Lexi's First Bike Ride

Lexi's big birthday present was a two wheeled bicycle...with training wheels. It was a special request of Grandma and she totally came through. And an added special bonus...It's a Hello Kitty Bike!

Lexi was really timid at first, but after a bit of coaxing and lots of encouragement, she got the hang of it and really rode well!




And once she got the hang of it, she really wanted to keep going! Of course, she had to run excitedly inside to get Jeff to come out to watch her! So freaking cute!


Oh...My baby is growing up!

5 Year Old Know it All

Apparently on the way home from school today, Jeff was trying to explain something to Lexi and her response was: "Dad, I know! I'm 5 now!"

Oh my goodness...Really? Does it really start the day after they turn 5? I'm so not ready for the next 13 years of this attitude! Of course, she really only gives Dad attitude so if he can handle it...it's all his!

Happy 5th Birthday Lexi

So my girl is 5 today! Amazing! She has been counting down the days to her birthday for months!

It's her first birthday at school! So I had to go Buy cupcakes...yes you read that right! Most schools now have a rule that the goodies need to be store bought so that they can know about it's preparation and ingredients for allergy information. So what I could have made for about $4.00 cost me $19.00...what a rip off! Okay...enough griping...because Lexi LOVED her cupcakes and so did the kids. I also bought cookies for her daycare kids too.

We started off the day with Jeff walking into her room to say "Happy Birthday" to Lexi and her response..."I know it Dad!" LOL! I took her to school with the cupcakes and cookies. We first stopped off at Discovery Club (her daycare) to drop off the cookies. The kids in DC are kids from all the grades in elementary school so some of them were already there...and they had drawn a huge sign on the board in lots of colors..."Happy Birthday Lexi!" It was so cute and Lexi was just in heaven. Then we dropped off her cupcakes at her Kindergarten class and while I was doing that, she took off for the playground...something I am told she never does with Jeff! Then it was off to work for me but I knew she was having a special day!

After work and school, Lexi and I headed to her Ballet Class with Hannah and Hailey. She absolutely loves this class because H&H are there with her. Mandy and I went next door for an hour of pampering while they danced and then we headed off to dinner for Lexi's birthday.

Lexi had chosen Chinese food for dinner and she was absolutely in heaven with the egg rolls and fat rice noodles. H&H tried everything because they were all Lexi's favorites LOL!

By the time we got home, Lexi was wiped out...but she had a fabulous birthday!

Mommy takes Lexi to School

Our normal routine is that Jeff takes Lexi to school each day because it is actually right on his way to work. However, this week, Jeff is sick...in bed with fever and cough! So I am taking Lexi to school in the mornings and picking her up.

Watching her put on her backpack, walk up the school steps and line up with the other children is almost surreal. And a daily reminder of how grown up she really is. This morning, I actually walked her onto the playground and bumped into her teacher. Mrs. Geddes told me how focused Lexi is in class. I'm impressed because just a short 6 months ago, that was her biggest challenge at preschool...focusing on the task at hand! So...needless to say, I'm a very proud Mommy at the progress she has made!

I'm still also loving that the school rules and the home rules are identical so I can talk to her about how she is behaving at school and know that she understands exactly what I mean!

Growing up

So a few weeks ago, Lexi came to Jeff and I and announced that she didn't want to suck her fingers anymore. I am not sure what prompted that decision on Lexi's part. She has sucked the pointer finger and middle finger of her right hand since she was a baby...she came to us sucking those fingers. But only while she slept. I could often hear her sucking her fingers as I sat here typing away on the computer. The louder she sucked, usually meant the more tired she was.

Jeff and I have never pressured her to get her to stop sucking her fingers. We both just figured that she would grow out of that habit before she was too old. We have mentioned from time to time that "big girls don't suck their fingers." She would agree, but nothing ever really came of it.

So I did some research on line, I knew there was a product out there that would help stop this habit. When I found it, I called Jeff...$80...No way was I buying this thing. So upon more research, we figured out we had two options...both free! The first option was to put a sock on her hand...the second was to cover those to fingers with band-aids. So that evening when getting Lexi ready for bed, we gave her those to options and let her choose. Band-aids it was...and so for two weeks, she put band-aids on her fingers before bedtime.

AND IT WORKS!

Each morning she would come out and tell us... "Mommy...I didn't suck my fingers!" After two weeks of the band-aids, Lexi didn't want them anymore. "I don't need those anymore!" And sure enough, there is no more finger sucking sounds coming from her room at night! I am so proud of her for being ready, recognizing that she was ready and then really doing it!

Although, it is bittersweet...those sucking sounds almost represent her babyhood...and her babyhood is truly gone!

