Big Changes

Deep breath. There are some big changes happening around here.

Can it be time to enroll Kate in preschool already?!

I was hesitant but Kate was REALLY excited to go to the co-op orientation at her preschool.

She's been looking forward to going to school forever now. Every morning when she

sees Charlie off to school, she asks when it will be her turn. I always say "Soon, Kate, soon."

Soon is closer than I'd like it to be. We enrolled her today and she starts in September.

I think it will do her good, being with other kids her age for a couple of days per week

and teach her to follow rules and schedules. We aren't very good at schedules here.

I'm hoping that it will make her go to bed earlier too... that may be a long shot though.

She was shy-smilin' all over the place.

I didn't even care that I was the only parent in there taking a bazillion photos.

Her smile of excitement and nervousness was just too cute to resist.

I love the way she stood back and took it all in with her shy smile all while wringing her fingers together.

I love how she didn't hesitate to jump in and play, color, talk.

I love how she's going to be in the butterfly class so she

thought she had to dress like a butterfly every day at school.

I love how she gave me a look and a little wave to tell me she was ok and

that I could go to the meeting with all the other parents.

It helped that her friends Nevie and Nikki were in the class too.

Ballet is in full swing. Recital practices are every week and the girls are really learning their routines.

Kate has made a few good friends in Marley and Deslyn.

Secrets whispered in her ear by Marley and falling into fits of giggles afterward...

Be still my heart!

Speaking of big changes...

I don't talk about weight or anything like that very often. It's really embarrassing to me.

But I hit a big number the other day on my weight loss journey and I am so proud that I was able to do this, AGAIN.

55 pounds lost and counting...

Here's a before taken in December 2010.

(How sad is it that this is the last photo I have of myself?)

and this is today.

I'm not done by any means. I still have a long, LONG way to go but I'm
feeling proud of my accomplishments today and wanted to share it.
I'm definitely happier and more energetic. And that, in turn, makes me a better mom.
What better reason could there be to stay motivated?

PS: I'm not pinching Ella, I was tickling her belly and it just looks like I'm pinching her...

Happy Weekend everyone!