A Fun Twist on Apples

This week Bella was Student of the Week (where they get to tell a little something about themselves, bring in a snack to share, etc). Well, the request is always for a healthy snack, of course, but we decided to put our own spin on the term helthy. We created 20 gorgeous apple-cupcajes, complete with a stem and leaf. We did this over 3 nights, and the result was a very proud Bella and a happy teacher who loved the fun treat.

The very first, First Day of School.

A letter to my daughter on the eve of her first day of school.

Dear Isabella,  

Tomorrow marks the day that you will begin your journey of learning. Yes, you have learned many, many things in your blessed 5 years. Tomorrow, however, you begin a journey of formal education. The 13 years ahead of you will bring fun, excitement, challenges, and tears. May the tears always be of joy. May the challenges always find you on your strongest days and may you always find an answer to even the hardest tasks. May the fun never end, and lastly, may you find excitement in every day that lies ahead.

No matter where this journey takes you, I will encourage you to try your best and I will always be proud of your accomplishments. I have dreams for you. They involve creating, exploring, studying, succeeding, and above all, smiling. I will be happy as long as you are happy. I will push you to try classes and teachers that you may not like and I hope you will always try and give it your best.

The uniform is set out, complete with white cuff socks, Mary-Janes, and a ribbon for your hair. Tomorrow may be your first day of kindergarten, but to me, it is the day you begin to pave your own path.

May your first day be filled with fun, learning, and friendship. May the days and years ahead never lose the magic of the first day.

Love you forever,

Mom.

It's Tooth-Fairy Time

Well, it's official. I jinxed myself. Just 10 days ago I said to a friend that I was sooo not ready for the whole loose tooth phase. I know that most kids start loosing their baby teeth during Kindergarten, and Kindergarten is a mere 4 weeks away. Well, apparently, Bella decided she wants to enter Kindergarten with a little over-achiever status. She announced proudly tonight after flossing her teeth, that she has a loose tooth. I've heard this before. Pretty much every day since her friend Susie lost her first tooth in March. I went to see her "loose tooth" and low and behold, she has a loose tooth. A very loose tooth. I got very excited. Then I panicked a bit, which made Bella get a little teary-eyed herself. She said she was almost crying because she was so excited. She wanted to show our neighbor and her BFF Susie, so off we went. Then she wanted to call all her grandmas and garndpas and aunts and uncles. And she did. She announced to each person and tried to explin which tooth is loose. I assured all parties that we will not be pulling teeth. I am perfectly happy to let nature take its course here. So now i guess the big question is when and how much. How much does the tooth fairy deliver these days? I've heard it all from a silver dollar to a twenty. I'm definitely leaning more towards the silver dollar.