Day at the park

Spring is teasing us here in California.

Today was a beautiful day.

Thursday the rain is supposed to come back.

I'm on vacation and enjoying every minute of the sun.

This park has been our nemesis for several years.

Lily has wanted to play on the big kid side,

but she was so unsure of doing any of the activities here.

She would try to be brave but then fear would overtake and

we would end up crying and scared to go up or down.

I was amazed the other day we went to the park

and just went up and down all the equiptment

like we'd been doing it all our lives.

Then a little girl talked to her.

Usually when this happens Lily walks the other way.

On this particular day she told the little girl her name

and then they played and played.

That was on Sunday.

Today we went back to the park we had conquered

to take pictures of our accomplishments.

This is one area that ended in tears quite often.

She'd go up get scared and just cry.

Not anymore big girl!

The slide was our other trouble spot.

It is a terrible slide. It is a skinny platform with no sides.

I've seen several kids fall right off.

I didn't get a good picture but Lily went up and down

all day long.

She even fell off the bottom.

I thought we were done.

About 20 minutes after her fall she went right back on.

We are a big girl but we still prefer these swings.

This mama loves her big girl,

but I also loves that she still lets me call her baby.

On a different note I got an email from Lily's teacher

the email said she is hands down the most improved student.

I am so proud of my girl.

She has impressed me beyond measure with how far she has come.

Vocabulary has skyrocketed, she has learned her letters, numbers and is reading sight words!

I love these things but I am most impressed with her social skills.
So impressed in fact that we are going to try a dance class tomorrow.

I think she is ready.

Baby Tiger

Lily wanted to take the dogs on a pretend walk.

Which means she wanted to tie a rope or something rope like

around their necks drag them around the house.

No one likes this except for Lily.

It's simply not aloud.

So, after repeatedly telling Lily no

she retreated to her room to pout.

Peter is a softy and hates it when she pouts.

So he found a solution.

Now Baby Tiger gets to go on lots and lots of walks.

In case you are worried about baby tigers safety

no need

He is even outfitted with a seat belt.

I don't know how much I've blogged about Baby Tiger. I know he has appeared here and there but he is a part of our family. He is also very sneaky and sneaks his way on many of our adventures. He simply is a must at bed time and has almost been lost on several occassions. Baby Tiger and Lily have there own special language. It is a high pitched squeaking noise and it is the homing call. Lily runs around the house when baby tiger is lost and calls his name and then Baby Tiger calls back to her with the high pitched squeak. She actually believes he is going to come!

shhhh it's almost s......

It was 71 degrees and sunny.

I so needed the sun.

We went to one of our favorite places and took a walk.

And yes these are Lily's hiking clothes.

Lily is really proud of being 5.

Whenever she writes her name she tacks the number 5 on the end.

Just in case we may forget that she is a big girl.

There was a phantom rock in Lily's shoe.

We had to stop every so often and take off our shoe and search for the rock.

By every so often I mean about every 20 steps.

I have no idea what was bothering her.

And nothing to end a perfect walk than the reward of throwing

rock after rock after rock

in the river.

I love when I can capture her true smile and not the camera one.

Just the kind of day I needed.

Thank you Mr. Sun.

I've heard he's leaving again.

I hope he comes back again real soon!

Hodge podge

We started out the weekend playing with our friends.

I love hangin with these people and their children.

I didn't get any good pictures cause no one had time to stand still
That's a sign of a successful playday.

Next momentous occasion in our house.

We went to the store and purchased new shoes.

Lily is quite the shoe nut.

She gets a pair of shoes and will not wear any other shoes

for a very, very long time.

And then the super bowl.

As you can see Lily is just as interested as I am.



Although I do love the snacks that go along with the big game.

And then just for fun some school pictures.

Fun with friends.

Swingin'

And reading!!!!

Yes that's right.

She knows all the words on this board except for here.

Waiting an extra year before starting K is the best

parenting decision I have made.