Parents Back to School Night

So this was our first Back to School Night! I felt like I was going to school again! We met with Lexi's teacher again, chatted for a while. I signed up for a few things to help out at school. Hopefully I'll get some of the "at Home" assignments that I can do after she goes to bed.

We checked out her classroom...the kids had their pictures taken on the first day of school. Okay...I don't know where she gets this but she posed...like a model for that picture. It was too freaking cute!

We got an update from the teachers about the discipline policy and methods they use. They talked about 1, 2, 3 Magic and Love and logic...and about a Treasure Chest and all of the things we are already doing at home. I love it. Totally validated all of the things I instituted at home and made me feel so proud that I knew what I was doing. (Intuitively, I know what I am doing is right...It's just nice to be completely validated once in a while.) Lexi is completely in sync with the teacher and completely understands what the expectations are because they are using the same tools as we are at home. AMAZING!

Purplicious

So about 6 months ago, Lexi would come out dressed head to toe in Pink or Purple...her two favorite colors and she would announce to us, "I'm Pink Delicious...because I'm wearing all pink!" Jeff and I have been puzzling over where she got this phrase. At first we thought, in one of her Strawberry Shortcake or Barbie videos. Well last week at Kindergarten Open House, the book Pinkalicious was in the bookcase and she pointed it out to us excitedly because she recognized it. AHHHH...the light bulb goes on with both Jeff and me as we finally realize where this phrase came from.

So this morning, Lexi is dress once again from head to toe in purple. So I say to her as I am readying her lunch box for school..."Lexi, you are Purplicious today." And she says to me with a grin..."I'm even wearing purple underwear!"

HAHAHAHA!

Lexi's First day at Kindergarten

First Day of School - Hello Kitty Lunchbox

Yes...today was the day...Lexi's first day of school!

We did everything to prepare...Shopped for supplies - new lunch box and all the kindergarten necessities, got her a new hair cut, toured her new classroom, met her new teacher...all the things a good parent does. We even picked out her first day's outfit...I take that back, I suggested a few and she picked one.

Then the day comes and what does she do? Throws a massive tantrum first thing this morning because she "changed her mind and wants to wear a dress." Even though we thoroughly discussed why she can only wear dresses on special days...not everyday (school rules and suggestions, not mommy's!) That reasoning and the fact that she picked her outfit, didn't seem to deter the tantrum. Took about 10 minutes of screaming, and then 1 minute of my giving her two choices for her to choose to calm down, get dressed and get on with her day! Sheeesh!

So Jeff took her to school, as is the new routine. He walked her to her classroom and watched her walk in. He called me a few minutes after that...and not that he is admitting...but he had tears in his eyes as he watched his baby walk into Kindergarten! Awww! Me, I had to call her once she got to the on-site daycare, Discovery Club, to check on her and ask her how her first day went! She was a girl of little words!
Me: "How was your first day?" Lexi: "Good!"
Me: "Was your friend Alivia there?" Lexi: "Yes."
Me: "Did you like your new teacher?" Lexi: "Yes."
Really...not many words for a little girl who usually talks non-stop!

As a treat for her first day of Kindergarten, she got to choose where we went to dinner...Chinese restaurant or Red Robin...guess which one won? RR! Too funny!

After a full belly of Mac & Cheese and Strawberry shake, she is in bed...Many more school days ahead of her!

Lexi & Liana 4th Annual Reunion

It's the 4th annual Lexi & Liana Reunion! We picked up Jodie & Liana on Saturday July 25th amid squeals of excitement as the girls saw each other at the airport. Liana ran up to Lexi with a present...the outfit they are wearing above! Of course the very next day, Lexi and Liana decided they had to be twins! Saturday afternoon was just relaxing and playing in the pool. We tired those girls out well!

Watching the girls play truly amazes me each time. They never seem to fight...of course they each have their moments when they seem to need their alone time (as only children often do) but for the most part, they really play and act like sisters. They would play in Lexi's room for 1/2 hours at a time without needing any comments from the parents! And their conversations are just too precious!

On Sunday, we took Liana and Jodie on a mini tour of Sacramento which included the walking tour of Old Sacramento. Everywhere we went, we got the comment/question: "Are they twins?" Jodie and I laughed every time! And of course Jeff's comment...They're Chinese...they all look alike :-p! After the tour and lunch, we headed back home since the girls both still took naps. Our daily routine was out and about for the morning and lunch and back by 2 for naps. After naps, we let the girls go swimming, both in the little wading pool and the big pool.


