever possible. Marking your territory I guess. You and I made a game to bring. We made a Spider with velcro feet and then we cut bugs out of felt. The spider hung from a fishing pole and you had to "fish" for the bugs with the Spider. However many bugs you caught was how many pieces of candy you could pick out of the bowl. I think it was a hit.

Halloween night we had the most beautiful weather I think I ever remember. It was warm enough you didn't even have to cover your costume with a coat. Unfortunately, communications got crossed and we weren't able to find Maddie, Karrie, and Nathen. So it was just the three of us for trick or treating. You made it 30 minutes. I think that was a record so far.

It has been a busy week. Saturday, we headed over to the pumpkin patch. We picked out some pumpkins, went on a hayride, petted some animals, toured the corn maze, and visited an Indian camp. The corn maze was your favorite, because they had pots with coins hidden through out the maze. For every coin you collected, you got to trade it in at the end for candy.

Thursday, we carved pumpkins. You helped take out the guts, and Mommy carved them. We made a giant SpongeBob pumpkin to enter in the Great Pumpkin Contest at your school. We spray painted it yellow and everything.

Friday, I felt like the world's crappiest Mom. I forgot I had promised to let you paint on Sponge Bob's eyelashes, so you were upset when you woke and found that it was all done. I really should have let you help with it more. I just got in my perfectionist mode, and it should have been a group effort. Then I forgot to pack Mini for you to take for show and tell. I could just picture you at school, going to open your backpack, and seeing that Mini wasn't there. I felt bad the whole day.

Friday night, we went to Octoberfest at school with Grandpa. SpongeBob Pumpkinpants won the Best Painted Pumpkin award. You were very excited about that. We went around to all the games. You won at Bingo, but came out of the leaf pile candy hunt crying. I think the other kids overwhelmed you with their fervor for candy. Overall, it was a good time though. We didn't get to see Grandpa much because all his old buddies from school kept grabbing him to talk. Just like old times for Mama.

We just got back from another vacation. Aren't you a lucky girl, two vacations in one year. This time there were no princesses or characters. We took a relaxing vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains with Grandpa Worman. We had a beautiful cabin up in the mountains that was named Little Rocky Top. It had a gorgeous view.

The first full day there it was rainy, so we went to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, which was actually really cool. You got to pet a horseshoe crab and travel on a conveyor through a tunnel surrounded by fish and huge sharks. In the children's education section, they had sensory boxes. You were to put your hand in the box and try to guess what you felt. After 10 seconds, a light would come on and reveal what was in the box. Daddy had a shell, I had a piece of coral, and yours was a fake eel. Only you didn't realize it was fake and you ripped your hands out of the box screaming then started to cry. You were fine when we told you it was fake, and I don't blame you for being scared. Now you think that it's a funny story and asked me to write it in here for you.


That night Aunt Allison came, which was one of the highlights of the trip for you. Wednesday, we went on a hike to Laurel Falls. You hiked 2.5 miles of the 3 mile trek. I was very proud. The next day we took a chairlift ride up the side of a mountain and got to look out over Gatlinburg. You loved the chairlift. That night we went to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede dinner show. At first you were not impressed, because they had us sit in a hall and listen to a band. Then we were herded into a large arena and took our seats. The lights went down and out came a herd of horses. You looked like McAuley Culkin in Home Alone. It was a pretty cool show and you were in heaven. You especially liked the chicken chase and the Native American portion of the show. We had to eat our whole meal with our hands, because they didn't let you have silverware. I think it was one of your favorite parts of the trip.

The next day, Dada, Mama, and you took the convertible on a drive around Cade's Cove. It was a valley in the mountains with all kinds of historical buildings. We stopped at a farm that was built in 1800's. You said it was spooky and made ghost faces for the pictures. Later on we headed up to Ober Gatlinburg. We took a Gondola ride up to a small amusement park with a fun house, bumper cars, and an alpine slide. We rode another chairlift to one of the best views I'd ever seen.

Later that night, when we went to put you to bed, we discovered that Mini was missing. This is a major thing, Mini is your sidekick. We looked everywhere. I had my suspicions that Mini took a ride out the back of the convertible. I sat you down and said, "Elise, I need you to think real hard. Where was the last place you remember seeing Mini?" You thought real hard and then you got a look in your eyes, like you had remembered and ran out on the porch to the chair we had sat in earlier. I knew Mini wasn't there, because I had already looked, but I could tell you really thought she'd be there. The look on your face when you saw she wasn't there broke my heart. We told you we'd look more in the morning when it was light, but I really didn't have any hope.

On the last day, Aunt Allison, Mom, and Elise took a horseback ride on a trail in the Smoky Mountain National Park. You were very worried about not getting a "pretty" horse. The man at the stable asked you which horse you would like to ride, and you said, "I like the spotted one." and pointed to the hugest horse they had. He suggested Toby, a small brown horse, and you said he was okay too. The guide that lead your horse was great and he knew all about SpongeBob, so you guys had lots to talk about. He told you he had a pet squirrel named Sandy Cheeks. I don't know if that was true or not, I think it was true. It was fun, and you looked so funny bouncing around on your horse. My horse, for some reason, thought it was fun to rear-end your hourse.

