Tiny dancers

Today was B and Mag's first dance recital. I have to admit, they were adorable. I am amazed at their ability to just get up on stage and dance in front of all those people. They were not nervous at all. Mags was just so excited to be doing the dance with all her friends. In fact, on the way to the dress rehearsal (which was less than fun) Mags and her BF Eva were having the most adorable conversation about how time just flew by this year.

Me: Girls, can you believe it? Your dance recital is finally here.

Eva: I can' believe it is finally here.

Mags: It seems like it was just a little bit ago that we started dance class.

Eva: And now our show is here. Time goes by fast when you are having fun (or something like that).

It really was adorable, this conversation. I love listening to the two of them talk to each other. They have deep conversations about seatbelt laws, God, and ice cream flavors. I love it.

But back to the dance recital. Mags was one of the first ones to go. She really was not nervous just full of excitement. When we got back stage, I started to get a little nervous because some girls were crying and nervous. I wanted to stay away from them. Mags did not even notice. She went right over to her friends and started being silly. B did notice. She got a little clingy. She is not one that likes to be left alone, or just left in general. She wanted me to hold her for a bit, then color with her, but I did get out after a few minutes. I have to admit, I was a little nervous I would not see her on stage, but she was there and she did great.

Mags was very into her dance and was very graceful. HEr and Eva (really the two I was focused on) knew the dance very well. Mags also told a friend or two what to do a few times! Her class was one of the better classes (in a totally unbiased opinion... but really even the family behind us with out a child in the class, was commenting on how well they did.). They all knew what to do and where to go. This was not the case of all the classes. And Mags was great. B's class was amazing for the little ones. They also knew what they were doing and were able to sneak peaks off the side to see their teacher and follow along. B got a little distracted at the end and kept walking when everyone else had stopped and started the next move. The funny thing is, she did the same thing at the dress rehearsal and went to the same spot... maybe she planned it that way!

I was a proud mama today. Glad to see my cuties with the confidence to do what they did!

B's First "Real" Playdate

Don't get me wrong, B has played with plenty of people, plenty of times. She is known for yelling "It is BORING here" when we pull into our driveway. I have never seen her get dressed so fast as when I say get your coat and shoes on if you want to go to Jimmy's/Brady's (or Tory's/Jenn's for that matter). But today was a big deal in our house. Today she picked a friend from school to come over. I like the mom, but I am not friends with her (I'd like to say we are now after the playdate, but who knows, we may have scared her away). This is truly B's friend, and she could not have been more excited.

I told her just last night before bed. It was the perfect bribe to get her in bed and to stay in bed. She woke up this morning so excited. She hurriedly got in the car without being prompted and knew that when we returned from dropping off M and M, Ella would be coming over. Unfortunately, Ella's mom got a little caught up, so the 10 minute wait was more like a twenty minute wait, with about 100 "when will Ella be here"s built in.

She was excited to see her and welcomed her in. After Ella warmed up, they played swimmingly (whatever that means). They hid eggs, played monster, played house, played with playdough. It was the makings of a great first playdate; no tears, no fights, just smiles. I am happy for B! She is growing up just great.

My little helper

Mags is still my little helper. She will sneak off and clean a room just to make me happy. She races in when dinner is being made to set the table. She loves to get everyone their coats, shoes, hats, etc. The other morning Sean and I were attempting to sleep in (it was only 7:30am mind you). I finally got up and got in the shower. When I came out, Sean was still in bed. I heard the microwave beeping. Sean called down to Mags asking her what she was doing and why she was using the microwave. She yelled back up, "Kerri wanted Hot Chocolate." Oh, Okay then.

Potty on the Potty

That is heard around our house this day... either prefaced by "Kerri just went..." "You don't have a diaper on so you must go..." or sometimes "Why didn't you go..."

About two weeks ago, KJ decided she wanted to go potty on the potty from now on. She was really doing a great job. She would just go into the bathroom by herself and go about her business. The only reason I would know about it is when I went into the bathroom later and saw some yellow and even a little piece of toilet paper (or sometimes a whole roll) in the toilet. I tried not to encourage it (I know, bad mom) because I don't like potty training, especially in the winter, so I am not sure it will stick, but it sure would be nice to be done with diapers. Now what to do with those two cases I stocked up on from Costco when there was a coupon?!?

Learning the Hard Way

We found out on Monday that Jameson had cancer. Last night (Wednesday) we had to put him down. It was way too fast, but I guess better in the long run... less suffering for him, less confusion for the girls. Yesterday was a very bad day for me and a very hard one. I could tell Jameson was not right, I just did not know how bad he was. I was crying and lying with him on the floor. I was debating how much to tell the girls. When I told Maura we should be nice to him and love him because he was old for a dog and pretty sick, the questions started. Maura could turn a simple walk to the mailbox into twenty questions, so this was just way too much. Is he dying? Is he dying because he is sick or because he is old? How old is he? How old is Lexi? How come Lexi is older than Jay but not dying? How will he get to Heaven? Then she asked me how I knew he was going to die. How did I know dogs did not live as long as people? I said I had many dogs growing up so I knew what happened. She then replied, "So you learned the hard way mom, didn't you?"

We told the girls we were taking Jay to the Vet last night. We left them with my dad who put them to bed. As soon as she woke up this morning, she called me into her room and asked me how Jameson was. I told her he was in Heaven. She didn't believe me at first, but once she accepted it, she said, "I wish I didn't have to learn the hard way, Mom."

I wish you didn't either maura. and mags. and B. and KJ. I have a feeling I will feel like this a lot throughout my lifetime as a mom. Wishing I could shelter the girls from all that is not pleasant in the world. Wishing that the fact that I already learned it the hard way would count for something and give them a pass. I wish it worked that way. I wish that they would learn from my mistakes, be wiser because of my un-wise decisions, avoid making that same dumb decisions I made, simply because I tell them to. I know that will not happen. I know it is not realistic. I know they will be better off in the long run having learned life's lessons in a safe way while growing up, but it still stinks. Actually it pains my heart that I can't protect theirs.

We are so, so sad to not have our J dog greeting us at the door, barking at the deer, eating all the crumbs (except cheerios) that the girls drop. I already forgot twice today that he was gone. I really hope he is off chasing the angel-squirrels and playing catch with some kind and wise Saint. We will probably get another dog someday, but he'll never be our J Dog!

B's new term of endearment

B has a new thing she says.

I like you, I love you, and I believe you.

I think she may have been attending some covert therapy sessions to learn this phrase, but somehow she picked it up, and now the whole house has picked up on it. The other day I threw her for a loop when I proclaimed, I like you, I love you, but I don't believe you (she was proclaiming that if I let her out of the cart to walk in Target she would not run away or stray).

Dressed for success

Mags: Mom, do I have Gym class today?

Me: No, Mags. I think you have music?

Mags: Then why am I wearing my gym dress?

Me: Sorry, Mags, didn't realize that was your gym dress.