About a week ago Skylie finished up her last day of preschool for the year. It's been a fantastic experience for her, and one she will repeat next year--with a different teacher. Most of her friends head to kindergarten in August, but Skylie misses the cut off by a few weeks.
Below are some pics from her past year of preschool that teachers compiled for parents. Skylie and I adore her preschool teachers, and I'm thrilled Kaitlyn will get to know them this upcoming year.
Skylie and her preschool BFF
I recently asked Skylie what she wanted to do this summer. Here's what she said. Thankfully, I think I can make most of her wishes come true.
Skylie's Summer Bucket List
Hiking lots and lots
Camp out
Go to Grandma's and Nana's house
Go fishing at Utah and see the dinosaur museum
Sleep in our tent in our backyard
Potty train Kaitlyn
Swim at the pool and invite our friends
Go to two beaches at Indiana Beach
Hang out lots and lots with Dad
Things I want to remember about Skylie at 4 1/2 years old:
She is still fascinated with all living creatures and is daily (sometimes hourly) asking if she can make a bug a home in a container.
She is so full of ENERGY! Sometimes I feel like she's sucking all the energy out of me and bottling it for her use. Matt's described it well: "Skylie's so full of life. Kaitlyn's so full of attitude."
She loves babies, and her adoration for Ava hasn't worn off.
She always wants to have a buddy to play with.
She tends to make one best friend at preschool or church, and they stick together like glue.
She loves being silly, making people laugh, and wearing pajamas.
She gushes with expressions of her love for me and Matt. It's pretty cute.
She's recently begun doing chores (setting the table, emptying garbages, folding laundry) to earn a little money. She's excited about it but is certain we should only do chores we like.
Like all four-year-olds, she's far from perfect. But I love talking to her and better understanding how she perceives her world. She's so animated and communicates her thoughts well.
I look at her and can't believe my baby is almost five! She's grown so fast. It makes me a little sad sometimes, and I feel like I need be better at cherishing every minute. Even so, I'm excited to watch how my spunky little girl grows and develops.
I love my Skylie Bug and am so proud to be her mama.
Skylie and her two preschool buddies. Two of my friends and I rotate hosting preschool once a week for these little ladies. Each week whomever is hosting reads a book to the girls then relates the educational activities to the book. This particular day we'd read a Fancy Nancy book. I'd planned to do an art project with them and get them dressed up for a fancy picnic of hot cocoa and other snacks. But these three asked to skip all things fancy and go straight to the food!
Skylie,
At three-and-a-half you are loads of energy! I love your enthusiasm. It is catching and can make the most mundane activity seem like a lot of fun. Once when telling you about an upcoming vacation where we'd go swimming, your eyes got big and you gleefully cried out, "And then we'll WASH OUR HAIR! and BLOW DRY IT!"
Generally, you are a sweet, sweet girl. You are quick to express your love to others, and in small crowds make friends fast. Perhaps your favorite friends are the four-legged kind. You'd chase after any and every dog we came across if I let you. You've learned to ask the owner, "Can I pet your dog?"
You request a lot of my attention. If I need to get anything done while Kaitlyn naps it's best if you have a friend over to play or if you watch a TV show.
You talk about both sets of grandparents daily. We took a trip to see them last month, and yesterday when I asked, "What do you want to do today?" you responded, "How 'bout we go on a trip 'n see Nana and Papa and Nana and Grampa?"
Teasing and making others laugh is one of your favorite past times. You crack me up often without even trying. Once you'd gone to use the bathroom, and when Dad went to check on you he found you reprimanding a paper kitten you'd made months ago. You, standing on top of the toilet seat, reached into the garbage can (which was on the top of the toilet--high out of Kaitlyn's reach). "What are you doing in here!?" you scolded. "You're not supposed to be in the garbage."
You also like:
Going to a nearby conservatory to see the fish ponds, insects, and flowers
Reading Dora and Fancy Nancy books and The Pout Pout Fish
Art, markers, play dough, playing at the park or outside, going for walks, playing with friends, cooking, and playing games on Daddy iPad
Library story time, preschool, playgroup, picnics, and museums around town
Marshmallows, chocolate or vanilla milk, cereal, yogurt, and most treats
Pink and purple
Asking, "Is that a funny word?" or stating, "I want swee (three) 'cause I'm swee."
{Which picture do you like better? Sky leaning forward with her spunky grin or sitting up perfectly posed? I have the pictures in both color and black and white. I want to get big prints and put them on canvas, but I'm having the toughest time deciding which shots to choose.}
Skylie's Stats at Three Years:
Height: 37 1/4th inches; 3 feet, 1 1/4 inches
Weight: 27 3/4th pounds
Body Mass Index: 14
Skylie At Three Years Old:
Wants to do everything by herself. If I accidentally help her--say I lift her out of the car--she'll say, "I want to do it myself!" Then she'll climb back into the car only to turn around and get back out. All. By. Her. Self.
