children

I’ve talked before about using Teach Your Child to Read 100 Easy Lessons to teach Emma to read.  I could have sworn as different as Emma and Lexi are that it wouldn’t work for Lexi, but it is!  Off and on the past year or so I’ve been pulling the book out.  Most of the time, Lexi would get frustrated very fast and we’d put it away to try for later.  As Kindergarten looms, I’ve mentioned her learning before school starts and tonight she randomly asked to pull it out.  Well, in 30 minutes or less she was putting small words together and getting it!  It was very interesting to see how Lexi seemed to really want to understand what the word meant and wanted to make sentences with it whereas Emma was just about getting it down and moving on.

You are completely free to not watch this but my heart pitter-patters when she reads a word and really gets what it is!  Also, notice that I tried to use her love language (touch) in congratulating her.  A small tip for those with children that speak that language!  Also? I have my cute gray shoes on and one of my Loft shirts 😉

Last picture…

Last determined look…

First cuts…

More cutting…she was as still and pleasant as they come…

Do you get the feeling she’s happy about it?

The salon puts glitter stamps on their cheeks.  Even Emma got in on the action

Don’t these highlights make you a little bit jealous?

Is that a look of satisfaction or what?  Oh man, are we in trouble.

I think she looks ready for Kindergarten next month, doncha think?

Big news in the Bennett Household…Lexi wants her hair cut.

Doesn’t sound like a big deal to most, but it is.

Lexi has been known for her long her from birth.  She came out with hair already starting down her back. 

By 3, it was down to her waist. 

Then, you may remember, she cut her hair for a “fashion show” with a neighbor. 

It’s grown several inches since then…

but this week she declared she wanted it cut…and now.  There’s no talking her out of it.  We’ve shown her old pictures, grandmothers have expressed their shock, appointments have been made but nothing seems to snap her out of it.  And I’m ok with that.  I thought she was cute with it short and it’s so much easier than her long, thick tangly hair.

By the end of the day we shall see if she really wanted it cut!

Lexi and I are walking out of preschool summer camp today quietly and overhear a conversation with the family and guest next to us.  There was a mom, an older boy, his sister and a little girl from Lexi’s class.  This is the last part we caught

Sarah: He told them his parents were in a car wreck.

Mom: Braden!  You’re 9 years old.  It is not nice to make stuff like that up.  Kelly, I apologize for Braden’s behavior.  We do not make stuff like that up in our family.  Braden, you know better!

They walk off to their car and Lexi and I head towards ours.

Lexi: Sarah should get that shirt that says “My brother belongs in the zoo.”

I feel like this needs some documentation.  The girls have been collecting empty bottles and putting them on their headboard.  I don’t know why I let them really.  I guess no good reason not to.  The question is why?  Why are they collecting empty bottles on their headboard?

You might guess they are saving them to recycle. But oh no.

Maybe they want to reuse them for a fun summer craft project?

Maybe as trophies to show who drank more?

However, if you happen to guess they are pretending they are microphones and have so many so each of their pretend club members have one, you might be right!  Ding, ding, ding!

Nearly three years ago we sent little Lexi off to preschool without a hitch.  It hasn’t been without its drama.  I mean, COME ON, days with bad snacks and no playground time is grounds for timeout for a preschool.  But she made it through.  In fact, she sailed through with flying colors.  Lexi loves preschool and loves, loves, loves her friends.  She is constantly wanting to call one of them and is setting up plays and playdates for them all.  I have been so thankful for amazing teachers for Lexi and it’s just a wonderful program.  Today Lexi graduated and barring anymore children, it was our last day with them. 

Lexi was very serious about singing What a Mighty God We Serve and I Am a Promise and the few songs they did with hand bells.  She gets serious about the hand bells.  She was so cute tapping her foot and a scrunching her forehead trying to get it just so.

As expected, I got a little teary at “I’m a Promise”. I dare any of you to watch your child sing that and not get weepy.  Overall, I held up better than I did with Emma.   Then again, that’s not saying much.  It’s not that I was any less sad to leave or less proud of her.  In fact, I was probably more sad since that is the last time we will go there.  Such a great preschool program.  I couldn’t ask for any better.  I guess it’s just that Lexi is so excited to go to “big school” so it’s a little easier to let go.

Also as expected, since Lexi proclaimed this morning that she got to do whatever she wanted since it was her graduation day, we stopped at McDonald’s on the way home.  Man, I’m gonna miss my little Lexi begging me to go to McDonald’s on the way home from preschool.  And her concentrated look at the window driving down the Interstate.  And the way she crosses her legs when she’s sated.  And my little buddy that goes with me to the bank and post office and grocery store.  But onwards and upwards.  It’s about her not me.  So congratulations, Lexi. I can’t wait to walk you into “big school”!