Monday was a trip to Funderland...Lexi's first trip! OMG they had a blast! At first they wanted Jodie and I to go on the rides with them. As they got more and more brave, they started going on them without us!


The car ride was their favorite...I think they went on it about 7 times... in a row!

Tuesday, at breakfast, Lexi asked, "Is Liana leaving tomorrow?" "Yes." "I'm going to miss her! I think tonight I'm going to dream of her because I am going to miss her." What an amazing child!

Tuesday was water day. At first we were going to go to the beach at Folsom Lake, then a water park...in the end Jodie and I decided on a park with a water feature. Free and less work for the Moms! AND the kids didn't really seem to care...they just wanted to play together!


Wednesday was teary and sad for both the girls. As I got ready for work, Lexi and Liana enjoyed one last breakfast together. When Jodie was packed, we loaded the car up with the luggage and the girls. First we dropped Lexi off at daycare...not a fun time. She was so weepy and sad and wouldn't leave my side. Apparently, at the same time, Liana was in the car weeping as well. As much as Jodie and I love these visits, apparently they are going to get harder as time goes on...especially when it comes time to separate for the rest of the year!

Well...Jodie and I already have tentative plans for next year's visit! Hope that makes the girls feel better! But until then...we'll just keep up the drawing-pal program!

July Fun Times with the Lott Family

Seems that we have set up some annual celebrations with the Lott family. Easter, July 4th, Halloween and Christmas seem to be what we celebrate together.

July 4th Celebration usually entails swimming, dinner and then our own fireworks in the street with our own pyromaniac...Jeff.

Lexi...still learning to swim...but no water wings this year!

In past years, we have headed home afterwards or put Lexi to bed there, had our adult games of poker or other games, and then taken Lexi home in the early morning hours. This year, we were planning big, to spend the night so that the adults could relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. Unfortunately, Jeff was a bit under the weather so only joined us for dinner and fireworks and only Lexi and I spent the night. But we still had a fun filled night!



These kids don't like each other at all - ;-)!

This has been the first year that Lexi hasn't been afraid of the fireworks or the noise! That was so great to see the growth in her!

The following weekend, The Lotts and the Pudoff's started their new annual Camp Trip! We decided early on to keep things simple and kid friendly and camped at The Campground by the Lake in Lake Tahoe. There was a playground next door and the Lake across the street for activities with the kids. It really was a lot of fun!

The weekend started off with Lexi supervising our setting up camp! Too funny!

Mandy and Chuck didn't arrive until later in the evening so we supervised the children while they set up their camp. Once their tent was up, it was clear that all five of them could not fit in their tent. So we decided the girls would have the other half of our tent sleeping side by side. Darn it if I never took a picture of that scene! Grrrr!

On Saturday, we decided to take the kids to the playground, have an early nap before heading to the lake for the afternoon.

Hannah, Spencer & Lexi...Just Hanging out!

Hailey & Lexi Chillin' - Too freaking cute!

Tire Swing...Woohoo!

How completely strange that this is actually the first time Lexi has been to Lake Tahoe?!? At first she was a little scared of the lake...it was fairly windy that day and the waves were ocean-like waves. But then she warmed up and as she says, "got brave"!

Making "Birthday Cakes"!

Starting to lose her fear of the waves...

Fear? What Fear?

Just to show you how brave Lexi became!

As we were leaving the beach, we could see some clouds building up in the distance. Both Mandy and I had to stop at stores on the way back to the campsite and by the time I arrived it was drizzling. By the time Mandy and Family arrived, it was raining. Mandy and Chuck had the smarts to bring along their portable DVD player, so we set the kids up in our tent to watch a movie while the adults made dinner. It would rain, stop, drizzle, stop, and then rain some more. Mandy really wanted to pack the kids up and take them to McDonald's, but Chuck and I managed to convince her to stay and tough it out. Chuck manned the grill for the adults' dinner and I worked on the kid meals. Lucky for us, Jeff and I had just purchased our new tent - the monstrous 2 bedroom with a front screened in porch! So while the kids were in the tent with the movie, we set up dinner out on the porch. Once the kids ate their dinners, it was back inside for more movie while the adults enjoyed their dinner. By the time dinner and dishes were done, the rain had stopped and the stars had come out! Very cool in my book...and the tent held up incredibly well in the rain!

Sunday...it was pack up and move out! Mandy took the kids over to the playground while the rest of us broke camp. I think we were out of there by 10:30 AM...a feat in itself without kids! And while it was a lot of work, we are definitely on for next year...but hopefully for a 3 day weekend.

Graduation Pictures

So initially I kept thinking that Preschool Graduation was bit corny and over the top. But after witnessing it, La Petite Academy did a great job keeping it real. So while they kids did have a cap and tassle, it was more about the milestone of finishing preschool and moving onto Kindergarten.

