Mother's Day

Mother's Day started out like many days do: cleaning up cat barf followed by a little plumbing project. The water problems continue but my mom is handy enough to be a certified plumber by now.

My dad and I went to the new bakery near us and got treats. He got my mom quiche (which I loved) and a dirty chai. I had cocoa and a blueberry muffin. My dad had a croissant that he said was delicious but he could tell it would taste much better in Canada. As much as Americans might try, they just cannot get the pastries quite right. And you cannot even find black forest cake here! or proper crumpets. Don't even try to order a London Fog at the coffee shop. sigh.

I made a Mother's Day gift at school. I even painted my own wrapping paper. The biggest surprise of all is that we did get a bluebonnet photo this year. I did not tell my mom that day back in April when they marched us all out to the field of flowers and took our photos that were then turned into magnets.

Speaking of school, the year is almost over. I only have two regular days of school left. Tuesday is a parent/teacher conference so my parents can hear just how smart and popular I am. Then I have two normal days of school. The last day is a celebration to send the oldest class off to kindergarten and to say goodbye to my dear friends and teachers. I am looking forward to the academic rigor of the Montessori school, and I really need it, but this has been such a positive preschool experience for me. I have made plans to visit with my school friends during the summer and to stay friends with them forever.

35 months

I celebrated my 35-month birthday yesterday. It was a relatively uneventful day as I am currently in planning mode for my third birthday party. It is going to be a grand affair. I tell everyone I meet that "I am 2 1/2" and I suppose I will need to soon practice saying I am 3.

We have enjoyed some fierce storms this week and, thus, much cooler weather. My dog has been quite afraid. I am scared of thunder too and even ate dinner under the table one evening. My dog turns to me for support though so I need to act brave for his benefit.

There has been no greater joy than frolicking in mud puddles.

99 degrees and counting

Yes, you are reading the temperature correctly in the top photo. We made it to 99 degrees today. This did not stop me from thinking I should be outside for a good long stretch of time to practice my football skills. My touchdown pass is remarkable.

The second photo was taken earlier this week when we foolishly thought a comparatively cool 93-degree day was hot. silly us. I have been reading a lot during the hot afternoons and I devoured the latest issue of National Geographic.

upside down at yoga

Here is a photo of me at yoga yesterday. I have perfected the fine art of handstands against the wall. I highly recommend this pose to anyone who suffers back, hip, or circulation problems.

I have been going to my yoga studio since January of 2009 - months before I was born.

the last supper

Since my dad is scheduled for surgery tomorrow, we went to Verde's to enjoy one last supper.

A trip to Verde's means that I get to run about on the large back lawn with one parent while the other eats alone. Since my dad's football career is over, I am now captain of the team.

my new monster truck

Since my sister moved away, we were not sure how we would spend Easter. We had a busy day and the Easter bunny managed to find my house.

We woke up quite early for a Sunday. When I say "we" got up early, I mean that my mom and I woke up at our normal early time but we dragged my dad out of bed too. There was a children's festival at my school. The second photo is me playing in my nest at school.

After the festival, we went home to see what the Easter bunny brought me. I lucked out.

But nothing was as nice as the Easter basket Lisa and Victor brought me. It had sidewalk chalk, a monster truck, chocolate (which I helped myself to throughout the evening and got progressively crazier), and some things for the bath. Did I mention that she brought me a monster truck? It is my new best friend. I have always loved Lisa but now more so than ever.

Dinner was lovely.

flowers

The one thing we can count on every spring is that our irises will bloom beautifully. The bulbs were a gift from Ellen several years ago when her aunt, a world-famous iris farmer, died. When she died, Ellen spent countless hours digging every single bulb out of the farm.

Since we finally had some rain this fall, this has been the best year yet for wildflowers. My school is covered in flowers. Of all of the first ladies, Lady Bird Johnson did the most good. And it has lasted for decades. Don't be disappointed but I may not pose for a wildflower photo this year. Well, if you can catch me, I might. The days are running out. It has been in the 90s this weekend. The flowers are about to shrivel and die. Everything is about to die.

I have finally started to ride my tractor. It was a Christmas gift from my grandmothers in 2010. I was terrified of how loud the tractor was until just this week. While I was afraid of it, I would just sit on it inside the house; sometimes I would be brave enough to honk the horn. Now I tear around the yard.