"permotion"

According to Natalie she has "permoted" to Kindergarten. I think it is so cute how she is so insistent on using big words pronounced incorrectly...I think Ben would say she gets that from me. She is all of 4 and a half and I still say this is my FAVORITE age so far (aside form the newborn snugly nursing all day long age, but does that really count for an age?)

4 means a lunch date- not a lunch struggle,

4 means a friend to shop with - not a snack machine belted into the cart,

4 means a story hour - not a story minute with pages torn,

4 means a session of insightful questions - not figuring out which stuffed animal she is calling for,

4 means I get to hear, "I love you mommy" ALL the time!

4 means getting to soothe hurt feeling from friends,

4 means hanging out, not stuck "babysitting",

4 means a glimpse... that so far, you haven't done that bad as a parent,

4 means freedom from diapers, wipes, pacifiers, sippy cups, water wings, and other crutches,

4 means almost 5, and then I have send her out into the big world of elementary school - and I finally understand why parents are scared...I am too and I used to work there....

Permotion was last night, she doesn't look any different, she isn't acting any different, but I know it is coming. I know sleep overs, catty girlfriends, and maybe a swear word are coming before we know it. How does this happen? I know Ben and I aren't getting any older so how is it that Natalie is stuck in a whirlwind and growing up so fast???

A friend of mine several years ago when Natalie was only 2 shared a story about her oldest turning 5. She said they went to the mall to see a movie and have lunch, they went shopping and stopped in Bath and Body Works to let her choose some lotions and such...she said she cried in the store, watching her baby smell and inspect the different scents and colors - making her selection carefully. This 5 year old she spoke of seemed so old, MUCH older then my 2 year old toddler...well now it is my turn - and heading to a movie and lunch and some Big Girl lotion sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate my BIG GIRL'S day.

However, I have ALL summer to enjoy my 4 year old, ALL summer to build sand castles, ride bikes, eat ice cream and enjoy her still being 4...(please tell me I get to these things for years and years to come)

Here are some seriously BAD pictures of her permotion...bad camera!