The Good, The Bad, and The "Oh Boy..."

The Good:

Zachary to Lexi, presenting her with a pink frog, "Here you go Lexi!  This is for you!"
Lexi, "Wow!  Thanks Zachary!  Is it Christmas?"
Zachary, "No.  It's a frog!"

The Bad:

Lexi, running into the bathroom where I was showering, "MOM!!  Zachary pushed me!"
Me, "He did?  What happened?"
Lexi, "Well, he took one of my bears that I didn't say he could have, and while I was trying to get it out of his hands, I accidentally knocked him off the bed..."
Zach, "whimper..."

The "Oh Boy..."
Lexi, from the backseat during a long car ride, "Mom and Dad, where does space end?"
After picking our chins up off the floor, Ahren and I laughed and I replied, "Lexi, that is a question that will torture you for the rest of your life."
Lexi, "Why?"
Me, "Because if space ends, what is after that?"
Lexi, "Rocks?"
I think we're going to have to let her watch more Discovery Channel.

Cousins

Have you ever seen a cuter group of children? Lexi and Zachary took little Eva for a stroll during our Father's Day picnic on Sunday. We spent a lovely afternoon with the Lippman clan at Hopkinton State Park where we had lunch, relaxed, and even let the kids play in the pond for awhile. It was a nice way to spend a beautiful spring day, and celebrate some of the Dads we love.

As a side note - Eva took off walking on her own just three days after this picture was taken. Her cousins will take all the credit for that. ;) When I showed Zachary the video of her walking he said, "Awe! I so proud of her!"

Preschool Graduate!

It is nearly impossible to believe that Lexi could have graduated from preschool today.  Yes, I know that preschool probably has a damn near 100% passing rate, but it simply seems unbelievable that she could be old enough to move on to Kindergarten.  But it's true - this kid is ready to go, and we couldn't be more proud of her.

Last week I got her report card, and I'm sure I'm not surprising anyone when I say that I sat in the car and cried while reading it.  I actually did pretty well getting through four pages of "Shows a consistent understanding of concept" and "Lexi is a pleasure to have in class", etc.  It was a glowing report card if I've ever seen one.  But it was the very last sentence that started the waterworks, "Lexi loves physical play and is very proud of her fast running."  Frankly, she should be.  And I am too.  So proud.  She's come a long way, baby, and that confidence she has is simply amazing.  I know she's off to do amazing things in the years ahead of her.

Today was her final preschool graduation.  She actually had two, because they are divided by MWF and T/Th classes, of which she attends both, but today was the "real" graduation.  Gigi, Poppy, Daddy and I enjoyed the wonderful performance she put on with her classmates, and looked on with pride as she received her preschool diploma.  I was mostly just proud that I was able to keep the crying to a dull roar, and not completely embarrass her - impressive considering she made me cry by opening a card that played pomp and circumstance in the card store the other day.
I'm A Star
Earth Day Birthday
NEMS Moving On Song

After we said goodbye to her friends and teachers (until we see them next week for camp), Ahren, Gigi and I took Lexi out to lunch.  But the real treat was what she found waiting for her in the car.  Some kids get cars when they graduate from high school (some kids, not you Lexi and Zach...just in case you're reading this!), so we thought it would be appropriate to get Lexi a new ride as well.  She is officially in a booster seat, which has already proven to be more exciting for me than for her, as she can now buckle and unbuckle herself.

All in all it was a lovely day, and we are so proud of our big girl!  On Friday we have invited the entire graduating class of NEMS to our house for a party.  And they're calling for rain.  Oh well, who needs the sun when you're surrounded by good friends...and we certainly made a lot of those in the last 2 1/2 years at NEMS.

Lexi's Birthday Circle

At NEMS, all of the summer babies have their school birthday celebrations in the last weeks of school.  Today was Lexi's 6th Birthday Circle Celebration, and I was invited to go along.  I had so much fun with Lexi and her classmates.  First they sat at circle time and Lexi showed on picture from each year that she has been alive. 

Next she presented one item from each year, which signified her favorite toy of that year:
0-1 - Daddy's rattle
1-2 - Her elastic and bead ball
2-3 - Her Snap and Style dolls
3-4 - Dress up shoes
4-5 - The necklace she wore in Auntie Jen and Uncle Devan's wedding
5-6 - The first two books she read all by herself - Happy Halloween, Mittens and Run, Dogs, Run.

Next she held an earth, and walked around the sun six times while her classmates counted each of her trips around the sun.  Video of this here.

Finally, Lexi and I handed out the supplies for her birthday craft.  Each child received a small paper box with paint and stickers to decorate.  The class had a good time doing this, and I was impressed with all of their creativity in decorating.

It was during the craft that I overheard the cutest conversation between two of her classmates.
Girl - "Look, I made the cross!"
Boy - "The cross of Jesus?"
Girl - "Yea!"
Boy - "That's so cool!  I LOVE the cross of Jesus!!  Did you know there is a cross of Jesus on top of our school?"
Girl - "Uh, yea!  That's because we're in a church."
Another Girl - "I go to another church.  In Acton."

NEMS is not a Catholic School, so this was a surprising, and very cute conversation.

I am so proud of Lexi, and I had a great time celebrating her fake 6th birthday with her this morning.  Next week...preschool graduation!!!

Funny

More funny things my kids say...

Zach, talking on the phone with Gigi about going there for dinner:
Zach, "And after I will go in my car and go home, and you and Poppy will go into your house?"
Gigi, "Yes."
Zach, "Because my house is not stuck to your house.  My house is stuck here...to the grass."

Lexi, while reviewing the booster seat options I was presenting to her:
"Well, that one is nice Mom, but you know I am kind of outgrowing the color pink."

Zach, as we were pulling away from a fun party for Tommy's 2nd birthday:
"Phew!  That was a great day!"

Lexi, after watching Pocahontas:
"Mommy, the end of that movie almost made me cry.  My chin looked (wrinkling her chin) like this I was so close to crying."  and then "I can't believe that bad guy shooted John Smith.  And he was even on his team!  You're not supposed to shoot someone on your own team!"  and then after a few minutes, "Mom, can you imagine if something like that happened here?"  
I really thought I would have to explain things like, "How do babies get here?" before I would have to explain things like war.

Lexi, after I asked her how she liked my outfit (which happened to be gray):
"Well, it's the color of rocks...but...it still looks good!"

My kids are just such a pleasure all the time.  And nothing makes me happier than when they play well together, and take care of each other.  Lexi has started helping Zachary get dressed and put his shoes on in the morning.  Here is a cute video of one such morning.