Graduation Time is Here!

Miranda proudly accepts her diploma in Le Top's Sweetheart Butterfly drop waist dress.

My daughter has passed another milestone… Kindergarten! The beginning of the 2009-2010 school year was a day to remember. I dropped off my baby in her classroom with other nervous little children who were sharing their first experience of school. Then the teacher shuffled out all the anxious parents and closed the door. It seemed like a long year full of homework, projects and field trips, but yet it also seemed like the first day of school was just yesterday. In a blink of an eye, I now have a first grader.

Has it really been a year since “Grajuration Day“?

This event was so much more different than graduating from preschool. First of all, these six-year olds are sassy and smart. They learned A LOT this year, not only in the classroom but also from their friends. There was so much attitude in the air, for many reasons:

1. It’s summertime, which means no more homework. They can stay up as late as they want and sleep in. (HA!)
2. Next year they are first graders which means they get to have two recesses, and they get to play on the big kids’ play structure.
3. There are cupcakes after the graduation.

As happy as this day was for the kids, it was bittersweet for the parents. I am happy that she did so well in school and has made a lot of friends, but I am sad that she’s growing up so fast. All I can do is take a mental photograph of this day and cherish it. Tomorrow is another day, and I’m sure summer will be a drag because she’ll be bored not seeing her friends every day and wonder why Mommy and Daddy are still working, and shouldn’t we all be on summer vacation.

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County Fair Fun!

Every summer my family and I look forward to the County Fair. We love the rides, the shows, the animal races, the fireworks, and most especially THE FOOD! Corn dogs, cotton candy, snow cones, chocolate covered bananas, deep-fried Twinkies, and our family’s favorite… FUNNEL CAKES! We visit the fair at least three days per season. One day is devoted to getting there early, pigging out on all the food, watching animal races, riding a few rides, walking around to see the displays, seeing a concert, and staying late for the fireworks. (The two other days are to eat more fair food because it will be another year before we can consume such greasy, fatty goodness.)

This year was my son’s first time at the fair. He is only 3-months old, but we weren’t going to let his age stop us from enjoying this family tradition. Big Sister wanted to show him around to see why the county fair is so much fun. She took him to see a circus act and bought him his first clown nose. Daddy showed him every kind of food he bought before eating it so that he can admire the crazy shapes and sizes, such as footlong corn dogs and tornado potatoes. And I took him to his first rock concert: Night Ranger! I don’t know how much fun my son had or if he even understood what was going on, but we’ll be making sure he knows how important county fairs mean to this family.

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Cousin Stories

I’m a teensy bit jealous looking at this photo of Miranda and her cousins. Why? Because I have to sit here in front of a computer and work all day, while she and her cousins get to play and go to the swimming pool! What? She’s only 4? Oh. Right. I had my turn when I was little! 😉 Really, this photo just makes me happy because it reminds me of happy kids, summertime freedom and fun times of childhood! And Miranda is one of my favorite kids, and she looks absolutely adorable in her le•top tankini!

Miranda sporting her new Butterfly tankini. She's ready to take a dip in the pool with her cousins, Christian (age 12) and Elliot (age 8). Click on image to see the Butterfly Wishes collection!

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Cousins Make Great Friends

Cousins born on the same day showing some love!

I just got this adorable photo, and it reminded me of how much I loved having my cousins around when I was little. I think it’s so special to grow up with them around. I have lots of memories of running around and playing all day during the summers. Cousins seem better than siblings because even though they are family, they’re not nearly as annoying! 😉 They are a nice balance between being a family member, as much as being just a good friend. How neat that these two were born on the same day!

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