Kayli graduated from Preschool today. It was a bittersweet realization for me. She has grown and learned so much in the last year and I am really proud of her. But now it is on to Kindergarden, and I wonder where the time has gone? Im thrilled for her, she has wanted to go to the “big kid school” for over 2 years, and to her preschool was just a means to an end. I’ve been telling her for the last year that she had to go to preschool first and then once she graduates she can go to Kindergarden. So as we are pulling away from preschool today for the last time what is her first question? “Mom, are you going to drive me to Kindergarden now?” What is she trying to do, kill me? I told her she gets to have a few months break from school and then she can start Kindergarden. Then she got all excited and melted my heart “AWESOME! Mom I get to stay home with you for a few months.” So, for now she is my preschool graduate, NOT my kindergardener!

Her teachers said a little something about each child and Kayli got the best artist award because she is so detail orientated with all of her artwork and even her coloring. She knows how she wants it and doesn’t want to stop until it is just right. They said they often had to tell her she would have to finish at home because she was the last one coloring and they needed to move onto something else. I cant count the times she came home and did just that, even if she was having a play date!

We are so proud of you Kayli and know you will do awesome in Kindergarden!

I tried to convince Kayli to be 4 years old again this year and to stay little forever, but it didn’t work, she told me that she HAS to grow up, and boy is she thrilled to be 5. She kept asking me if her birthday was her last day at Preschool and if she gets to go to Kindergarden now. Silly girl cant wait to grow up and I just want to keep her little forever!

Her day started with waffles for breakfast and then it was off to school. She has been waiting to take cupcakes to school for her birthday since preschool started in August. She knew exactly what she wanted, chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting. She helped me make them on Sunday night and couldn’t wait to share them with her friends.

After school we went home and had Spaghetti for lunch at her request, and then we rushed off to the pottery painting studio with Eli, and her friends Karli and Maren.

After they spent an hour painting pottery we headed home for 3 hours of torture. Every 10 minutes she wanted to know if it was time to open up those presents that had been staring at her for over a week. Finally it was party time with her cousins, aunts, uncles, Grandpa and Goddess. She picked Pizza and crazy bread for dinner, and ice cream cake for dessert. Her cousins had a blast tearing into her gifts with her, while she was opening one, both TJ and Eli were also opening one up. It was pretty funny and crazy. I managed to snap a few pictures of the present opening whirlwind!

On your marks get set GO!

Kayli trying to open the one she has and watch TJ open the other one LOL! Eli had actually opened the pink bag first and decided he didnt like the contents and quickly handed it over to Kayli and moved onto another.

Lots of help!

Yes we did presents before cake, she just couldn’t stand it any longer!

Kayli is such a sweet little girl, don’t get my wrong there is still plenty of drama inside that little 5 year old body, but I see her sweet caring side more and more everyday. She loves to learn, and play. One of her favorite things to do is to color and make pictures for the people she loves, and she is really good at it too. She loves helping me with all kinds of things, especially baking. She is such a good big sister to Caiden, and loves playing with him, and teaching him everything she learned in school that day, yes they finally like each other a lot!! =) Although, she does insist that she is getting a little sister next, and no that is NOT an announcement. We love you Kayli girl!!

Goddess (my Mom) found a beautiful Yellow Lab a few weeks ago wandering the streets near the horse rescue. She brought him to our house to stay until his owner came for him. He was well groomed and taken care of and we KNEW once his owner realized he was gone, that he would be missed. His collar had his name “Oakey” and a phone number, but no address. There was no answer so we left some messages and took good care of him. Kayli became quite attached. She followed Oakey around all day, played ball with him, hugged and kissed him and even insisted that he lay in her room while she slept. She cried when Oakey left and has asked me every day since “where my Oakey go Mom” and/or “where my doggie go Mom?”, just in case I dont remember who Oakey is I guess. I cannot wait until we buy a house, then the kids can have a dog of their own, although I fear we will have to name him Oakey!