Pink Asparagus

All I want is a picture of my family with everyone facing the same direction and appearing normal. Is that too much to ask?

Like Elliot, Audrey also took pictures (although not as many) during our road trip. Here’s what mattered to her.

Audrey graduated from preschool yesterday. It was terribly exciting. So exciting in fact that she woke up Wednesday morning hoping it was dinner time so she could go back to bed and wake up to have it be graduation day.

We had a teeny celebration at breakfast for her. She loved her card, in which Elliot wrote, “Good job Audrey! Love your Elliot”. Her face beamed when I read that to her. It’s all fine and dandy when mom and dad are gushy and lovey but when Elliot is lovey? Break out the ticker tape parade, it’s the BEST DAY EVER.

I think I’m in shock. I know she’s heading off to Kindergarten this Fall. I’m thrilled about that (not as thrilled as she is though). She’s independent and doesn’t need constant supervision, yay! But that also means there are no babies in this house. Actually, we’ve been baby free for some time. There are no little kids in this house; no walking babies. In this house people say their words properly, eat with utensils, go to the bathroom all on their own. In this house kids choose their own clothes, do their own hair, choose what to have for breakfast and occasionally make it themselves.

They’re growing up. And I’m not sure I’m entirely on board with that plan.

These milestones that are supposedly about our children seem to be put in place to remind us to let go.

I know there’s one around here … maybe around the next corner

Thanks to Picasa’s face recognition I’ve been taking trips down memory lane.

Here’s what I was looking at three years ago.

I think this picture captures the true color of Elliot’s eyes accurately. I’ve lost count of the number of doctors/teachers/grandmothers that have warned me that those eyes with those eyelashes are going to cause problems later in life.

Something pretty and shiny to distract you from the lack of posting. I’m pretty sure this is a new record for me.

*that’s my mom’s title of the performance, not that she’s biased or anything

When my kids were small I took their picture with the same bear on their monthly birthdays. After their first birthday it became an annual event. Aren’t they going to love that on their 16th, 21st and 30th birthdays?

Here is Audrey at 4-years old with the trusty nameless bear and her two green kitties. You can see her at 3-years, 2-years, 1-year and 1-month here.

A little something to tide you over while I get my house back in order, both literally and figuratively. Speaking of being tide-over: Audrey has lots of idiomatic phrases she uses correctly (for example, “I’m pulling your leg.”) and just as many where she misses the mark. When asking for a snack it’s not uncommon for her to ask for a little something to “tied me up” until lunch. I don’t correct her.

This is Audrey is her Halloween costume: a Goodwill bargain at just $6!