6/25/21 – So Long Pre-K!

This morning you finally woke up just before 8am. I was texting with Daddy because he was up early and started the drive back home from Ohio. I told him you were slow motion this morning and sent him this picture right before you woke up. You looked so peaceful.

We talked to Daddy and then you wanted to stop for donuts on the way to school so we did. You were making song requests in the car and you asked me to play Remember This by the Jonas Brothers. I immediately started to cry. I just can’t believe this is the last time I will drop you off at Discovery Days. You were excited which of course made me happy. We took some pictures and you confidently went through that gate like you have every day for the last three years. I am in awe of you – of how much you have grown, how much you have learned and how amazing you are. I’m grateful that your first experience with learning was in such a wonderful environment and I hope that continues in every school you attend as you grow.

When I picked you up it was sad for me but you were happy and you said “I will Miss Shelley though!” Ms. Amber & Ms. Marian were at the gate and gave us both hugs. Wow. Just like that…Pre-K is finished.

I took a minute to regroup in the parking lot, then I asked what you wanted to do to celebrate your last day and that we could do anything you wanted. You wanted to get donuts (again!), go to the mall and play, then get cheese pizza. So that’s exactly what we did – donuts first, then we went to California Pizza Kitchen & talked to Daddy on the way there. You also showed me all the artwork you brought home and explained everything to me, which was adorable. Grandma Noot met us at CPK for dinner and you told her about your day too. We ended up going to Nordstrom Rack instead of the play area at the mall because you wanted to get new Nike shoes. She bought you a big mermaid coloring poster and some hair clips. We bought Grandma Weezie a pillow that said “I Love You More” because she always says that to us. In the parking lot after we finished you were coaching her how to recite Little Bo Peep!! It was hilarious. We stopped by to drop off Grandma Weezies pillow and when she came outside you popped your head out of the window and told her “I love you more” and held the pillow up for her. It was so sweet & she was so surprised.

We headed home for movie night. We watched Mike’s New Car, a Monsters Inc short and then watched Raya. You told everyone we talked to that you were going to stay up all night and not go to bed at 9. I got up to switch the laundry over and when I came back, you were snoring. I turned the bed down, carried you in, laid you down and kissed your forehead. I’m so proud of you. You are so precious. Again, I would love to freeze time right here, but I am excited to watch you enter the next phase of your life.

I love you so much!

6/24/21 – I’m Gonna Be All Fancy

You finally got up at 8:10a & we FaceTimed with Daddy. While we were packing up to leave you asked Alexa to play Hammer Time. So we played it in the car on the way to school. You were loving it and dancing, but then didn’t want me to sing! Booo lol!

It was pouring rain when I picked you up from school. You got a little wet from the gate to the car and you were so mad you were crying! I told you my plan was to go to Publix with the covered parking garage so we could get some charcuterie for the ride to gymnastics. You were so upset and told me you didn’t want to go to gymnastics because of the rain and that you just wanted to go home. I honestly felt the same, so we did! When I told you we could go home, you were relieved and instantly happy again. You then told me “On the last day of school I’m gonna bring my Nikes and be all fancy, yeah” with a little giggle!

I texted Grandma Noot to let her know we were headed home because we were planning to meet her for dinner somewhere after gymnastics. Instead, she came over, we had dinner and watched Luca. She had to leave around 8p so we kissed her goodbye, drove to the mailbox to check the mail, then came home and finished the movie. When it was over, we went to my bed, read a couple of books and sent some pictures to Daddy. I accidentally had the camera turned the wrong way, so I took a picture of the door instead of you & you thought that was absolutely hilarious!! Then you wanted to take your own selfies and send them to Daddy. Once that was done, you were snoozing in no time!!

I love you so much!

6/23/21 – Mermaid In The USA

This morning you woke up at 7:30 excited for last Water Wednesday! You rolled around in bed, giggling for a few minutes. Then we talked to Daddy, you got dressed and did your jobs immediately so I offered to take you for a donut since we had extra time. You like to weigh yourself at Publix & you are now 57 lbs!

When we got to school, I took your picture on your rock and when we were walking to the gate Gracyn arrived you were excited and ran up and gave her a hug. The two of you walked in to school together and were ready for a fun day!

When I picked you up from school I told you I have a surprise! You had been asking for an electric toothbrush and I ordered a Moana one. It came today so when you opened it you were super excited!!!

