What a Difference 3 Months Makes....

Well Millie has been in Kindergarten now for 3 months. That means 3 months of my girl being gone 8 hrs a day. That means 3 months of someone else witnessing her sassy personality, major accomplishments, and new experiences. How does this make me feel. Torn. Most days my heart breaks a little when she gets out of the car. Most days I hang near the phone to make sure they don't call saying she needs me. But some days, and these are the most important days, I feel proud. She has grown so much in the last 3 months. She has grown socially and academically. She has so many little friends and is involved in Daisies. She has the most AR points in her class, was asked to join a gifted program, and has only brought home fantastic papers. There are occasions I don't recognize her anymore. She says some phrase I know I didn't teach her, makes some observation wise beyond her years, or speaks of her friends with such compassion, and her growth smacks me in the face. She has changed so much in 3 months, but then again so have I. I became the mother to a kindergartner, I received  24 hours of down time per week ( I work 2 days outside the home), and I have had to learn to release small bits of my heart. Honestly I believe she is handling the changes better, but I'm trying.

Preschool Update!

Preschool is almost over! I can't believe how much my little baby girl has changed since school started in August! She has really blossomed. Her social skills have never been an issue, but since school she is never at a loss for a friend story. I enjoy to the fullest her little gems of information about her school day. She tells me about snack, who got in trouble, who she had words with, and who did the best coloring. She has a little best girl friend, Lily. We've even had Lily over after school. It is amazing to see how much her little world has expanded.
As far as academics she has also grown so much. She was fairly knowledgeable before school, but now she has so much confidence in her intelligence. She knows all her letters, numbers and can write anything you spell for her. She can tell you stories of presidential history, how butterflies develop, and how flowers grow.
Next week she goes on her first big girl field trip, and I will be riding a bus for the first time in 16 years. Millie is so excited, and I am stocking up on Dramamine. We will be heading to the exotic location of Kentucky Down Under! She can barely wait to see the sheep! I love her so I can't wait either.

Then on May 21st, just 3 weeks away she will be graduating and readying herself to go to Kindergarten. Preschool has trained us for early mornings and school functions. We are ready for next year!

I Dreaming Of Warm Beaches....

Today is cold.... super chilly.... freakin freezing!

The Other Woman

There used to be a little tiny baby that lived in our house. Then there was a little toddler patting around. The sassy little girl moved in last year. This last few months I have found myself living with another woman. Discussing makeup, outfits and shoes. Taking her with me shopping is not a chore quite like it used to be. Now there is an opinion on my purchases other than my own. There is another person using my perfume. We are sometimes running behind for school because of accessories. She asks for purses and clothes for Christmas. I actually like her CD collection. She plays card games and we don't have to let her win. She handles tough situations with grace.  My tiny baby has slipped away almost entirely and I am making room for the other woman in the house, but I can't think of a better woman.

My New Years Resolution 2013

 I will try and see myself through my daughter's eyes.

Christmas Is Over But The Memories Remain....

Christmas Eve:

                                                     

Our Family Christmas:

 Mammy and Pappy Christmas:

 Millie's Preschool Christmas Party:

 Millie's Preschool Christmas Program:

 Papaw and Nonna Christmas:

MY CURRENT VIEW

Lazy Afternoon :) Love my girls!

Razzle Dazzle

(look how dirty that mirror is.... ugg)

So I set some time management goals last week and so far they are working out just fine. Yesterday while Millie was at school I spent my time "catching up" on housework, so today I was able to focus on my jewelry organization. It took about a hour to go through all the pieces and pair together all the earrings. I stumbled on many items I had forgotten, and will now get wear out of. It was definitely worth the time. When I picked Millie up we headed to Bowling Green to get the newest in a series of movies she loves. Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3. She can't get enough of those little dogs. Once we purchased the necessity at Target we headed over to one of my favorite places to shop, Fashion Bug. They are having an inventory sale and EVERYTHING was on sale 20-50% off. Millie was so patient and very into helping me pick out some items for my fall wardrobe. She is very opinionated.... I have no idea where that came from ;). I did buy a few things I normally wouldn't have, but when your little girl says, "Mommy I have always wanted you to have purple shoes.... maybe I can ask Santa to bring these to you... you know so I can try them on", well you buy the dang purple shoes! However, the purple shoes are pretty comfortable. Then we headed to sweet CeCes for  some frozen yogurt. Millie loves to sample everything. I think they give her 10$ worth of samples. Once she had downed enough Razzle Dazzle, we made a quick pit stop at the park. Today was too pretty not to take advantage of some slide time. I watched her play and I was reminded of how quickly she has grown. Today she buckled herself in the booster for the first time, and tonight she got herself out of the tub and into pajamas. These are wonderful things and I am grateful she is independent, but I also worry a little that she is getting less and less dependant on me. Don't get me wrong I am so grateful she is strong, healthy, smart and driven, but some days I just wish I could freeze her. I love my sweet precious opinionated shopping buddy.