When we got back to the cabin, Daddy and Grandpa were packing up. We were just getting things in the car when Daddy ran screaming down the stairs. He found Mini!! She was inside the sleeve on my jacket that you had put on in the restaurant. Happy Day! Now we could leave little Rocky Top feeling like all was right with the world.

Oh your Daddy has really done it now. He bought you a quad. Nevermind that you can't ride a bike with training wheels, lets get you something gas powered instead. If you can't tell, Mommy is not so sure about this idea. It is very fun though. I'm happy to ride around on it with you, but the idea of you riding it by yourself makes me cringe. Watching Daddy drive it around is hilarious though. He looks so funny with his knees practically up to his ears. Who needs a sibling when their Dad still acts like a 9 year old.

I wanted to add an update post on Abu the hamster. He has become such an important figure to you. You think about him all the time. You take him out of his cage and rub him on your face. You like to have him near you all the time, so you have a little carrier that I call the hamster purse. It's a little plastic rectangle with a lid and handle. You put him in there and carry him all around with you. He usually falls asleep in there, frequently upside down so he looks dead. The other day, he even had a part in our make believe fairy tale reinactment of Cinderella. He had the part of Gus-Gus the mouse. He had a costume and everything, although I don't think it was true to the time period, but you work with what you have.

Abu had a second escape attempt too. Gave me a heart attack! This one was definitely Mom's fault. We had cleaned his cage and he was rolling around in his ball. I asked you to pick up some things, and you asked me to put him away. Well, my attention got distracted and I forgot. We went outside to play, and when we came in, we saw the ball sitting there, lid popped off. You began frantically searching for Abu, and I began frantically searching for the cats. I found all the cats and locked them up, and you found Abu! He was under Mom & Dad's dresser. He didn't really want to come out, so we had to employ the cheese cracker as bait again. Whew! Disaster averted. I don't know what were going to do when he "passes". You are going to be so sad. I've thought about the old hamster switcheroo, but that wouldn't really be right, plus very tricky to pull off.

Just a note, we discovered that you are allergic to Aspen trees. I was trimming one in the backyard, and you were being my "lumberjack" hauling away the branches I trimmed. Then you were crawling around in the big pile of branches and leaves. Afterwards, I took your clothes off to give you a bath and this is what we found all over you, from neck to feet. What's pictured is the spot we missed putting hydrocortisone on the night before, not a gratuitous butt shot. Itchy! So stay away from the Aspens.

Ohhh... you're all grown up! Your off to Kindergarten all on your own. It was so hard to put you on that bus this morning. You were doing great while we were waiting for the bus to come. Some of our neighbors walked down to our bus stop and got on the bus with you for moral support. All of the other kids got on first and you were about to step up on the bus, but then you turned around and gave me another hug and started crying. But I was so proud, because you got right on the bus and waved in the window (with big tears and everything). Ohhhhhh.. Daddy and I were doing so good until that point, but then we were a mess. That was so hard. At least with Preschool, I could wait and then peek in the window to make sure the tears had stopped. I didn't have any idea what happened after that until you got home from school. And then the afternoon bus was 15 minutes late. It was killing me!

You seemed in good spirits when you got off the bus. You were ravenous at lunch. I was trying to pump you for information the whole time, but I didn't get very far. I ended up having to tease out info through out the day. You said that you didn't cry the whole way to school and not at all once you got there. You sat with Emma Lee from across the street and Daddy wanted to know what you guys talked about. "Backpacks" was the response. The teacher was waiting for you when you got to school. You played with Lily and two other girls during freetime. You finally got to play in the house under the loft, you were so dissappointed that you didn't get to play in there during orientation. Your eyes were all sparkly when you said, "And guess who I got to be? The Mom!" You told me that "the girl with curly hair was the kitty, and the girl who looks like Zoei , except she's nice, was the sister." I asked if anyone was the Dad and you said emphatically No,
"but Max tried to come in our house without asking!" That Max, he's a stinker. You also had computer lab today, and you got to play some game. I don't remember the name of it. For a project, you made a storybook "like Brown Bear, Brown Bear". At circle time, you sang some songs and the teacher played the violin. I could tell you were impressed by that because you made your own violin out of sticks. For snack you had milk and crackers. I asked if you picked white or chocolate and you said white milk. I was shocked, but you said you didn't "feel like" chocolate.

While you were at school, Mama went grocery shopping and bought things to pack in the lunchbox. For some reason, this is really hitting me hard. Yes I have the "my baby is all grown up" feelings, but it's more than that. Before it always felt like I was just here to make sure you felt loved and cared for. Now it feels more like I'm responsible for molding and shaping you, making sure that everything for school is remembered, packing the lunch, getting you on the bus on time. I don't want to screw up! I hope some day you can read this when you are sending your baby off to Kindergarten and think, yeah I know what you mean Mom.

