A Graduation, A Birthday, and An Anniversary

Woah . . . where do I begin? It's been so busy lately . . . living life and loving every minute of it . . . ok, not every minute . . . at least not the ones when Bella has been crying . . . which lately seems like a really lot of minutes . . .

So, speaking of Bella . . . she turned THREE!!!! Yup, its official . . . she is three and it is becoming apparent that the three's are going to be slightly more challenging than the two's. I know . . . its hard to look at this face and see anything but a cute, innocent little girl . . . .


BUT - trust me . . . she's got a mean streak . . . and it is out in full force these days. Bella is an emotional roller coaster. Parents of toddler girls . . . is this normal? Did that kick to the head alter her personality somehow??? Anything can set her off, sending her into a fit of tears and panic. It is mainly directed toward me . . . she has a "mommy" complex. I cannot leave the room or take a potty break without her next to me. She constantly asks for hugs and kisses, which I know you are all saying "Oh, that is so cute!" I agree . . . it is totally precious and cute . . . the first 4 times she does it, but when she's asked you for a hung 17 times and you've only been awake for 2 hours . . . not so cute anymore.

I know I should embrace this . . . one day I will beg her for hugs and she will roll her eyes at me and walk away. However, I seriously think her behavior is starting to make me lose my mind a little bit . . .

So, even with half a mind I planned a little party to celebrate our Bella. I asked a lady that I work with if she would make Bella's cake . . . when I got to her house I saw this . . .


Isn't it the coolest cake you've ever seen?!?! Well I thought it was . . . so if you have a girly girl like mine and want a doll cake - I'll hook you up with Glenda - super nice lady . . . awesome cake!

We had a couple of kids over and did a pinata . . . other than the weather totally NOT cooperating with us, it was a great time. She got to open some really cool presents . . . and here she is showing off her freshly lip glossed lips . . . so pretty.


So as if my baby turning three doesn't make me feel old enough . . . Kadin graduated from 4-K this week. Gheesh! I can see the nursing home is right around the corner!

This is Kadin's graduating 4-K class.

The graduation ceremony was great. They marched in to the graduation song (does that song have a name?) and then sang a bunch of songs they learned throughout the year. I had to look around at some of the other parents because I was really having a hard time keeping it together. I was so emotional . . . it was just a really proud moment for me. Kadin is such a super little kid . . . and when I saw him up there singing . . . so proud of himself . . . it was more than I could handle.

Each child received a diploma, and when the teacher handed them out . . . each child also received an award for a characteristic that set them apart from the other students. Kadin received his award for "Magnificent Memory" which is sooooo true!!! She really knew our son well . . .



The ceremony ended with the teacher reading a letter to the parents. She spoke about how we trusted her with our children many months ago and now she is handing them back to us . . . during the middle of her speech, she became choked up and started to cry. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house . . . she's a really neat teacher. Kadin will miss you Mrs. Fredy!!

So, there you go . . . my children are growing up way too fast and I feel old as dirt. Oh - and speaking of old as dirt - HA! . . . how is it possible that I've been married for nine years??? On this very day nine years ago . . . I married my best friend. I was thinking today about those nine years . . . to me, it really doesn't seem like nine years . . . or maybe nine years just really doesn't seem that long. I've had so much fun! How many people get to spend nine years with their best friend?

Seriously . . . how lucky am I? I get to hang out with my best friend almost every day . . . we've made two beautiful kids together . . . and I get to say that the teacher all the girls drool over is my very own husband. Not bad for nine years if you ask me . . .

Love ya babe!