Lexi, Lauren, Katelynn & Laine - the Four Musketeers according to their teachers!

They had the class prepare a little song and I don't know what was going on with Lexi, but she got stage fright or something. She was up in front, line leader, lead the kids all onto the playground, and then sat down and had this scared look on her face most of the time. There were a few tears but I think she was just overwhelmed that there were so many people looking at her. I actually don't think she realized that both Grandmothers were also going to be in attendance...watching her...much more pressure! She's going to have to get over that if she ever is in school plays and such!


Well, once the class was done with their little song, LPA did something really cute. They had the kids line up, walk across the play structure, slide down the slide to get their "diploma"! So stinkin' cute!

Miss Amy!

The school had a little Potluck Picnic after the ceremony, but we had already decided to go out to dinner to celebrate. What a cute celebration!

Lexi Milestones - Preschool Graduation

Tomorrow is going to be such a momentous day! Lexi "graduates" from preschool! Her school has been talking this event up a storm. For me it is bittersweet.

First...this means that my baby is going to take her first major step towards growing up! I know, it is inevitable and we have been working towards this and will continue to work forwards. But for me, this is truly the end of her babyhood.

Second...In less than 2 months, she will start Kindergarten! She is so excited! And I'm afraid she might be a bit sad too because all her friends won't be with her. Each of her little group...Lauren, Caitlyn, Laine, DeLaney...they are all going to different schools next year. So they all start Kindergarten with a clean slate for friends. I know all the parents are kind of sad about that because we know how close these girls are to each other.

Pictures tomorrow!

Sam & Chelsey's Reception

Yesterday was Sam & Chelsey's Wedding Reception, Jeff's brother & new sister-in-law. For their wedding present, I made them a wedding cake for the reception.

The reception was in my Mother-in-law's backyard with catered food and lots of drinks! It was a luau theme and lots of fun.

After all the co-workers and acquaintances had left, the immediate family stayed around playing...what else? Rock Band! Yup!

Here's Lexi rocking out!



Fun Times!

Flashback...Talk Pictures Mommy!

So, every once in a while, Lexi insists on watching her "Talk Pictures" or her videos from the past 4 years. This is, of course, in lieu of our normal nighttime routine of reading books and singing songs before bedtime...she gets about 15 minutes of watching her videos. I love doing this too because it reminds me to record more of Lexi for posterity sake. I remember last year, when she was watching these one day, realizing that I hadn't taken any videos in a few months...causing me to remind myself to do so whenever something funny came up! And she LOVES watching her "talk pictures"...and just cracks up. We usually try to stay chronilogical...starting with her adoption video, videos when she just came home.

One of my favorites from the first few weeks home is a video of Lexi dancing to her Leapfrog Lily counting numbers doll...push the belly and she sings. Lexi would push the belly and sway along to the music demonstrating her musical affinity at such an early age!

My other favorite first months video is the one of her displaying her signing abilities after just about 2 months of classes.

After a few baby ones...she gets specific and wants to see her videos with her Cousin Violet, or Liana, or Hannah & Hailey. So funny!

St. Patty's Day Party

Did I mention this was a crazy busy weekend? After I attended a friend's baby shower in the morning, we headed over to another Playgroup Party - this time it was a St. Patty's Day Party!

Our hostess, Lisa, went to town with decorations. As with this group of friends...we always do potluck for our gatherings and this time, it was all green food! The kids thought it was hilarious!

We usually get the kids fed and then have grown up time while we eat. Here's Dawn with the lineup of plates! LOL!

With green Mac & Cheese, green veggies, green jello...yes and even green frosting for the cupcakes...the kids loved it! Of course, during their meal, they spent some of it looking out the window in search of the leprechans! Too funny.

After the grownups had a chance to eat and socialize, the kids went outside to play to burn off some steam. We also celebrated our 5 year anniversary as a group of friends since we all met because we were all going to the same fertility clinic. When we first met, we had 1 child in 9 families. Now we have 20!

Lisa had more St. Patty's day activities lined up for the kids. She read a story and had Irish music in the background. Got the kids up and dancing...that's for sure!

Apparently, Jeff has been too shy around these friends because he was playing with the Siler girls and I got so many remarks about how they were interacting it was too funny! I kept telling them all that this is just a glimpse into the daily routine at the Pudoff House!

Play Group Picnic!

This was a crazy busy weekend! We hadn't seen our Playgroup friends in a while so we all decided on a picnic at an El Dorado Hills park for a playdate.