Today, we had a sort of orientation for Kindergarten. We were only at school for an hour and a half and both Daddy and I were there the whole time. You got to check out the bus first. The bus driver had the kids file on and you were so busy waving to us out the window that you were completely ignoring the bus driver's review of Bus Safety. When you got off, I asked you what the rules were and you said, "Don't run on the bus... I don't remember the rest." Oh, this is a great start!

Then we followed the bear paws to your classroom, and met your temporary teacher Mrs. Frey. Your regular teacher is off on medical leave for 2-4 weeks. Bummer. Mrs. Frey seemed very nice though. We had a scavenger hunt, so you could learn where everything in the classroom is, and while you toured the cafeteria, Daddy and I got a quick run down of all the important info. I could tell that you were a little bummed that there wasn't a play time. We did a quick activity and read a story though. Afterwards, we headed out to the playground for a little bit. But it doesn't seem real to me yet. We took your 'First Day of School' pictures today. You look so pretty. I spliced two pictures together so we could have a family picture too.

This morning, we went and had your 5 year pictures taken. We spent about an hour at a park and it was hot and you were very tired of having your picture taken, but you knew that after pictures we were going somewhere special. You had a special day with Daddy and you've been asking me when we can have a special day together, so today is it. I wouldn't tell you where we were going but you were hell bent on figuring it out. You finally guessed half way there... The Beach! We went to Tunnel Park in Holland. It was a very nice clean beach with park and playground attached. We had a picnic and you had a ball swimming.

The waves were very small but you were shrieking with laughter when the pushed you toward the shore. I was pretending that they were huge and knocking me over. We tried making a sand castle, but your bucket broke and cut your leg and you were done with the beach after that. We headed over to the playground, but didn't play very long because the sand was so hot. On the way home, we stopped at Captain Sundae and got some sundaes. They were amazing, with tons of hot fudge and candy in them. Yum! Within minutes of the car ride home you were out, and slept the whole way.

Party! Party! It's a Tinkerbell party! Today was your preschool friends party, and amazingly everyone we invited came. There was Samantha, Maddie, John, Tyler, Breeanne, Abby, and Lily. We had Tinkerbell balloons, plates, and napkins. We blew up the inflatable waterslide and had the little plastic pool set out. You guys ended up using that to warm up, since the slide water was so cold. It was a beautiful day though. We had snacks, drinks, and cupcakes for dessert. I thought the boys would be the most rambunctious on the slide, but Abby and Breeanne won that title. For gifts, you got a Cinderella doll with horse, Care Bear, $20, Mylie Cyrus doll with locker, bracelets, jewelry box and bead set, and Littlest Pet Shop Clubhouse. I think the Littlest Pet shop was your favorite. We had goodie bags and balloons for everyone. I think everyone had fun, I know you did!

Happy 5th Birthday Elise! Today was your family party day. The guests included Grandpa, Grandma Denise, Nana, Papa, Gigi, and Aunt Allison. There were presents, presents, and more presents, and a beautiful Tinkerbell cake. You got Blendy Pens, Magnetix, a Tinkerbell purse, books, a huge coloring book, art set, clothes, bubbaloons, bike helmet and kneepads, and more. I think you had a great time, and loved being the center of attention. Nana fell in the pond which was hilarious! You showed off your hamster to everyone.

Friday, we went to the pet store and picked up your 5th birthday present. Welcome home Abu the hamster! Before lunch, we went to V.I.Pets to look at their selection. You saw a hamster that you really liked, so we asked the lady if she could take it out of the cage. When she saw what hamster you picked, she said, "I don't know about that one, it's kind of ... sassy?" She tried to scoop it out with one of its toys but it jumped on to her lap. It then proceeded to bite her finger and pee on her pants. I said, "Okay, we don't want that one. Can we look at some of the others?" She brought down 3 separate cages before we found a nice buff colored teddy bear that seemed very friendly. Mom declared, "We'll take it!" Later we brought Daddy back to the store so he could meet Abu and we could take him home. We brought a little carrying cage to take him home in. Well when Mom tried to scoop him out of his cage he bit me sooo hard on the finger it drew blood. I started feeling a little panicky about bringing this thing home, but we did anyway.

When we got home you were so desperate to hold him. We sat you on a chair with a towel over your lap. I laid his cage on it's side to coax him out then I set him on your lap with a cracker for distraction. It seemed to work because we were all able to pet him without getting bit. When he started running all over you, we thought it best to let him get aquainted with his new home. So I picked him up and proceeded to take him over to his cage. I then tripped over your vanity stool and about threw him out the window. Luckily, the hamster didn't get hurt (Mom was another story) and he made it safely into his cage.

We've had Abu out a lot over the past 2 days and he's only tried to nibble at you once. You are doing so well with picking him up gently and holding him so he doesn't get away. He seems to like his ball and runs on his wheel ALLLLLLL night. I'm just relieved that it doesn't seem to bother you or keep you awake. The cats are curious, but so far have not tried to jump up on your dresser for a closer inspection. I had to go in there last night and cover his cage up with a towel though because Rossi was too close for comfort. You love your new hamster so much. I hope he sticks around for a while. I already told you to be prepared because they don't live a long time. You seemed to understand. Today, we clean out his cage for the first time. I'm going to make you do it. You're getting so big so fast!