not to us

Dear Ruby,

It's been exactly one month since you turned five years old. And I can honestly say that you are a completely different girl. From very simple silly things like being able to color almost perfectly inside the lines or getting better and better at writing and spelling to making such mature, selfless, and helpful decisions that you make your momma cry tears of happiness instead of frustration.

Last month, I was at a loss. We were at odds, and I didn't know what to do. But we worked it out, kiddo. You and me.

Sometimes with tears. Sometimes with frustration. But most of the time with calm words and lots of love.

And you know what? I'm pretty proud of us for that.

We're not perfect yet or anything, but our days are filled laughter and smiles much more than conflict.

Yesterday, I was cleaning up the house, and I asked if you'd help when you were finished coloring. You colored for about five more seconds and then you said, "Momma, I really want to color more, but I think it would be more loving if I stopped now and helped you clean up. I can always color later."

No joke, kiddo. You said those exact words. And you proceeded to put action to your words. You picked up all the books and toys. You folded the blankets that were sitting out. Even after I thanked you for helping and excused you from helping, you persisted. You just kept inventing things to do to "help" me. I'd never seen the drawings and magnets on our fridge so straight and organized. ;)

You've been memorizing James with me. You're especially stuck on the verses that talk about favoritism. We've been discussing the importance of treating everyone with love and mercy, no matter what. We've been trying to practice by treating each other with love and kindness, even when we're frustrated or upset.

You've had a growth spurt over the past month, too. It's a good thing the weather will be warming up soon, because your leggings are turning into capris. ;) You're not allowed to be on your knees on your top bunk anymore, either, because (even sitting on your heels) you're center of balance is well above the guard rail. Your bottom is the safest choice.

I'm just completely in awe of you, Roo. I love watching you grow and change and learn. You're incredible, kiddo. I'm so excited to keep growing with you, my sweet daughter.

I love you more than you love princesses, fairies, ballerinas, and mermaids all put together! That's a whole stinkin' lot, Roobadoo! ;)

I'll see you in the morning, okay? I think I'll take you on a girls' date to see Annie, too. How does that sound?

Good? Good. It's a date.

Is there anything you can do that would make me stop loving you? :) Nope. Not a single thing. Don't ever forget that, okay?

Always,
~Momma

This week started out rough, but it has gotten better and better with each passing day!  :)  My ear is back to normal, and the kids and I have had a ton of fun over the past two afternoons.

A friend of mine was talking about the West Lafayette Municipal Pool on Facebook on Wednesday morning.  We joined her at the pool that afternoon, and wow!  I'm a *huge* fan of that pool.  They've got three separate pools: an olympic sized lap pool with a diving well, a traditional baby pool with a little fountain, and a toddlers pool that's 2-3.5 feet deep.

Ruby calls the toddlers pool the "just right pool."  I think that's absolutely adorable. She's gotten to be a really good swimmer, and I think we'll definitely do swimming lessons next summer.

Burke has taken to the Just Right Pool like a fish!  While he's normally hesitant to play in water, Burke seems much more comfortable in this pool.  I think its smaller size decreases his anxiety.

Today, we're heading down to Indianapolis for some playtime with Caleb and Aunt Megan's bachelorette party.  Then, we'll be celebrating Independence Day by serving lunch to our friends at Trinity on Sunday.  I'm sure we'll catch Transformers: Dark of the Moon and a few fireworks at some point this weekend, as well.

We hope you have a great weekend, everyone!

Mike, Ruby, and Burke got me a Barnes&Noble giftcard for Mother's Day.  They certainly know the way into this woman's heart!!  :)  Of course, like many mothers I know, the minute I went to use my gift card, I found myself desiring to spend the money on my family instead.  (I don't know if I've ever used that many commas in a sentence before.  Ever.  Is that sentence even grammatically correct?  Kirsten?  Anyone?)

Anyway...

Ruby has been asking me to teach her to read for quite some time.  I've known for several years that I wanted to use the BOB Books to teach her the basics of reading.  They are quite pricey, so I've wanted to wait until I was sure she would use them.

Tonight, as I walked passed them on the shelf, I figured I'd give her a test run and see if she was ready.

With a little bit of teaching from me, she read the entire first book, "Mat."  

Now, I'll admit that "Mat" only contains four words: Mat, sat, Sam, and on.  Those words are arranged, rearranged, and repeated to make a 23-word story about two friends who sit on each other.  No, I'm not kidding.  ;)

Nonetheless, it's a book.  And Ruby read it.  I won't lie: I teared up as she sounded out these words and read them.

When she finished reading the book, she looked up at me with golf-ball sized eyes:

"MOM! I. just. read. a. whole. book."

"I know, honey!  That's great!"

"MOM! I'm the first four-year-old girl EVER to read a whole book!"

I chuckled and informed her that her mother actually began reading at the age of four, as well.  Apparently being (at least) the second four-year-old girl to ever read a whole book didn't dampen her excitement.  She insisted on calling her grandparents to tell them the news.

And that's the beauty of BOB Books.  They are embarrassingly short and easy to read...but they encourage the new reader by instantly giving them a HUGE accomplishment: reading an entire book all by themselves!  :)

Anyway, when we got home, Ruby was happy to read "Mat" for the camera.  She still struggles a bit with "Sam", since it's not the same "a" sound as "Mat."  She's figuring it out, though.

I'm telling you what: Seeing my daughter read her first book was the best Mother's Day gift I could have ever gotten...totally worth using my gift card on her.  :)

(As a disclaimer, BOB Books has no idea that I've written this post.  They are not compensating me in any way, shape, or form.  This is purely a Mom relentlessly bragging about her daughter's most recent accomplishment.)

I spent four years and a lot of my parent's money getting a bachelor's degree in Child Development and Family Services.  I spent several semesters and not a small bit of my sanity working in Purdue's Child Development Labs and preschool classes.  I spent two years nannying the sweetest little girl in the world.

I've spent the past three years being a wife and mommy.  

I never imagined going back into the classroom.

So, it's a little surreal for me to be making this announcement.

I have officially accepted a position as a K-3 preschool teacher at Faith Christian School.  :)

On Thursday, when I picked Ruby up, the director of the preschool called me into her office and offered me the position.  I was immediately excited and ready to accept the position, but I needed to work out a childcare arrangement for Burke.  

I thought it would be impossible to find:

1. Someone I trusted.

2. Who was available with almost no notice.

3. In my price range.  

Incredibly, I was wrong.  (Thank you, God!  A direct answer to prayer.)

On Tuesday morning, I'll begin a two-week training and observing period.  Then, they'll set me free in a classroom full of three-year-olds.

I'm still not sure what to think.  I'm excited.  And nervous.  And thankful.  And intimidated.  And thrilled.  And challenged.  And...you know...all of that.  :)

It's been a long time since I've been in a classroom.  I'm hoping it's just like riding a bike.  :)

Prayers appreciated.  Have a great rest of your weekend!