5 Was Big

Last September, my biggest girl Charley turned 5 and just next week she will turn 6. Five was SO BIG for us, guys. I sat down earlier today and just started thinking of how much she's learned and changed this past year. I remember writing a monthly blog post at the end of Charley's baby years and saying there was no need to keep up the monthly updates because they just no longer change as quickly as they do when they are babies. Well. That may be true for most years, but I seriously think age 5 was just as exciting and had just as many changes as the baby years. Here are some highlights.

She gave up the habit of sucking on her Owlie blankies.

She learned to ride a bike with no training wheels.

While I don't encourage it, she has climbed up, gotten a cup out, gotten the milk or OJ out, and poured herself a drink with no messes.

She can order for herself in restaurants.

Charley has mastered the iPad and my phone as well. She knows the codes to unlock them. She knows how to turn the wifi back on if it's off.

Along the same lines, she can turn the TV and surround sound on, she can get to Netflix, choose her account and choose her show.

Or, she can go to the computer and click on the favorites link to PBS Kids and play those games using a mouse.

She can put together an outfit that isn't totally crazy and mismatched.

She often either drives herself (in her power wheels) or walks herself over to my parent's house.

My mom and dad even let her drive their golf cart - although they handle the pedals. She just does the steering.

She's lost 3 teeth! (All involving tears and drama!) (One just tonight!)

She has 2 permanent teeth in.

She graduated Pre-K.

She started Kindergarten. Today.

She loves math and can do a good bit of addition.

She recognizes some sight words.

She can swim....and swim well!

She rode Space Mountain...and liked it!

She enjoys a couple shows that aren't kids shows. We've watched the last two seasons of Survivor together, for example.

She can bathe or shower herself.

She can put a Lego set together herself.

She caught her first fish.

She found her first shark's tooth.

She can just about do a cartwheel.

She can melt me into a puddle with just a few sweet words. Although, that one didn't just start at age 5. ;)

All that to say...it was a big year for my Charley bear. And I imagine Kindergarten will bring so many more things. Reading. Writing words with cute kid misspellings. Buying her own lunch in the cafeteria. Going on field trips. And a million other things.

As sad as it can be to send my baby off to Kindergarten, I'm happy to focus on all the new fun things I can write about next year at this time. I always thought I was more of a baby mom, but these big kid stages are turning out to be so much more fun. For example, I was actually the one who taught Charley to ride a bike. I always thought that would be John's thing, but when it came down to it, it was a matter of patience and I have more of that than John. When she got it I was of course THRILLED for her, but also I was thrilled for myself! It's SUPER EXCITING when a baby learns to walk of course. But, they more or less learn to do that themselves. When your child learns to ride a bike it is directly related to the instruction you just gave them. YOU HAD A HUGE PART IN THAT, you know?? SO much more rewarding.

Anyway. Five was big. Charley is big.



I love her.

Getting Ready for School with KidsShoes.com

*Check out these Back-To-School must have shoes At KidsShoes.com! Boys and girls shoes that are fashionable, cute and just the right price! I received shoes to review, opinions are my own.

August is a big month for our family. Charley will start Kindergarten in just a few short weeks. And if that wasn't scary and sad enough, Laney will also begin Pre-K. I know they will both love it so I try not to be sad about it, but I feel like with Charley we are crossing the bridge from little kid to big kid in one fell swoop. Sigh.

BUT! There's some excitement that comes along with that too. I LOVE school supplies and getting new backpacks and just getting ready for school in general, so we were anxious to shop!

Laney is easy - she doesn't need a backpack or lunch box or school supplies or uniforms. She can wear her regular clothing so I'm not even too concerned with buying new clothes for her until the seasons begin to change. I'll buy her a cute outfit for her first day of school and will get her a new pair of shoes. That's where KidsShoes.com made our lives a little easier! From the options given, Laney chose a denim slide with embroidered tigers. I mean - what doesn't go with embroidered tigers, right?! So I allowed it.

She's pretty happy with her choice and I'm happy that they are versatile enough for running around the playground, digging in the sandbox and still comfortable enough for sitting criss cross applesauce at circle time. I hope to get a lot of use out of them this school year. 

Charley, however, is not quite as easy. Going into Kindergarten requires a lot more. She needs a new backpack and lunchbox, tons of school supplies, school uniforms and of course new shoes.

If you know Charley at all, you know that she has always had a very strong opinion on what she wears. She went one whole winter without ever wearing a coat once, and went a couple years wearing only skirts and dresses. I'm happy to report she's not quite as difficult with her clothing selections each morning any more, which is great because her elementary school is a uniform school. Polos and khakis from here on out. She's not thrilled about it. BUT! While reading the uniform policy we did catch a couple of opportunities for Charley to add a little flair to her every day uniform. First, "Belts, if worn, must be a solid color."  And also, "Athletic shoes, leather shoes, and boots are all acceptable". Which, again, is where KidsShoes.com comes in and helps us out!

Charley loves sparkle, so she chose a floral applique sneaker. Not my first choice, but I allowed her to choose whatever she wanted since she will have so little say-so over her outfits anymore. While the regular price of these shoes is more than I typically spend on kid's shoes, I am going to hope they last longer and prove their price tag.

Combine those fancy, sparkly shoes with this solid colored but fun belt, and her boring ol' school uniforms looks a whole lot more Charley.

Thanks KidsShoes.com for scratching one item off of our back to school checklist!