First Day of Kindergarten!

Hard to know which is more surprising--that Rachel's first day of kindergarten is already upon us, or that I'm actually blogging about it!

As for the day itself, Rachel had a great one. Daddy stayed home from work and we had breakfast together. We dropped Rachel off at the kindergarten playground, and when the bell rang she was the first one lined up to go into her class. I shed no tears (c'mon--it's only 3 hours a day and my head is swimming with all the things I can do!), but I'm sure I would have if Rachel did. However, she clearly couldn't get away from us fast enough. As for her teacher, I think she'll be OK. Given that she's outnumbered 30 to 1 (yes, THIRTY to ONE--isn't that illegal??) she's got her work cut out for her. I've already volunteered once in class, and I have a weekly time slot now. The teacher seems to keep order pretty well, and the kids are anxious to please (LOVE this age!). At any rate, Rachel is liking kindergarten, even if it appears she won't be learning anything she doesn't already know (at least classwork-wise). It's a bone of contention, but we're too far down the waiting list for charter schools and there's no way we're paying for a private school at the kindergarten level, so it is what it is. OK--see you in a year when I blog about her first day of first grade :>)

Star Valley, WY 1/2 marathon

Looking forward to this race in July--come one come all! Even Emily is doing it. Should be a lot of fun, and it's in honor of a runner who lost his life in a relay race over a year ago. Hope to see you there!

Has it been that long???

Five months really goes by fast, huh? So, if Alysia can manage a post, I suppose I can too. This will be quick--just some cute pix of Rachel on her first day (second year) of preschool. Yes, this is before the too short haircut that I promise won't happen again. She's now going to an actual school building twice a week, as opposed to someone's house, and she seems to like it a lot. They have show and tell on Tuesdays, which is always a big hit, and on her second day, Rachel was selected to be the teacher's "special helper," which includes such exciting things as getting to open the door when class is over!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, enjoy the pix--she's growing up so fast (cliche but true) :<(

Making up for lost time

Given the recent postings of amazing kiddie birthday parties and incredible cakes, I thought I would submit, for your viewing pleasure, my first attempt at a cute b-day cake for Rachel. Keep in mind she's equally as loved as the Gracies and the Gavins of the world, even if her mommy is not nearly as adept at this stuff. In my defense (and knowing I'd need an excuse) I let Rachel and her friend Trinity do most of the decorating of this, her slumber party cake. No doubt Linda is running scared right about now....

In other Rachel news, I can't write down fast enough the funny things my daughter says and does, but here's a few I captured:

Me: "It's your birthday--you're four years old!" Rachel: "Yeah, and that's not old. That's not close to 100. Daddy's getting close to 100."

Rachel when helping me cook: "Ooh, this is going to be spectacular, yum! Spectacular, spectacular, spectacular!"

Me: "Why'd you come in our room in the middle of the night? You're not supposed to do that." Rachel: "Because I needed some lovin' "

Rachel talking to herself on the computer: "I did it! Way to go me!"

Rachel: "When I was a baby, if I would cry you would feed me with your boobs. Mom, I don't have boobs yet, right? But I have little boobs."

Rachel noticing an overcast day: "Mom, the sun's still asleep."

While watching Dancing with the Stars, we were discussing our mutual dislike of Kate Gosslin. Carl: "She's just evil." Rachel: "C'mon guys, let go of that bad stuff."

I gave Rachel 3 seconds to come to me when she was disobeying. Rachel (angrily): "Mom, I wish you were the little kid and I was the grownup!"

And, lest a post go by where I don't brag about my daughter's brilliance, Rachel was playing around on her magnetic blackboard, and then I heard her trying to sound something out. She then told me to "Look, I spelled STOP." Sure enough, she did!

Does my hair look OK?

Rachel Johnson DANCING WITH THE STARS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtMceAz7dIY

Hope this works!

The rest of the pix