Trustworthy Trait

Dear Nora,

I wanted to remember a cute exchange you had with Daddy recently when Luke and I were at baseball one night. The two of you sat down to dinner and you said, "Mommy did something great. We can choose a pumpkin napkin or a regular one. I choose pumpkin." 

Daddy: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Nora: A mommy. But I'd have to save up a lot of money.

Daddy: For what?

Nora: All the furniture.

Daddy: What would you like most about being a mommy?

Nora: Playing with my children.

Daddy: What would you like the least?

Nora: Dealing with them when they have a bad attitude.

You continue to be sweet as ever and just say the cutest things! Mrs. Jurena chose you last month as the kindergartener in her class that represented the character trait of the month, Trustworthiness. You told us they called you over the intercom and you walked to the library all by yourself to have your picture taken. Then Luke saw the picture on the announcements. We are so proud of you and not the least bit surprised that she chose you!

Love,

Mommy

Kindergarten

Dear Nora,

We are 7 days in to kindergarten and you are transitioning so well! I'm so pleased it's really going better than I expected it would be this early in the schoolyear. I think doing the transition program last year was so good for you and it's been fun for you to be a Bentley Blazer yourself after seeing all that Luke has gotten to experience over the last few years. After we first saw your classroom at Meet the Teacher, you happily blasted down the hallway, bouncing with energy and enthusiasm, so that was a good start! 

When you came home from school on Monday you told me it took forever, and you didn't get to play, but that your teacher was really nice. And you were up and getting dressed on your own the next morning, happy to return. Wednesday when I was fixing your hair, you said, "I love school," which was wonderful to hear. Your least favorite part is recess, because it's so hot, crowded, and loud. You've started to mention a few names of new friends: Brooke, Brooklyn, and Bryleigh. Your teacher has let me know you are doing fabulous adapting to kindergarten. 

Maybe it's been a harder adjustment for me! I do love some quiet and extra time, but I certainly miss you and especially our fun Fridays. I'm so glad we treasured your pre-k year, made the most of our Fridays together and lived it up this summer. We filled our days with swimming, trampolines, bowling, movies, playdates, and vacations, so our summer was not wasted! You are ready as can be for this new adventure at the "big kids school" and even told Daddy last night while looking at your pre-k yearbook, that you're glad you're in kindergarten now and not still pre-k. How wonderful that you already feel that way! I pray it's a wonderful year of growth for you in every way. And I'm looking forward to bringing you Chick-fil-A for lunch soon. :)

Love,

Mommy  

Six!

Dear Nora,

Today you declared that you've been 6 for 6 days, and you're right! We celebrated big with a splash pad party with preschool friends the week before big siblings got out of school. Then Honey and Grandpa came in town over the weekend and we had a family party with all 4 grandparents. You were delighted with all your mermaid decorations, strawberry cake, and presents, including a scooter, mermaid doll, walkie talkies, and bangle bracelet to match mine. What a doll you are!

A few things I've noticed about you at this stage...

When I suggest something you're excited about, like going to the pool or having a treat, you excitedly say, "Yes!" or "Finally!" 

You can be slow to move when it's time to brush your teeth or fix your hair, so I've discovered a trick to get you moving. I tell you, "I'm gonna beat you", and you quickly rush ahead of me to the bathroom, then proudly tell me you won! 

You used to write Nora L. every time you signed your name because of your friend Nora O. in the 4's class. But lately I've noticed you dropped the L. and color in the "o" and the "a".

Daddy says you don't walk anywhere, but rather skip or prance. It's true!

When you like something I do for you, you'll give me a hug and say, "Best mommy ever!" Of course I don't mind hearing that. :)

When you're concentrating on something, like snapping or the cup song, you flare your nostrils.

You've started saying, "oh great" when I want to take a picture of you. When I asked you about it, you told me Leah says that. You've started to get a tad embarrassed when all the attention is on you, like when your friends sang "happy birthday" or when you performed for graduation.

You are often humming to yourself. In the car, you're usually singing along to the worship songs and will ask me to turn it up if it's a song you really like.

You are quite the artist. We're impressed with what you can draw and with your creative ideas. Today at the pool you were pointing out all the things you were seeing in the big, puffy clouds. "Look, there's a reindeer!"

You have a great sense of humor and crack us up, often without even meaning to!

You have a compassionate heart. I was having a hard day recently and you came up to me repeatedly just to give me a hug when you knew I was sad. We attended a funeral yesterday and you told Daddy that you had water in your eyes because you were tired. It seemed you were actually feeling sad because whoever was speaking had been crying, and didn't realize they were tears.

We absolutely love having you in our family. Being your mom is a delight. I have really cherished having you as my little sidekick this past year, especially on our Fun Fridays. Looking forward to a full summer savoring our time before kindergarten!

Love,

Mommy

Your "Special Day"

Dear Nora,

Since most of the kids in your class at school have summer birthdays, your teacher has assigned each child a "special day" to bring a treat and celebrate with your friends. Today was your "special day" and you were just delighted to wear a flowery pink dress, bring your chocolate donut holes with sprinkles and hand-stamped "N" napkins. You chose a Shimmer and Shine book for your teacher to read during snack. You have such a great preschool class and I'm so happy for how you're loving it this year!

We recently celebrated Luke's 8th birthday and you were such a sweet sister, happy for him to receive all the attention. You spent $1 of your own money on a darling Star Wars robe I found for him at the Goodwill. You picked out the bag for me to wrap it up and were thrilled to give it to him. You weren't jealous of his toys or complaining about not getting to play with his new things right away. At his flag football game that morning, your friend Liv was eating donut holes and playing on her ipad. You sat contentedly next to her working on your sticker book and didn't even ask me if you could have a donut hole or look at her ipad. I was so impressed!

Last week we had a playdate with your school friend, Leah. You told me that the two of you had talked at school about having a playdate at a park sometime, so I looked up her mom's phone number and we made a plan. She's the first friend you've made that way, when I didn't yet know her mom. It was so fun to watch you run all around the park and giggle with each other after our Chick-fil-A picnic. Her mom told me that Leah always says you're her best friend. :)

A few nights ago before putting you to bed, I pulled a couple old books off your shelf that I used to read when you were a baby or a toddler. It really took me down memory lane. You could read some of the words yourself now! I can't believe you will be in kindergarten in some short months. I'm not sure I'm ready for that transition. I love you so much, Nora, and intend to enjoy these preschool days while they last!

Love,

Mommy