I should at least get to vote on this

This is a pretty big week in our house.

One kidlet is spending her last couple of days EVAH as a kindergartner and the other is is about to leave elementary school for good.

The house is starting to buzz as the girls realise that summer and the great expanse of nothing filled days lie ahead.

Lily also has the added excitement of turning eleven  (hah and you thought I couldn't bring myself to say it) on Thursday. She is having a sleepover on Saturday with some friends from swimming. Guess what they want to do? Yes, you are correct, they want to go to the pool. After that it's anyones guess, there has been chatter about dyeing their hair with cool aid, eating vast amounts of Chinese food, making bracelets, if I get a loom for my birthday, mummy, and a variety of other things. If the weather is crummy, which it could well be we are all going to the movies. She is so very excited.

All in all there are some massive milestones and somehow I didn't get to vote on any of them. How can I have an almost eleven year old? How can I have a child old enough to leave kindy for good? And what is up with Lily heading off to middle school? Tonight at swimming the mums of the 2 friends who will be sleeping over sat and talked and frankly we are all in shock. Sometimes I think it would be easier to be a dad, they seem to be oblivious.

Where the heck is my chocolate? I need a double helping right now.

Wrapping it up in pictures

                                      January 2012

One cold January night after their baths. This photo just cracks me up

February 2012

Rosie turned 5

Anniversary of Rosies Gotcha day. Trying on the clothes she was wearing when we received her from the orphanage.

March 2012

Visiting England

April 2012

Lily reaches a new level in swimming

She improved so much and placed in a competition for the first time.

May 2012

a trip to Naples

June 2012

Lily turned 10 and swam with the dolphins for her birthday present.

Rosie Graduated pre- K

                                                         July 2012

Beating the heat at the beach

August 2012

Nasty case of poison ivy from a trip to North Carolina in the Mountains.

back to school. kindergarten and 5th grade

September 2012

Autumn Moon festival with FCC family

October 2012

Pumpkin Patch

November 2012

Mad Uncle Andy and Crazy Auntie Sally

December 2012

New York City

My 2nd little fish started competing in swim meets. She placed in all 3 of her races.

It has been another amazing year and my girls have survived it which considering I have been at the helm is always surprising.. So here's to more crazy, happy, fun stuff in 2013.

Childhood milestones

For me, the Mummy, the milestones in my girls lives are a double edged sword. On the one hand I am always incredibly proud of whatever it is they have just achieved but at the same time a little part of my heart cries out, stop, stop getting so big and independent.

I recently bought Rose some new sneakers and all they had in her size were ones with laces. Hello, foolish shoe designers, not to many 4 year olds can tie their own shoes. She wore them to school yesterday and her teacher commented about how many times she had to tie Rosie's shoes. I felt really guilty about this and decided if she wanted to wear them again for school she would have to learn to tie them herself.

Lily made that happen this morning. As they were putting on their shoes to head out the door Lily gave her a quick demonstration on how to do it. Next thing I hear is Rosie yelling, "Mummy, Mummy, Mummy I tied my own shoes". And she had, very well, without my help. and she did it again and again. It wasn't a fluke. Then I heard, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, I tied my shoes". Her teacher was thrilled with her and Rosie was walking on air, with her laces tied tight of course.

You see it is things like this that make me realise just how big they are getting. Everyday one or both of them comments on how big they are now and I just mumble something under my breath as they reach on their tippy toes to touch something they couldn't reach just mere moments ago.

I think certain milestones we don't mind saying sayonara to, diapers would be one. Really who likes 'em. Bibs was another for me, boy was I glad to be done with them. I find them yucky but totally necessary.

It all happens so fast, every stage comes and goes with record speed and before you know you baby is in school. Getting rid of the crib was a biggy for me. Since I am 90% certain at his point that Rosie is the last one I am giving things away and that makes all these things even more final. I remember the day that Lily told me she no longer needed to stand on a little stool to brush her teeth or wash her hands I felt so sad.

Rosie, I am so proud of you for tieing your shoes all by yourself but could you please just slow down a bit. I want to freeze you at this age, just for a bit longer.