Macaroni & Cheese and Princesses

Last night we were graced with a performance by our very own future Hollywood starlet. Zach was practicing his chords like a good little student when Bella decided she needed to practice as well. So out she strolls, guitar in hand, and proceeds to burst into an original piece entitled "Macaroni & Cheese and Princesses." I have no idea today how the song went. I can only tell you it was very unique, very long (it went on for at least 15 minutes), and it involved a lot of Macaroni & Cheese and Princesses. Oh, AND there was original choreography! Seriously, it was awesome. She had a chorus, a refrain, and I am pretty sure there were at least a couple of verses. I'm thinking I have a prodigy  on my hands.

A Sign of the Times?

I like to think that I am a cool mom. Not the WAAAAY "cool" kind that looks at her children like "little adults" trapped in midget bodies. Not that kind. But the kind of mom that has found a nice balance between letting her kids feel big and experience the world while keeping them close and not experience too much. The kind that doesn't shelter too much of the real world but enough to keep my kids from growing up too quickly. I think I'm failing. Below is the list of why.

The other day we are riding in the car and Bella busts out with, "OH HOT DAMN, THIS IS MY JAM! KEEP ME PARTYIN' TILL THE AM! YA'LL DON'T UNDERSTAND, MAKE ME THROW MY HANDS IN THE AI-ER, AI, AI-ER!" Perhaps you've heard that song. Catchy little tune. Not so much when its your THREE YEAR OLD singing!!!

Strike one.

Then a few days later, another song that she apparently loved was on the radio, and in the middle of singing along, she stops long enough to inform Daddy and I, "I want you to put this on my ipod." HUH?!?! You have an ipod?? Did I miss something?  So I ask her, "You have an ipod?" "No, but when you buy me an ipod I want you to put this song on it, ok?"  ummm. . . .

I know she knows about ipods. Her favorite thing to do with Aunt Mary is listen to hers. But how did she know you have to put music ON the ipod, and who told her she was getting one?!

Strike two.

Then the big one. Strike three.

We are driving back for a soccer game when she informs us that so-in-so is her boyfriend, he is in love with her (IN LOVE WITH HER!), they are going to get married and kiss. WHA, WHA, WHAT!?!? I'm sorry, did you say boyfriend, married, and kiss?Whatever happened to Daddy's her prince charming and she's going to marry him?  On the plus side, at least she said get married before they kiss (because we all know how that goes). Maybe I'm doing something right.

Since Last Time. . . . .

Lots has happened since my last blog, but mostly just every day life. Things have been so hectic that I haven't been able to sit down long enough to peck out a new entry. We've taken a  trip to the beach with Granny Karen, and spent an entire wonderful week laying next to water of one kind or another. We've partied at Pickwick with PapaGigi and the rest of the giant gang that comes. Bella was impossible to keep off the tube and out of the river. We've spent some time at Nana's cabin playing and visiting and trying to catch wild kittens. We took a trip to Ms. Melissa's and had so much fun visiting with her and the boys and SWIMMING!!!! 

We've joined ballet class where she is preparing for a role in "The Nutcracker." We have spent tons of time at the soccer fields with Brother, also known as social hour for Bella-she has made tons of friends and looks forward to seeing them to play tag and Barbies. 

One of the biggest things we've done is started preschool.  Of course its at home, but its preschool none the less. We do table work every morning, followed by outside playtime, then circle time. So far Bella has learned to spell and write her first and last name, her continents, the 4 oceans of the world, many of the states and their capitals (working on more every day), her days and months, and she is reading many small words  and 1 short book!!! We are so proud of what she has learned and can't wait to see whats to come. Hopefully, I will be able to keep up with the blog better than I have, so check back soon! I'll get pics up asap!