milestone

Last night was Eva's preschool graduation. The kids walked in to Pomp and Circumstance, with cameras on all sides. It was hilarious.

Eva was chosen to hold the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance. Don't you love the way she's holding it with her right hand, her left hand over her heart?

Her sweet teacher, Mrs. Young, is just darling. She taught them so many songs, and they performed many of them to show what kinds of things they have learned.

Singing "If you're beautiful and you know it, shout hooray!" (The boys had their own verse, too: "If you have big muscles and you know it, shout wahoo!")

When the diplomas were presented, Mrs. Young announced what each child had chosen as his or her future vocation. Eva's was, of course, a paleontologist. Mrs. Young invited Eva to come to the microphone and tell everyone what a paleontologist is ("a scientist who digs up dinosaur bones").

She was beaming the whole night through, so excited that we were all there to watch her on her big night. We got McDonald's afterwards, and she laughed all through dinner.

I have a feeling this picture will be a bittersweet reminder someday.

Me and my happy girl, the preschool graduate!

It's a weird feeling knowing that we will never again have preschool in our family...

wouldn't you know it?

I went to bed late last night after book club (1:00).
Then I couldn't get to sleep (very unusual).
Then I was awake A LOT during the night (not kid-related, also very unusual).

This morning I feel like the walking dead. And my back hurts.

So I went to drop Eva off at preschool wearing my pajamas.

I regretted it pretty much as soon as we were on our way, but I didn't turn back for fear of being late.

So wouldn't you know it? Today was the day that Eva decided she was too scared to walk down the stairs - even though she definitely did want to go to preschool - and she wanted me to carry her.

I couldn't do it, both because my back hurt and because I'm trying to nudge her gently along to a little more independence.

Today's the day she had a tantrum in the driveway, attracting the notice of all the other kids and their parents. While I'm wearing my pajamas and have bare feet.

There was a sweet dad that looked my way and said, "You're doing a great job! Keep it up!"

Bless that dad.

(She ended up not only walking down the stairs but doing it without even holding my hand! Will wonders never cease.)

tidbits

On Thursday, Eva got this Olympic-style medal at preschool. I was there a little early to pick her up, and all the kids were walking up the stairs with matching medals. I complimented them, and they all started talking at once: "We walked on the balance beam! We went on the slide! Eva has one, too! We thought she was too little, but she did it!"

So, I got more information out of the other kids than she was willing to volunteer, but I could see that she was proud of her medal and even posed for some photos with it. Her teacher said she did great, so hopefully she won't be a problem student after all?

The second day of preschool was delightful for me -- I ran errands, put away my groceries, and vacuumed. When she got home, she played on the computer for awhile and I cleaned my bathrooms and did some laundry. I even found some time to get out some good mail and read. Delightful.

Potty training update: since I made the sticker chart 10 days ago, the girl has only gone 21 times. That's an average of twice a day! Only one accident, so she's staying dry, but... twice a day?? Should I be concerned? She gets quite angry when I suggest that she try to use the toilet, like when it's been 8 hours or so. Good grief.

On Friday afternoon, Lucas set up a game for Eva in the family room, consisting of multiple forts which are homes for each of them, a restaurant, a shop, etc. It includes good mail (he sends her money to use in the places of commerce and for daily "fees"), pretend sleeping and even sleep-overs in addition to the shopping and eating.

They played it for hours all weekend. It's hard to say who likes it more, Eva or Lucas! Eva is so thrilled that Lucas is playing with her, and I think Lucas is enjoying being in charge of all the details of the game. I'm definitely getting tired of the mess in our main living area, but I'm also reluctant to make them clean it up because it's given me a lot more free time!

Max auditioned on Saturday morning for the Utah Valley Youth Symphony. He is hoping to get into the Sinfonia, which is kind of an entry-level symphony that prepares them for the higher level. I hope hope hope he makes it because he really wants this and I think it would be a great experience for him! (photo of him warming up before the audition)

While we were there, we made some contacts and were able to procure a list of possible cello teachers. We were so sad that his teacher moved unexpectedly and we now have to find him a new one.

