6 months later to the day!

Charli Reece today was your First Day of kindergarten and just like I did to Grandma when I was a little girl, you left me in a ball of tears! I dropped you off, you took a few pictures for me, you gave me a hug, and you said " Bye Mommy." That was all she wrote, by the time I turned back to hug you again you were already busy coloring and making friends. Oh Charli I LOVE YOU! I cannot wait to hear all about your day, I wish I could pick you up right now-- 3:30 can't get here soon enough! I hope you enjoyed the lunch we packed, laughed, met a lifelong friend, washed your hands ....all these thoughts I have in my head--- come on clock move faster!

Now Rewind to the past 6 months that flew by. Oh the places we have gone, people we have seen, and the things we have done! You finished up your time at St.Thomas and are a Preschool Graduate. You even wore a graduation cap at your ceremony, that was such a special day! You wore a beautiful blue dress with a fur shawl and had you hair braided; you looked so beautiful. Grandma, Daddy, and I were all there to watch your teacher recap the amazing year, sing songs you worked hard to learn, and receive your diploma.  Grandma took you on a special date after to celebrate and we went out to dinner that night!

You have continued with weekly advanced gymnastics and of course those days consist of your dates with Grandma. The next session will start up again next week. You gymnastics skills have me awe-inspired. You can do a one handed cartwheel at ease and are perfecting your back walk over! Just Amazing honey, so proud of you. With you loving gymnastics and the natural tie in we decided to give cheer camp a try.  You enjoyed your time and did an awesome performance at the end of the week in front of the whole camp. That reminds me, you had a gymnastics show with the entire park district and you rocked that too!  Wow you are performing everywhere superstar, Champion Charli. Currently you are taking some cheer classes and even got a pair of cheer shoes. You have taught us all the cheers and Danica loves to do them with you, what a great teacher you are.

Over the summer you took crafting classes, cooking classes, gymnastics, swim lessons, science classes, story time and drawing, you did soooo many things. We spent a lot of time at the pool and you are now a member of the jumping off the diving board club at both Birchwood pool and Grandma's house, including Grandma's water slide. Your swimming strokes are just awesome, I can't believe how smooth your backstroke is...ok I can believe it because you are amazing but really honey it is great!

We went boating out at Auntie Ter's and Uncle Neil's lake house and you even went fishing off the dock and helped catch a fish. That was such a fun day meeting all your cousins and hanging out with family. You got to meet so many new family members and spend time with Aunts and Uncles and cousins from out of town. That was really special. I think it was one of the greatest summers EVER!

You are mastering the art of riding your bike and I think it is time to take the training wheels off....stay tuned. In the mean time you are a ziggle machine!

With your love of art and crafting you are so blessed to have the masters of both in our family with Grandma and Auntie Ter. Grandma is such an advocate for you, like when you colored the bathtub or carved your name in your wood door, she said, "Oh she's just an artist that's what we do!" And with Auntie Terry you have had your own 1 on 1 crafting dates and even helped her get crafts ready for her classroom. What a great helper you are! She sent you home with so many other crafts, even at restaurants she has crafts for you to do, every day there has been so much crafting going on. Every project you make is so special that we made you a bin this summer to keep all of them safe, I think we are going to need another bin soon!

You have so many talents it is captivating to watch all you can do because you really are the sweetest and most innocent girl. You eyes are so full of wonder and you just want to explore and learn more and more. We redecorated your room and you picked the paint color- it is the most beautiful pink and the most perfect color I think you could have picked, whispy pink. Your eye for design is crazy, I ask for your advice with everything. The eye, girl you have it!

You own look is like a drawing of a doll you are so beautiful with such soft features. Your beautiful blue eyes are protected by the most golden long eye lashes. You have such sweet pouty lips and a smile that could light up the sky. You are built like a gymnast so strong yet so petite and just lovely. You truly are lovely.

In a questionnaire for kindergarten we were asked 5 works to describe you, I put 6: energetic, kind, creative, artistic, explorative ( I don't even think that is a word), athletic... I should have put a million words: bubbily, intelligent, silly, loveable, sweet..... Charli you mean everything to me and I think you are AMAZING!

