First Piano Recital

India played "Hand Bells" and did a super job!  The sound isn't super on this yellow baby grand, but I LOVE the color.

Firsts

One thing India is surprisingly not dramatic about is tooth extraction.  She's lost her bottom two teeth, and both times Ammon used his "claw" (India's word) to pull it out.  There was no yelling, no screaming, no squirming, just "woohoo! Daddy pulled my tooth out!"  

Below is India on her first day of kindergarten.  Ammon and I got to go with her and do a treasure hunt of all the things and places she needed to become familiar with. There was definitely an adjustment for me and India.  It's been hard to let go. I really did feel like a little piece of me died.  (She may have gotten her dramatic tendencies from me.  Maybe.)  

Every day I ask India the same question:  How was school today?
Day 1:  It was awesome!
Day 2:  It was great!
Day 3:  It was good.
Day 4 (in tears the morning of):  Why do we have to go to school every day?  Why is it so long?  I just want to stay home with you and Maya.

But we've survived thus far. She's only been tardy once - go me.  She loves school.  She's started writing words from all around the house.  My life  revolves around homework and playdates (by choice.  I do want to be the cool mom and have India's friends always wanting to come here to play).  At recess she is the instigator of chasing and catching boys to make them princes because they're cute.  Every morning is a struggle to wake up Sleeping Beauty followed by a fight about what she is wearing to school (I fully support uniforms) and tears as I brush her hair way too hard, but you know what?  I still miss her.

New Tradition

In honor of tricking and treating this month, India and I started a new neighborhood tradition called Mummy Tagging.  India told me she wants to do it every night.  Ammon didn't think we (mostly I) could do it without getting caught.  Tsk, tsk silly.  I  give Ammon credit.  He thought of the idea a long time ago.  

Ouch

 While India was out drawing with chalk, she was stung by a bee.  

Her arm still looks skinny, so I'm guessing she's not allergic.

After Ammon put on magic spray, India went back outside and drew a picture of the bee, a flower, and a girl.  She does not like being mistaken for a flower.

Preschool

First day back in September.

Why does she look so old?

She's only four.

One month later.

Every Thursday we walk India across the street to preschool.

And Maya screams every week when "Baby" (her name for India) leaves her.

But then we have Mommy and Maya time for two and half hours.

Or Maya plays with all of India's toys without India yelling at her.

It's awesome.

More Firsts

I'm so sad our pictures always turn out so dark. Someday, maybe an upgrade. Anyway, Maya sat up BY HERSELF for the first time (yesterday). We can hardly keep her down. Like when she's supposed to be napping.

Also, Maya has started sticking out her tongue when she is the most happy such as when Ammon and I come home from work, or when she gets to take a bath, or everytime she sees India.

And, of course, whatever Maya does, India proves she still CAN do. Believe me, she is NOT deprived of attention.

Cute Maya and adorable baby Olivia - our neigbor who is 6 weeks younger than Maya. I couldn't get both girls to look at me at the same time. So I had to post one of each.

Oh yes. I forgot to mention that Maya got her first of many to come dorky bangs haircut by me! It's a rite of passage in motherhood. I'm glad she doesn't know and isn't going to lock herself in her room for the rest of the day.

De-Mulleting the Baby

Beautiful & Spunky: Aunt Livia-O

Before: (shudder)

After: It actually looks a ton better.  Thanks to Hannah for your honesty and to Livia-O for Maya's first haircut!