The Pudoff family, as is always the case, was the first there and so we marked off a few picnic tables and Jeff and Lexi went to play and explore. The play structure was really nice and the view...well, let's just say that the gated community must have Million Dollar homes because the view was breathtaking. Folsom Lake, the hills, just beautiful.

Joe Zavada and the Burns family was next to arrive. Funny to see how the kids interact with each other when it is not the whole group. Lexi and Natasha spent quite a bit of time running around, collecting pine nuts, just playing. It was so cool.

They also stopped to pet and play with a golden retreiver puppy who was just so cute. Reminded me so much of Chopin when he was a puppy!

The kids also chased and played with a neighborhood cat...they were pretty busy! I think Lexi really liked this playdate because she got a real kick out of the "picnic" aspect of the outing.

After all that playing, Lexi went home and took a really nice long nap. That gave me time to prepare dinner since Grandma Pudoff and Uncle Sam and Aunt Chelsey were coming over for dinner!

Playing Outside

It has been really nice outside lately and whenever that happens, I've been encouraging Lexi to go outside to play. Today, Jeff happened to be out in the backyard practicing, what else?, his golf swing. So Lexi decided she wanted to join him. Of course, I'm not quite sure when she put her ballerina outfit on since I was actually inside cooking and cleaning! LOL. When I looked up and saw her ensemble, I just had to pull out the camera and take a few pictures. She is quite the character, isn't she?





The following day, it was so nice again, she wanted to go draw on the patio.

With days as nice as they are, I can't say no! Keeps her from going stir crazy in the house.

Crab Feed Cake Donations

For the past few years, I have made and donated cakes to Active 20-30 #1032's Crab Feed - Dessert Auction. Last year was the first year that I donated 6 cakes, two of each flavor. This year I did the same, two chocolate with chocolate mousse filling, Lemon cake with raspberry filling and Carrot Cake. I am so pleased to say that these cakes helped raise over $1200 for children's charities in the Sacramento Region!

Last year was also the first time I had tried to sculpt anything for the decorations. I started off with fondant sculpted carrots and I must say that this year's carrots looked even more realistic!

This year, I added sculpted Lemons to my repitoire!


I am finding that the sculpting is lots of fun!

Sleep Over!

Tonight was Lexi's 2nd sleep over at the Lott house! The first time she did that was on Monte Carlo night. Leading up to Crab Feed, I originally asked my mom to come up to stay with Lexi, because she doesn't see Paw-Paw very often and Gong-gong (my dad) was in China for a few weeks. Unfortunately, that meant that Mom had to drive up from San Jose by herself and she was not really looking forward to doing that. So at the the last minute, Mandy called to invite Lexi for a sleepover. Perfect timing! That's what best friends are for! Leading up to that night...I usually don't tell Lexi about these things because then she will ask and talk about it non-stop. I think I didn't tell her about it until Friday so that she wouldn't get too excited about it.

I had to leave and be on-site at the event facility all day, so Jeff took Lexi over to the Lott Family house after her nap. She was beyond excited and pretty much only slept about an hour for her nap because she was so excited.

So apprently, Lexi does really well when she goes to spend the night with Hannah & Hailey...and Spencer! Per Aunt Mandy & Uncle Chuck, the girls play really well the whole time Lexi is there and then they also engage Spencer in a "Monster" chase game, where Spencer is the monster and the girls chase and run away from him. From what I hear, there's lots of screaming involved! All three girls slept on the floor together so that there were no fights about who got to be closer to Lexi...LOL!

When Lexi did come home, all she could talk about was Hannah and Hailey and Spencer and how she listened really good to Uncle Chuck and Aunt Mandy! LOL!

I have to say that I am so pleased, lucky and happy that my child and my best friend's children adore each other so much. I think that is always the hope when we have our kids, that they will be as good of friends to each other as we, the adults, are. I am not sure it always happens, but when it does, it is just magical and priceless!

Violet's Birthday Party

So I know...I've been very lax about posting here. Life has been too crazy busy!
We went to Violet's 2nd Birthday Party! We spend the night before at my sister's house and after the kids went to bed, Michelle and I did all the party planning...food, cake, favors, etc. The next morning, after breakfast and all, it was time for the party. The party was at an indoor play center and the kids loved it! Violet had such a ball. And Lexi was just precious...with the present we picked out for Violet and making sure Violet was able to open it. So cute! It is very apparent that Lexi and Violet adore each other!

Lexi with Grandma/Paw-paw.

Mini "roller coaster"! The kids had a blast "racing" each other down the ramp!

Presents!

Lexi was wiped out after the party. It took less than a mile in the car before she was out like a light!