"LIAR DRILL"

Last night you taught me yet another lesson. I was certain you had not been honest and didn't believe your best tears. You were asked to walk laps yesterday and didn't tell me. The whole class had to walk some, but you more. Then your friend's mom told me he said your name was on the board, and I believed him vs. you... it was not pretty.

I scolded you, i asked you to tell me the truth, you couldn't because it wasnt true. you cried and screamed and I told you I would not tolerate liars.  The WHOLE BIG mommy guilt trip. And I emailed your teacher and guess what... you did get in trouble but your name was not on the board.... so sweetly, humbly and very kindly you crawled into my bed when I told you mommy was wrong and so so sorry for not believing you and you said the funniest thing... it was like a fire drill mommy... it was a Liar Drill... now I know what you will do if I lie and i am NEVER gonna do that.

I wish it were true, I wish you knew how much it broke my heart to try to see you that way and teach you to be better. I know that day will come, but I do pray you are bigger than that and you heart is more pure and that somehow we can skip this part of growing up.

I love you- and sorry for the "liar drill"

love,
Mommy

First Grade Smiles

FIRST GRADE - Like a Boss

You are so excited to go to first grade- but you are nervous. But don't we all get nervous?
I am SOOOO excited for you and we have had a great summer- a few things that were difficult but you took it all in stride.

I traveled a lot, you were a trooper. AND you got to have the dream team around all summer - the Neal Girls

Thankful as always we manage to be surrounded by great people that you manage to wrap around your finger effortlessly. .... No really it is a gift!

Here is a quick slide show for you to look back on-

More to come from 2013-2014 school year!

LOVE YOU!

Today you asked for a puppy.... Everyday you ask. It's sweet, and the crocodile tears are starting to wear on me. I love your salesmanship.
Meredith and amanda Neal are your best friends this summer and watch you While I work. I have been traveling a lot... Hesston KS, Denver, Boston, Minnesota, Memphis.

Mommy got a new boss and is adjusting to it. You have been so sweet.
We saw some kindergarten friends this week and are getting ready for first grade!! Can't believe it.

Today is your last day of kindergarten. What a difference a year makes. I love you, am so proud of you and can't wait to see what the summer brings.

You now read in Greek and English. You write great cards for me when I travel, and you wait for me to tell you stories of my work friends.

Often, when I am working from home, you color behind my desk and make cute signs. You are the best friend a mommy could have. You always tell me I am your favorite Mommy.

We learned you are alergic to sunscreen, but watched you finally swim the length of the pool at Judy and Tbo's Myrtle Beach house. You are so brave.

I love you - congratulations on completing Kindergarten

Its been a long time.... Since turning 6 a lot has happened

You have done a lot this school year, but the best part so far is READING. You are now reading at a pretty good rate and every sign or truck or building we pass you read it, aloud, so we can hear how smart you are!

You make good friends and you get bullied by one girl, but seem to have overcome that. You also have a great friend named Jai Daniel. He is sweet and his mommy and your mommy help each other out sometimes.  This school is a true blessing.

Mommy goes to Boston about 8 days a month, to work. You and Pinky have your routine and eat at Mario's or Char Bar 7. You get along just fine when I am gone, but when i get back we have a date day. We have seen the movie Croods 2 times in the theater. You love it. The grandmother in it reminds you of Pinky you kid with her.

You and I went to the park this weekend and you didn't even need me to push you on the swing, you did it all alone. BIG KID.  We spend spring break at home, but are headed to the Beach in May. So excited to see you swim for the first time this year. I bet you will be great.

Sunday eve. dinners continue to grow at our house and we have a lot of ladies over. Last night for example we had Ms. Judy, Sylvia, Shelly, Amanda and Meredith Neal, and us. It was great.

You are addicted to a movie called Pitch Perfect.. and the character Fat Amy... remind, me, i will be able to tell you all about her! hysterical.

you got a guitelele to practice on, and you want to be Taylor Swift so you always hold it up over your head like she does.

You are my heart as always. Today when I dropped you off at school you got out with a birds next and were talking about Oviparous animals.. didnt even say goodbye! LOVE YOU

MOMMY

Happy 6th Birthday

SVJ –

This time 6 years ago I was waiting for you to arrive.  I waited and waited and waited.  About 3 in the morning, I got up and realized that you were finally ready to come out.  That day, and everyday after have been a gift to me. You have always been a sweet girl; smiling, and happy, and social. You have overcome some obstacles, and you have always made me want to do more for you. To be the mom that you can be proud of, to be the person you want to be friends with when you get older.

At 1 you has a seizure from a fever. Cat was your first word out loud, more was your first word in sign language. At 18 months you stood up, and walked across the room after not trying at all for months and months.  At 3 you got your first stiches and 6 months later you matched it on the other side… (both eyebrows). You are always an outside girl, that drinks water over juice and wants to know what is healthy. But you also LOVE a drive through mainly for the fruit smoothies.

You talk to yourself. In the shower, in the mirror, in the bathroom… anywhere. You are very full of imagination and you surprise me every day with the stories you create. You just saw rise of the guardians, and in the shower last night you talked about how you believe in them all, but not the boogie man. You were / are SO sweet Vara, and you make me a better person.

You call my chubby and say I am fat….. when you are older you will know how amazingly hurtful that was for me. But when I ask you why, you never know what you say it, but I think you just want me to be healthy. So I am continuing to try to be a better example for you.  When you are older and read this, I was 185 -190lbs, and wear a size 14/16. I don't know how tall you will be or how much you will weigh, but I pray you are happy because you beauty inside is so much greater.

You love your Pinky. She has lived with us since you were about 3. She has seen you go from Paci and Diapers to a Kindergartener. You speak Greek with her now and have your routine when I am away.  I travel about 9 days a month, and it is ok with you now. I write on the mirror for you to erase each day when I am gone. It helps you know when I am going to be back…. We talk in sleeps… how many sleeps!

You sleep with me almost every night, and often take up the WHOLE bed. You love Bob Dole the cat, Vidia the Dog and we watch GG too.  You are a caring girl that wants a puppy or kitten.

You wear a 6x pants, and Medium Top. You are transitioning out of dresses and tend to look to wear jeans, brown boots from target that have “jewels” on them.  This year you also cut your own bangs!  You were a flower girl in Kristina Kesels Wedding in Denver. Jenni Kesel has declared you her younger sister.

You fell at the hot air balloon festival and got a scar on your nose. I had to pull a piece of glass from it and there was a lot of blood. Pinky fixed you up, but you now complain you have a crinkle nose.  I am sorry that happened. But you were VERY brave.

Josh Greene and you play all the time and have for years now. I am so happy that you are making friends for life. Ria Aggarwal was your first play date. You went up to her mom and gave her my cell number… you were so proud to know it! I was so proud of you too.

You try to not get your name on the board, but informed me it doesn't count unless you get a check! Mrs. Davis is your teacher and you have the same birthday.

Your Dad is now in Columbia SC and dating a woman names Stephanie. She has two children Ava -4 and Landon- who just turned 7 this month too. You have spent two weekends with them and seem to have done well. You did hit Ava once you admitted. She held your hand when you were at the dentist. Stephanie works there, and sadly.. you have a cavity to get filled.

Vara James… I am not sure there are words to express to you how much I love, care for and cherish you. You are my angel from God and my reason for so many things. I am eternally grateful for ALL you do, will do and have done for your mommy.

Happy 6^th Birthday –

I love you-