X-Squad

Violet has been taking gymnastics for the past three years. She started in the 3 year old class, where she would wander around, not really listening. When she did participate, she would just do the parts she liked and nothing else. She got better at listening, and she got better at following the coaches directions. Finally, this year, they decided she was listening well enough to join the X-Squad which is the exhibition squad. Most anyone can be on the X-Squad, so it was really sad when they told her no last year. But this year, yes. You should have seen her face the first night. She was so proud of herself. I can't believe I didn't have the camera.

A couple weeks ago, it was picture night. Violet had her picture taken with the entire team. She had to wear her uniform (well, the leotards are on backorder, so they wore their t-shirts, sweatshirts and little velvet shorts). Part of the uniform is two french braids. Yeah, you heard that right. Two. French. Braids. For my girl who won't let me get within three feet of her with a brush. (Though I have to say - at least she usually brushes it herself now).

Imagine my surprise when she sat still for the 20+ minutes it took me to put these braids in her hair. Doesn't she look marvelous?

 

 Don't be fooled. She is still the Violet you all know and love, no matter what her hair looks like.

She did really well for the group picture, but her individual picture - well - I'll have to show you when we get it back. It was part Walk like an Egyptian and part goofball. Pure Violet.  A couple years ago it would have bothered me, but no longer. I know when I'm beat.

Happy birthday, Violet

I know I am late with this post. Violet has been 6 for more than a week. She hasn't had a party yet, though, because the poor kid was sick the day it was to happen. She did bring cupcakes to school on the 22nd, though. And she went to her favorite restaurant, Applebees. Here is a little photo retrospective for you. All these were taken within a month or so of her birthdays.

6 years old

Practicing flying. Such a clever and determined kid.

 

5 years old

Oh, the attitude. Who cares if mom wants a picture.

 

Four years old

She definitely has her own creative agenda.

Three years old

Back in the day she still let me put fabulous pants on her.

 

Two Years Old

Determined and stubborn and funny and crazy.

One Year Old

Already funny and amazing, Violet was the queen of the land.

 

One month old

We could not even begin to imagine what was in store for us.

Happy Pagan Holiday

Violet had a very specific request this year regarding her Halloween costume. She wanted to be a bat, and she wanted to have all of her be black, including her face, which she wanted to have a black mask just like the Red Robin at the Red Robin restaurant where we went with Auntie Karen and Baby Amelia. Okaaaay. And just how do you ask for that kind of fabric at the store?

Stella just wanted to be a mermaid. And, as usual, she was pleased with whatever I did as long as it was pretty and sparkly.

We went to downtown trick-or-treating. It was a balmy fall day - 66 degrees - lovely. Crisp leaves, outstanding autumnal decor - this picture was at the Kennebunk Inn.

The only problem was; no one told us that downtown trick-or-treating was the day before Halloween. The town gets a big dope slap for that one. Why trick-or-treat on a Friday night when Halloween is on a Saturday?

So we headed over to Duffy's, the new decent pub/restaurant in town. And it was nice just to be together, in a restaurant, both kids sitting on their chairs and being restrained. It was nothing short of a miracle. And they have help-yourself-popcorn.

And then we trick-or-treated the residential section all the way home. Sort of. We hit almost a dozen houses before the kids were done.

With a little encouragment the kids made it the whole half a mile to Grandy's house, where in Violet's words "Bubby said I could take whatever I wanted." Violet's bucket was twice as full as Stella's if that gives you any idea of what she wanted.

And now the kids are in bed. We sorted the goods when we got home, and Violet and Stella did some shockingly good trading. Stella can't have the candy with milk chocolate, so Violet offered up Smarties, Skittles and a sucker in trade. I was impressed.

Something has happened to Jason, though. It's not the pensiveness - he is often pensive. He just seems different somehow. Maybe a little protective of his candy bowl? The trick-or-treaters were actually skipping our house.

I'm her mother. Of course I'm biased.

But tell me this isn't the most darling thing you have seen all day.

We were out exploring the Maine countryside, looking at a hydroelectric dam, when Stella had her first experience with a pile of dry leaves.

 

 And her first experience with milkweed pods. What do you see in there, Stella?

"Spider"

No, Sweetheart, it's not a spider.

Okay, then!

And Auntie Karen, this is for you.

Sweet, sweet girls

Last night as Stella was lying in bed in the dark waiting to fall asleep we had a conversarion that went like this:

"Mommy I have tell you somefing."

"What, Stella?" 

"I seeping. You take my picture I seeping?" 

"Yes, Stella, I'll take your picture when you're sleeping."

 

Despite the less than ideal lighting in these, I can't help but post them. They're classic Violet. All of them.

And Uncle Kentie, they love their jerseys. I'm sorry it didn't help.

School Days

 

Violet started Kindergarten yesterday. Two years ago when she started at Bear Hugs, her teacher, Miss Jen, told me that I would be amazed at how much she would change, and she was positive Violet would go to a regular Kindergarten. I didn't admit them then, but I had my doubts.

 

We all walked with her to the bus stop. Later she would tell me that riding the bus was her favorite part of the day because she got to do it twice.

 

She met Josh, the other kid who gets on at her stop. When she saw him again today, they were like old friends. He is in 4th grade, mind you. 

Violet: Hey Josh, how do you find a lost rabbit? You make a noise like a big carrot!!!

Josh: heeeheeeheee

 

EEEEE! Here it comes! Here Comes The Bus! Yes, it's a short bus but Violet is quite happy with it. The aide is named Bernie, the driver is Cheryl, and her seatmate is Kimberly. She is first on the bus and she sits by the window. Oh, and it is Van 4.

 

Violet waves goodbye to Jason and Stella and off they go.

 

Someone is not too happy about all this. Aw, don't get your panties in a bunch. Stella goes to school, too (though not on a bus, much to her dismay).

 

Her first day was a full week before Violet's. Violet and I drove her to school so Violet could be the big sister and show her what to do.

 

Violet: "And you go down the path this way, but don't go on the wall and don't go on Mr. Rob's grass..." as though Stella has not done it a thousand and one times before when we dropped off Violet. Stella has been chomping at the bit for about a year to go to preschool.

 

Stella settled herself right in and started on her 'work'. Violet gave her a hug and kiss goodbye. What this picture doesn't show is the roar of crying toddlers. Stella was one of the few who wasn't bawling. Even Miss Jen's daughter Kellsie, who has been in every class since she was born and lives upstairs, had eyes brimming with tears. It was downright awful, but it made my leave taking that much easier (and quicker, definitely quicker!) Stella was the one crying at the end of the day as I was dragging her away.

 

 I can't believe my kids are so big. I find that the time during which Stella is in preschool goes by ever so quickly (I have a lot of bon bons to make up with dontcha know).

What throws me is the days when Stella and I have nothing to do. No schedule, no driving every which way to therapies, no lunch on the run. It is very, very weird, and I think we are going to get used to it pretty easily. We all heart Kindergarten.