Addie's Spring Program

Last week, ok really, the week before, Addie's mother's morning out had a spring program.

Over 60 children. Over 60 young 3 year old children. All on risers. On a stage.

No one ran off the stage. Only one or two cried. No one fell off the risers. And only one or two yell-sang instead of singing voice sang.

I'd say that's pretty impressive!

Ms. Deborah (Addie's teacher last year) offered to let the little girls stay with her in the baby room so Paul and I could watch the program. I took pictures and he took video, neither of which we'd have been able to do while holding a child. So thankful!

I told Addie beforehand that I would be taking pictures...but not of her. Just of her friends. All I can say is that it worked. And there was not a single picture I got that didn't have a friend in it either! So I was truthful. I just cropped them all out to post here. :)

As they walked up on stage and sat down, I could feel myself fighting back a few tears. She looked so big. Too big. So independent. I'd have it no other way. I am so proud of her. As time has gone by, we have loved every most new phases and stages, but there will always be that part of me that will miss those days gone by.

They said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang Red, White, and Blue (which you may remember from here).

Addie pretty much started out like this. Can we say deer in headlights?

They sang: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock, If You're Happy and You Know It, Eency Weency Spider, Jesus Loves Me, John 3:16, and the ABC's Song.

She actually sang and did the motions too!

But my favorite has to be Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee:

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee.
Ouch! It stung me!

I'm squishing up my baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm squishing up my baby bumblebee.
Eew! It's yucky!

I'm wiping off my baby bumblebee.
Wont my mommy be so proud of me?
I'm wiping off my baby bumblebee.
Now my mommy won't be mad at me!

See her bumblebee in her hands?

And then they sang God Our Father, which is actually a blessing, for their last song. It was so sweet!

Afterwards, they had a party! Addie was clearly ready to get to the party, but I at least got one picture with her and Daddy! (she's holding up 3 fingers because she is 3 years old, just in case you missed that :)

We (Paul) did manage to get most of it on video. Unfortunately, it cut off right as they were starting the Bubblebee song! It's pretty long (almost 10 minutes), but I'm posting it for the grandparents and Nana (and of course whoever else wants to watch it ;)

This school year has marked a lot of milestones for our girl. Lots of growing up. Lots of transitions and change. Her teachers loved her through it all, and for that, we will be eternally grateful to them!

Next year, she'll be in real preschool! Slow down big girl, slow down!

CowGIRL

It's Rodeo week at Addie's preschool.

So off I went to Target and Thomas' house to roundup (ha!) an outfit for Addie.

We had the jeans covered.

But boots and a cowboygirl shirt and a hat. Nope. None of it!

She woke up Tuesday morning and found the hat (Target) and boots (Thomas').

I asked her if she wanted to dress up like a cowgirl for Rodeo day.

no-uh...

no?

I want to be a cowBOY.

Oh. Lesson on the difference between a cowgirl and a cowboy ensued.

All good!

We got everything on but the boots: socks, jeans, shirt (Thomas'), belt (Thomas'), bandanna (Thomas').

It took a good 15 minutes to get those boots on. I kept asking her if she wanted to wear her boots.  

No-uh. I have to wear Thomas' cowboy boots!

Pull. Tug. Stand. Stomp. Point. Push. Success!

Then came the hat, and I told her we would be going outside to take pictures.

You know where that led...

...to a strawberry marshmallow bribe.

The deal? Picture and a happy heart while taking them!

You think it worked?

Of course this is how it started...

And with a super fake smile!

She kept her hands on her hat almost the whole time...

...but it made it worth capturing her real smiles!

Day 2 of MMO

not a {tear} was shed this morning

i even managed to grab a few {pictures} without a tantruming 2 year old

no smiles. just squints from the sun and blank stares.

until she realized {what i was doing}

i'll take what i can get :)

Enrolled!

Well...I did it (the week before Christmas, that is). Addie is now officially enrolled in Mother's Morning Out. It wasn't that I was hesitant about doing it. I knew exactly where I wanted her to be...it was just the timing.

When Addie was first born, I got a lot of pressure to "just leave her" (with whomever, in the nursery, etc.). Again, it wasn't that I wouldn't ever leave her...it was just the timing! I knew that when I was ready that I'd be ready...and it would be before she was five (or walking or even talking)! For those of you wondering; yes, I have left her...many times now! I know the importance of having children interact with others besides us! BUT...I also know a mother should heed her intuition.

So...I'll get off my virtual soapbox and back to Mother's Morning Out. A local church has an excellent preschool program from 1-3 days a week that goes all the way up to a 5 day kindergarten. They have an outstanding reputation, but it's an incredibly difficult program to get in unless you're enrolled early on. (like parents wait in lines for hours to get in their Pre-K 4 classes!) Well...we're in and now we have early enrollment for next year (and the next and the next)! For the remainder of this school year, Addie will go one day a week for 3 hours (with the option of staying longer for lunch bunch).

I met her teachers the Tuesday before Christmas (although I knew one from when I was in the youth group there) and got to see Addie's little big classroom. It's actually the only class where there's an opening! So Addie will start on January 7th!

Perfect timing!!!

Oh...and Happy New Year! :)