While we were at the junior high, Max showed me some of the places he took pictures when his digital photography class was let loose to shoot the class digital Rebels around the school. I thought this one was so cool I had to reproduce it for myself! That kid has got an artistic eye. (shot through a hole in a locker that is missing its lock)

Lucas informed me this weekend that his favorite drinks, in order, are:

1. root beer
2. amoxicillin

Yeah, that's right, amoxicillin. Which is convenient, really, considering how often he has to drink the stuff, but -- gross...

Today we attended a regional conference. It was held at the Marriott Center but broadcast to 175 stake centers! I didn't get to take very thorough notes, due to Eva entertainment issues, but I enjoyed the conference. The speakers were Marlin K. Jensen, Anne M. Dibb, Boyd K. Packer, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

I especially enjoyed Sister Dibb's talk about making hot, fresh rolls for the Young Women. She told them the reasons she wanted to make rolls for them were: 1 ) because she loved them, and 2) because she wanted them to taste the real thing! She was afraid they had only ever had counterfeits. I loved her take on the adversary's attempts to counterfeit every good thing. (not that store-bought rolls come from Satan!) But it resonated with me.

I finally booked my flight to go help Jessie after her baby is born. I leave in less than 3 weeks! It's seeming so real now.

Off to read more of my book club book and get ready for another busy week!

first day of preschool

Today was Eva's first day of preschool. She has been so excited about it, but this morning she became very nonchalant, verging on reluctant. Nerves, I guess. She wore this cute apron-style dress that Marc brought her from Paris. It was so chilly this morning that she had goosebumps and was shivering during my attempts at taking photos. A couple of shots and she decided it was time to retreat to the warmth of the car.

(Incidentally, the weather has been so delightfully cool for the last two days -- it's the first time I haven't been hot in months! Well, that's not quite true. I wasn't hot in Oregon. It's the first time I haven't been hot in Utah in months!)

I tried to hook her up with a new backpack. She insisted on wearing this fleece one that Grandma Susan bought her in Paris last year. (She adores robots.) While it is cute, it is not really that functional -- note the folder sticking halfway out. I don't know how long this is going to last.

(I have to say, I did not really get to enjoy myself during preschool. I had to teach a piano lesson, which went very long... then I showered and got ready and picked her up! Plus, Max was still home sick. Gypped. I really want to change that lesson time so as to maximize my alone time and productivity potential.)

When I went to pick her up, all the kids were walking up the stairs to their parents. I could hear Eva inside saying, "I don't want to walk!" (one of her favorite annoying things to say). I commented to her teacher that I hoped she hadn't been like that the whole time. She replied, "Oh no, just a few times". Okaaaaay..... great. Am I going to have the problem child?

She said she had fun, but other than that, mum's the word. We were all excited to ask her about her first day, but she just said, "I don't know," "I don't want to talk about it," and even "Leave me alone". Okay, then.

We had to go over and check Lucas out from school to go to the doctor, because he's been complaining about ear pain the last couple of days. It turns out his ears are fine, but he has a sinus infection! See? Our family specialty. Good grief.

It was just a crazy day of driving around, Scouts, piano lessons, and Mutual. But check this out:

We had an opening social and went up the canyon to play games and have Mexican s'mores. (I had never heard of them, either. Basically, wrap up any combination of peanut butter, chocolate squares, marshmallows, bananas, etc. in a tortilla; wrap in foil; cook over coals for a few minutes. Surprisingly tasty! When it's done cooking, you can even add a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup and no one will complain.)

The Young Men were in charge, and they had determined to show the Young Women that they know how to get things done right. They had tablecloths, a centerpiece, and even wipes to clean up sticky hands! We were duly impressed.

Here's hoping for a much calmer day tomorrow.