If I could spend every minute of the day with you and Danica I would. Last night was the one of the first times you went to your bed by yourself like a big girl and slept there because you knew school was starting and you were so excited. Pink teddy and blanket in tow, clothes picked out, you entered dream land with such great anticipation and some jitters for the first day of a whole new chapter in your life. I went in your bed when the thunderstorm hit and then back to my room...and at 5 am when there was some noise on your window pane I had no problem cuddling you back in to my bed where you really belong....ok I know you  belong in your big girl bed. I missed being kicked and punched in the face all night in my king size bed. HAHA

We had an amazing summer and though it was like pulling teeth at times I appreciated you help with laundry and with cleaning your room. You started to earn money for your piggy bank doing different chores and that was so awesome for you. I also appreciate you helping with your sister and with Reilly. Being a big sister is such an amazing role and one that is a lot of responsibility and I appreciate you rising to the occasion. My lil pookie paka mookie mana, pan. There are not enough nicknames in the world, I create a new one everyday!

Thank you for brushing your teeth and being such a good girl in the shower. Thank you for dressing yourself so nice every day. Thank you for eating cereal and bring picky about everything else, especially bread! When it comes to cook in front of you thought, you clear your entire mean when it comes to the kids steak and I mean everything from the soup to the last lick of chocolate or sherbet ice cream! You are such a neat kid, ponnie. Thank you for being you!

I am excited about this school year for you and all the activities you are going to be involved in: gymnastics, soccer, slime class, crafting class, science classes, dance classes, daddy daughter class, cheer, wow Charli you are in so much stuff. I hope you enjoy every minute of it. You deserve all of life's best!!!!

Recap of first day of school: I picked you up and you were eating a snack and had the biggest smile on your face. You told me you had a great day, you even asked if we could go take a picture with your teacher!!! It was music to my ears. They gave you bubbles at CARE so we went outside and took a picture in the tree, and you blew all the bubbles. It was awesome. Then we went out to cook in front of you, your request, and celebrated with Auntie Terry, Auntie Tammy, Uncle Neil, Uncle Mike, and Laura.... and of course Danica and Daddy. It was a perfect day for a perfect little girl! Bring on Kindergarten. So excited for what happens next!!!!

Love you soooooo much!!!!!

ALMOST 5 .. ALMOST KIndergarten

Charli Reece! Oh my gosh can you believe it? I cannot. My baby girl is a big girl. You are such an amazing person. You are smart, kind, silly, artistic, mischievous, explorative, animated, fashionable, and most of all loving. You are a terrific big sister and such a role model to Danica, She loves to do everything you do and watching how well the two of you get along is the greatest of gifts for your Dad and I. You are an experienced gymnast and enjoy your Tuesday dates with Grandma. You have had your ups and downs with school but mostly because you are so busy you need more to do. You thrive in all situations and have an amazing imagination. Your fine motor skills continue to be off the charts and I am so impressed with your logic and problem solving skills. Oh and did I forget to mention you are dramatic, you could win Academy awards daily!

Daddy and I were away from you over night twice this past year for a wedding and the Superbowl. Grandma, Auntie Ter, and Uncle Neil took care of you and Danica. The morning you woke up and we weren't there you took a framed picture of me rom high school and put in on the kitchen table while you were eating breakfast and told Grandma, " I am eating with Mommy." Then you face timed me and it about broke my heart, I had to promise you that I won't ever go away over night again!!!! But the fun you had dragging tiolet paper all over the house, making projects, dressing up like lady Gaga. I mean you guys laughed the entire time lucky girl, blessed family. Oh and the mess you made. I think I am going to give up on your room being cleaned every day. And as much of a helper you want to be at times you hate laundry---don't we all.

Your big interests are making forts, sliding down the stairs, jumping off of things, changing your clothes a hundred times a day, rainbow showers, brushing your teeth, gymnastics, coloring, projects, dolls, and making a mess. Not to mention play doh in any form including the I pad. You are bust busy busy.