I asked what you’d like to do tonight and you wanted to go to siesta and get mini donuts (donuts AGAIN??!?!?!). So we did. Then we rode the trolley around Siesta Key. You chatted with the driver, asked him his name, told him your name and told him about school today. It was so cute. When we got back to the village we grabbed food from The Hub and took it to the beach to have a picnic dinner. We had a little trouble with listening ears and talk back so I told you we had to go home and we would miss the sunset. We started walking back to the car you asked to start over and apologized so I went back to the beach. We saw a really cute puppy that you pet for a while and talked to her owner.

After sunset we headed home. We talked to Daddy briefly because he was at dinner. We snuggled and listened to the mediation turtle. You were out cold in a few minutes.

I love you so much!!!

6/22/21 – You Missed Your Friends!

This morning you chose your outfit and got ready for school so nicely, once you were up!! After school, Chrissy came over with Olivia & Kingston. You were so excited to play with them both since we hadn’t seen either of them for quite a while. I made stir fry & Kingston ate great, which is unusual. You & Olivia put up a good fight and hardly wanted to eat anything, which is also unusual! We watched went to bed in my room and listened to the meditation turtle. You were all snuggled up with me and snoring in minutes.

I love you so much!

6/21/21 – Because I Am Starving!

This morning, you sang Happy Birthday to Daddy on Facetime when you woke up. We also talked to Ms. Sandy while you were eating breakfast. We are having dinner with her tonight so we were trying to make a plan. You hurried and did your jobs without me even asking you and I was so happy about that!

I picked you up from school and we headed to Cheesecake Factory to meet Ms. Sandy. You were so happy to see her and gave her huge hugs. You immediately were in charge of giving her instructions on how to properly color all of our Water Wows.

When we got home, you ran and changed into your jammies so we would have time to watch an episode of Lion Guard. But, you got sidetracked and instead washed all of your sunglasses in my bathroom sink lol. Then, you ate a pack of cheese balls and told me you needed them “because I am starving”!! You ate two cheeseburger sliders, fruit and some of Ms. Sandy’s cheesecake so I have no idea how on earth you could be hungry, but you always find somewhere to put it!!!

We Facetimed Daddy & Aunt Karen for a bit and then we got ready for bed. We read two books and you were snoring by 9p. Sometimes you look so grown, but then I get to catch a photo like this where you still have chubby little kid cheeks and my heart melts. I sent it to Daddy and he said sleep my little angel. I wish I was there with you.

I love you so much!

6/20/21 – I Will Give You A Big Hug

You woke up at 7:30a, which surprised me. I thought you would sleep in a little bit later. You sent Daddy some Father’s Day voice messages. You said “Happy Father’s Day! I’m not glad you are on your own, but when you get back, I will give you a big hug!” He was so sad he couldn’t be with you today. You are missing him so much too.

Coach asked us to come for tennis at 9a instead of 8:15a so that was great. After the last lesson he asked me to drop you off the next time and walk around for 15 minutes or so to see if you did better paying attention. Of course you did. I just watched from behind a palm tree. I was so proud of you.

When we finished, I asked you if you would prefer to go to fancy breakfast or go home for breakfast. You opted for fancy breakfast & we met Chrissy & Olivia. You placed your own order and paid the bill when we finished.

We went home and watched Luca together. I offered to take you to the Meadows but you wanted to stay home! You wanted to play class. You and Harold were the new students in my class. You packed him a lunch box, with an ice pack, filled with carrots and fruit bars.

Unfortunately, Daddy’s Mom passed away today. This is certainly not how any of us hoped Father’s Day would be spent, but we will celebrate Daddy when he returns. He called us when he left the hospital and we got to chat for a little bit.

After that we rode bikes and your scooter. You stopped to check out a butterfly and to tell me all about them. We rode 4 laps then packed sandwiches for dinner and headed to the Meadows to swim for a bit. We were basically the only ones there the whole time. We did lots of races, diving, handstands and forward flips. All of a sudden around 7:30p you stood up, dried off and wanted to leave, so we did. We went home, showered, got out snacks and watched Luca again! We had a nice, fun, relaxing day together.

I love you so much!

6/19/21 – Kid Elevator

You woke up at 8:30a so excited. We called Daddy while we waited for Bianca to wake up. As soon as you heard Bianca’s voice you ran out to the living room to get her. We made breakfast and then headed to the pool. You & Bianca had a dance party in my car dancing to Dance Monkey!

When we walked in the park, you showed the girl working an information stand the rocks you found. You were so cute and As soon as we sat our stuff down, you ran up to ride the huge slide & loved it. We also went to the lazy river. You & Bianca ran, played & swam so hard all day. Bianca’s Dad got you guys some cool sunglasses. I was lifting you guys up over my head, separately and together in the pool, which you guys thought was hilarious and called the “kid elevator”. I think I did it a thousand times. My arms were sore, but it was worth it because you guys were having so much fun!

