Dear Nathalie, Love Mom

Dear Nathalie, Tomorrow is picture day at school!  I'm so excited for this, I can't even describe it.  Kindergarten!!  I still can't believe it.  Back to School Night is Thursday and I really can't wait to hear what your teacher has to say about you.  Here are my predictions: "Nathalie is such a talkative kid." or "Nathalie really is a social butterfly." or "Nathalie thinks she knows everything, doesn't she!" I'll update you when I get home Thursday night. In other news, you added more pictures to your journal.  You've hidden it from me at the moment, so I can't take any pictures to post right now.  But you drew a robot, and.....I can't remember.  I'm super exhausted from the long week I just wrapped up.  Mommy is off work for the next two days and I plan to spend some quality time with you on at least ONE of them.  I miss you!  Since you're in school now we don't get to spend my weekdays off alon...

Dear Nathalie, When we went to Canada, we bought you a little notebook.  Today you wanted to start drawing in it.  These are your first three pictures.  The first one is you playing baseball.  You wanted to draw yourself in an Angels uniform, but when I told you they wore white, you told me white crayons don't work.  The second one is a picture of your favorite thing.  A big bowl of macaroni and cheese!  The last one is my favorite.  You described it as a picture of you "listening to a melody."  Keep it up, dear Nathalie.  You are an inspired artist. Love, Mom

Dear Nathalie, We You did it!!!  We You got through your first day of kindergarten!  I'm so proud of you.  Let's add some pictures: In front of the Kindergarten Area This was right before we went through the gate.....I promise, you were NOT the only kid that was having their picture taken.  All the mommies and daddies were taking pictures of their babies   big kids starting school for the first time.  With your nametag This is the spot where you line up before starting your day.  Kids have been lining up for school since the beginning of time, but you put your own little attitude into it didn't you.  Nathalie and Chapstick Just a reminder for you....at your daycare, Sunshine, the counselors there go by nicknames to keep the atmosphere fun, like summer camp.  This picture is of you and Chapstick.  She's the Head Kindergarten Counselor and she was your favorite during the summer program there.  But, you...

You and Mommy in Vancouver, B.C. Dear Nathalie, I haven't written you a letter in awhile...I know.  But we were soooooo worn out from our road trip up to Canada and back that I just haven't had the energy to sit down and write.  Well, let me rephrase that....YOU haven't given me TWO minutes to sit down and write. Since my vacation started, you have been stuck to me like glue.  Aren't you sick of me yet?  I completely understand....but I also just don't get it.  You are ALL over me ALL the time.  I know there will be a time when you want absolutely nothing to do with me and I'll look back and wish for these days when you couldn't get enough of me.  But for now....give mommy a break!!! I did realize today, though, that we will actually be spending less time together once school starts for you. Our routine had become quite comfortable for you.  I would have you stay home with me when I had a day off during the week instead of taking you to day...

Dear Nathalie, We just got back from our family trip for the summer.  We drove all the way up to Vancouver, B.C. and had many stops along the way.  After a massive 23 hours on the road yesterday, mommy is exhausted....I will send you a follow up letter tomorrow.  For now, I need to sleep.  Love, Mom

Dear Nathalie, This letter is two-fold. First: STOP GROWING!!! Look at you.  Who do you think you are???  This was this morning before leaving for daycare.  You picked out your own outfit and wanted to wear black shoes to match your "blue-ish/black-ish dress."  You started to go for argyle kneehighs....but thankfully changed your mind.  I can't believe how much you are changing literally EVERY DAY.  I'm not an overly emotional mommy, but I just know that my heart will break the day you start kindergarten.  Anyway, I guess I can't stop it from happening, so I'll be grateful for the fact that you are turning into a pretty cool kid.  Even though you have a bit of an attitude sometimes, you're turning out to be alright.  I'm incredibly impressed.  Secondly: We are certain you will open your own breakfast restaurant someday.  Every morning, some of the first words out of your mouth are:  My tummy is rumbly.  Can I ha...

Dear Nathalie, It seems we've entered a "bratty" stage.  Knock.  That.  Shit.  Off. Your counselor "Smiley" shared with me that you screamed at a little boy TWICE today.  And he did NOTHING wrong.  Not to mention your attitude-laden comment to me yesterday, "you know, mommy, you really should clean your car," and your refusal to be wrong about ANYTHING.  "Well, actually, it's chocolate milk." No.  Not my kid.  Tina Fey (she's a comedienne/actress that is popular right now) wrote a book called Bossypants .  In it, she includes a Mother's Prayer for her Daughter....I'm going to share it with you here, mostly because I need to be reminded of it myself today, but also so that you can have it to reference when YOU become a mom... First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches. May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that d...