Florida at Christmas was no different this year than others, perfect. You are a great little swimmer and made it from one side of the pool to the other, you did it! You loved the ocean and had no fear this time and would go in and out and let the waves crash at your feet! You went shelling with Grandma and Grandma even spent new years with you and Danice in your pretty dresses! For Christmas you got everything you wanted from Santa because you made such an awesome list and we sent it out in the mail and Elf gave you a good review after a couple naughty list struggles... Oh my gosh and Santa even called you, luckiest girl! We made an awesome snowman and played in the magical snow...and even suffered heart break. When River passed you asked, " when you die do you just disappear and go to the sky?" Dad told you there is a stairway and when you get there you aren't sick anymore. You asked if he could come back when he isn't sick anymore and we explained that he has to stay in the sky but he is with your Grandpa's and Gramsy... You let us know you were going to make him pictures to take to the sky and leave them on the bottom stair. That is who you are, caring, compassionate, loving, and able to use art to express love. You teach me something new everyday. Thank you- love you the most!

Thank you for the joy of music and dance you bring to the house and share with your sister. We have such a happy house because of you. Charli you make the world go round- I love you!

Mommy Blurp

C&D,

I turned 38 years old and it was quite possibly the most amazing day I have ever had. I just want you to know that I woke up with Charli on my left and Danica on my right in my bed in our new house. Charli had a fever in the night and when I woke her around 2am to give her some medicine, I said "honey I have to give you medicine and guess what it is my birthday" , and Charli responded "Right Now? Happy Birthday Mommy." She told me that she couldn't wait for it to be my birthday she would make sure the first thing she told was happy birthday when she woke up so I made sure she could do just that. It was truly  music to my ears and I could feel my heart melt. That morning having you both in my arms was the greatest gift anyone could ask for. Then you all sang Happy birthday and gave me hugs and kisses and Danica even sent a video from Kathy's singing me Happy Birthday. It was the best! Then your Daddy took me to Wrigley to root root root the Cubbies in the WORLD SERIES! Really it doesn't get any better. I am so blessed I am beyond words. I love you both more than you will ever know. Thank you....just thank you so much for making my life unbelievable. Love, Mom Mom

Pre-school 4 for my 4 year old baby girl!

Charli you are such a big girl!!!!! You are quite the fashionista and quite sophisticated for your years. The intelligence you have blows my mind every day. I am dreaming so big for all you are and will be. Each  day with you is a journey, an experience, something to look forward to before, during,  and after. You light up a room with your smile and magnetic personality and piercing blue eyes. You have such a sense of curiosity and desire for independence it makes every moment busier than the next and full of adventure. You explored the art of hair styling by cutting your hair and quite a mullet style prevailed. You told me you will never cut your hair again and also  you "will never cut Danica's hair because you are not a professional." I conquer baby girl, I conquer. You had an amazing summer and made it so much more exciting for us each day because when you woke up you would ask with big eyes, "what are we doing today, where are we going?" Gosh those words are music to my ears! We went to the play pool as often as we could, we went to so many parties, we saw cousins and  Great Auntie Soph and Great Uncle Rich from California, we hung out with Auntie Ter and Uncle Neil, Courtney, and Laura. We went to Long Grove and festing, we went to music concerts, the zoo. We watched the turtle races, we went to Grandma's pool. We even booked our trip to Florida because honey you remind me everyday of how much you love Florida and want to go back. We saw Robyn and all the family and we just lived everyday to the fullest! We even saw Finding Dory in  the movie theatre that was so cool! You are just my best little girl. You had a great time at camp and did so many awesome projects. You also had gymnastics and got the golden ticket to move in the advanced class and let's not forget your recital. Aiawakea-- I don't know if we will ever get that song out of our heads. I have enjoyed watching your artistic talents whether it comes from the pictures you draw, what you color and create, what it is you see through your eyes and share, or your amazing taste in  clothes and make-up. You definitely are a fancy nancy. I think your ability to converse and find an interest in  people is really neat. I like how you have a presence about yourself. I love how you dance and the faces you make. You truly are an entertainer, an actress, a one girl show. Watching you watch Micheal Jackson for the  first time was mesmerizing and watching you imitate him is astonishing... Really Charli the "IT FACTOR" you have it!