A Chill In The Air

My favorite season is fast approaching! I am so excited! I love fall!!!! I love the crisp feeling, boots, spiced cider, stew, baked goods, oranges, plums, olive greens, and golds! Everything seems cozy and smells like cinnamon! I adore fall! I have been burning my new bath and bodyworks fall candles for the last week and I swear I sleep better at night and wake up happier. I enjoy the planning for Fall outings, especially since we had sweet Millie. Our families go to Jackson's orchard every year for pumpkins, Harvest on the Square to look at crafts and do some early trick or treating and this year we are adding a trip to the zoo. So if you see me out and you see a glint in my eye, you will know why, it's the most wonderful time of the year.

And Time Passes....

Grandparent's Day and Punkin Hits Double Digits!!!

Today was quite an eventful day! We celebrated grandparent's day at school and it was Punkin's 10th birthday! Millie's preschool put on a lovely program for the grandparents. Our lucky girl had all 4 of hers there! I hope she realizes how lucky she truly is! She did a great job singing and drew some of the best pictures. After the reception we all attended the book fair. Millie got a ton of books from the grandparents. She picked out all the Pokemon books. When we got home Millie and I made a birthday cake for Punkin. Actually Millie did most of the work, I just supervised. No one would believe me but the kid has been baking, I mean really baking since she was 2. She can crack and egg and turn on the kitchen aid mixer. If she was allowed to open the oven I would be out of a job. Once her cake cooled and she decorated it we had a little party for our beloved fur baby. It was a pretty nice day in the Cardwell house.

 Millie and the Birthday Girl before school

 Doesn't Mil look cute in her new Justice Dress Mam and Pap got her???

 Refreshments for the Grandparents

 They sang the sweetest song!! Millie did a great job!

 Papaw, Nonna and Mil- notice Papaw looking at Mil :)

 Pappy, Mammy and Mil- notice Pappy looking at Mil :)

 One lucky little girl with her favorite people in the world!

 Millie in the lead with her crew close behind

 The school was brilliant and had book fair on grandparent's week 

 Of course Millie got a "couple" of books

 The little boy is Mil's best friend Kane

 Hey! What happened to a "couple" of books?

 Punkin's cake

 Mil insisted we have her party in our bedroom.... here she is helping her blow out the candles

Sweet sisters.... enjoying their cake :)

Mommy Daughter Date!

Today could have been unpleasant.... it started at 3am. Millie came into our room coughing her head off, courtesy of the allergies that plaque her and my hubby. I gave her some cough syrup and allergy med, but they didn't "kick in" until 4:30am. She was finally able to go back to sleep in the bed with her Dad, I remained in the recliner in the bedroom. When Wayne woke me up at 6:10 I was hesitate to wake Mil. She just looked peaceful, finally. So after some debate and a phone call to the teacher (my mom) I decided to keep her home today. She woke up around 10 and I was braced for anger. I just knew she was going to let me have it for keeping her home, but bless her little heart all she she said was "I sure was feeling sick, I'm glad I got to rest". Once she got up and moving she was feeling fine so we decided to have a Mom and Daughter date. We headed to Gattiland! She loves it there and this time she really did eat instead of trying to get me to hurry so she could play games. When we headed back to the game room we were the only ones except for 2 teenage boys. I must confess my first thought was "great teenage boys, this could be interesting", but I should be ashamed of myself. They were super sweet to her and gave her 500 tickets!~!!~! She got to pick out lots of prizes! Then we headed to the mall, target and ended our trip at sweet Ci Cis frozen yogurt. It was a lovely day with my precious girl!

 My Best Little Friend!

 She is the sweetest little person!

 She was full of attitude today!

 Look at that hip!

 First stop Gattiland!

 So MANY tickets!!!

 So MANY prizes!!!

Tired girl... ready to go home :)