When we were finishing lunch, you got a very bloody nose. That was the first time it happened with me, but you said you’ve had one at school before. We went back to the lazy river for a little while. You took a few more turns on the slide and then we left around 5p to head home. You and Bianca got a toy at the gift shop on the way out.

We stopped at Publix on the way out of the resort to grab some charcuterie for the drive home. You ate two charcuterie snacks on way home then fell asleep the rest of the drive. When we got home I unloaded the car then got you out of your seat. I put you in bed for what I suspected was the rest of the night. You came out of my room a little after 9p. We snuggled on the couch in hopes you would go back to sleep. You were super thirsty and cold. You ran through the living room saying “I’m freezing…Like an ice cube lady!”

Since you were up, we took a quick shower. When you were washing your hair I asked you if you wanted to go to the Meadows tomorrow. You said “yes but I’m not gonna get wet because I’m not getting in this big mess again” talking about washing your hair!! We jumped back in my bed and watched Luca, the new movie that just came out on Disney+. We turned off the TV when it was over around 11p and went to sleep. I had a lot of fun with you today.

I love you so much!!

6/18/21 – Surprise Getaway

This morning, you got ready for school quickly and we were actually a few minutes early. I came to pick you up after lunch and I told you I have a surprise for you!!! We are running home and we have 5 minutes to pack our bags. We are going to Orlando, to stay at a hotel, with Bianca!!!! You squealed with excitement!!!! We ran home & packed and you wanted to wear your swimsuit in the car! We called Daddy from the car and you got to tell him where we were heading. A few minutes later you fell asleep and snoozed almost the entire way!

Becky & Bianca were outside the condo when we pulled in. You ran up to Bianca & gave her a huge hug. We threw our stuff in our room and headed straight to the pool. There was a water slide, which you guys went down like a million times. Then you were even making me take both of you on my lap down the slide!

We had dinner poolside and you played Marco Polo with a bunch of other kids. We swam & then hit the hot tub until the pool closed at 10p. We went back to the condo, you & Bianca took a bath and then climbed in bed to watch some videos. Finally we pulled you guys apart around 11p and you were both asleep in minutes!

I love you so much!

6/17/21 – Manatees Are ‘Stinct

This morning when I dropped you off, I took your photo in front of the gate sign. My mind immediately saw the photo from the first day of school and how little you were. Before I could leave the parking lot, I had to put the two photos side by side and I shed a tear. I am absolutely dumbfounded as to how this time has gone so fast! The side by side comparison is striking. Although it is clear that my baby is gone, you have grown into a really amazing, smart, strong, beautiful girl and I’m confident you will take over the world!

I picked you up for gymnastics. On the way, you were chatty so I tried to capture as much as possible. Often, if you realize I’m taking a video, you stop me…but I just want to catch as much as I can of your perfect little voice and the fun things you have to say. You learned about Manatees today and how the are “stinct” (extinct) because people try to put them in their boats lol.

We tried to stop at Dr. Dan’s office before gymnastics but they closed early today. You did great in class today. You really like Coach Trey! We went home for dinner and talked to Daddy before bed. When we got it bed you told me how you are missing him so much. I promise you he’s missing you too. This is one of the hardest weeks of his life. I wish we could be there to support him.

I love you so much!

6/16/21 – Donuts Before Dinner?

You really didn’t want to get up this morning. I kissed your forehead and whispered I don’t want you to miss water Wednesday. You opened your eyes and told me “I woke up before that noise went vrrroooom” (my hairdryer). We sent Daddy a good morning video. He sent one back and you watched it like 15 times then went to the kitchen to make him a card. When you finished we headed to school and you were excited to play in the water.

When I picked you up we were headed to meet Chrissy, Olivia, Kingston and Cheryl for dinner. You asked to stop at Publix for a donut on the way. You listened so well this morning that I said yes! You thought it was awesome to have donuts before dinner. You made a sticky note with your name on it for the bakery lady and the cashier. You asked each of them if they wanted you to write your first, middle or last name.

We headed to dinner. You waited patiently for our table coloring in your Water Wow books and shared nicely with Olivia & Kingston. You are your entire steak, applesauce and Mac & cheese.

We talked to Aunt Deb on the way home and Daddy once we got home. You asked him why it was taking so long to get his Mom better? Why isn’t it shorter?

You ate a banana and a half a popsicle, watched a little bit of paw patrol and put on two more graduation tattoos before climbing in bed.

I love you so much!