Loves friends and would rather play with kids than most anything else.
Has become quite the Daddy's girl and will follow him around like a lost puppy (sometimes literally) when he gets home from work.
She claims Sadie is her best friend, but also talks often about her other friends and says they're her favorite, too. Seeing her cousin, Braylie on our recent vacation made a huge impression on her, and she often asks when she can play with Braylie again. Sky's second cousin, Meg, is also a favorite buddy.
She's becoming a girly-girl and insists on picking out her own clothes, eating and putting on my chap stick, playing dress up, and having curly hair like her cousin Savannah. Sky saw Savannah getting her hair curled while in Utah, and now I can always convince Sky to let me use the curling iron on her so she can have curls like her cousin.
On rare occasions (Father's Day, Matt's birthday, etc.), I have taken the girls to get a present for Matt. Or we have made him something special to eat. Now Skylie thinks that anything we make or buy is for Daddy. Just yesterday she insisted that the salad we were preparing for dinner "was for daddy". I reminded her multiple times that dinner was for all of us. Even so, when Matt walked in the door Skylie proudly announced that Matt could "eat the salad Mommy made for you!"
She is the sweetest girl and will often say and do things that makes my heart melt. She is quick to give lots of hugs and kisses, especially at bedtime. But there's a little bit of spice to that sweet, and lately she's been showing an edge of attitude. We've been talking with her about using kind words and talking in a nice voice. It has yet to have much impact, I think! :)
After observing my kids play at the park one of my high school friends said regarding Skylie, "I didn't know you when you were three, but I'd bet you were just like Skylie." Let's hope Sky doesn't take that as an insult!
Skylie's Papa Pitcher also said that she is, "a hoot!" Ditto.
She is still as lively and enthusiastic as ever.
She loves the shows Dora, MickeyMouse,Elmo, and Max and Ruby.
Her favorite places to go are to the store, the gym, the library, the Children's Museum, playgroup, swimming, and the park.
She's fantastic at coloring, but all those mad skills go out the window whenever she's around other kids. At home she'll carefully color in the lines, but once she's at nursery all she'll do is scribble across the page a time or two.
Her
favorite holidays are Halloween and Easter. Skylie wants
to be a princess this year for Halloween and has instructed me and Matt
to be a dragon and a dinosaur respectively.
She likes to be a little mommy to Kaitlyn. Skylie will often talk in a "baby voice" to Kaitlyn or help Kaitlyn eat, which is adorable. She's also quick to chastise her little sister--which is not so adorable.
She sings. A lot. I'm impressed with how well she knows words to
many songs, but she's quite adamant about not singing on camera. Making
up her own songs is a daily part of her life. Yesterday afternoon one could
have found Skylie perched on the counter belting out songs (some real
and some not so) while I prepared dinner.
I love my Skylie Bug more each day, and it's hard to wrap my head around the idea that she's growing up. I bought her some shoes last week, and I was in shook at the size of those feet!
Yesterday Skylie turned three. It's hard to imagine that my little firecracker has only been around three years. Whatever did we do without her!? Her birth forever changed my life more significantly than any other event or rite of passage. For that I am truly grateful.
At some point I'll get caught up and post all the details of her special day, but for now here's a video my friend took at Sky's birthday celebration where we barbecued at a nearby park with a few friends.
You're at a really fun stage right now! It does have it's challenges at times, but overall I'm really enjoying you at two-and-a-half years old. On a lazy Sunday morning you got your hair cut about three inches. It makes you look more grown up. You rarely consent to letting me do your hair, and the slightly shorter look helps your hair look nice even when it's not in pigtails. We went on a Mommy, Daddy, Daughter Date to Subway last week. Who would have guessed that a $1.19 fountain drink would be so exciting to you? You had a blast trying all the flavors! Spring has finally shown her face her in Indiana. Last week at playgroup we headed outdoors. As you noticed the surroundings--swing set, trampoline, and ginormous sand box--you squealed with delight and exclaimed, "Oh! I love this one!" Then you raced to the sandbox. You love playing Hide and Go Seek. While I was organizing Kaitlyn's room you played with me. Every single time you hid under the crib. After a moment of silence you'd pop out and announced, "There she is!" There's nothing you love more than watching movies, eating treats, and being in your jammies. I recently began teaching group exercise classes at the YMCA and at LA Fitness. You like LA Fitness ("the white gym" as you call it) better because the TV is always on there. You insist on picking out your own clothes, and when I try to sneak cute flowers in your hair you usually pull them out as soon as you realize they're there. Your outfits look a bit crazy, but that's one battle I'm opting out of.
Yesterday I laid in bed sick most of the day. When you came home from grocery shopping with Dad you visited me and worked with all your might to straighten the blankets and cover me up. While doing so you patted me and said, "You're a smart girl.", and "I love my girls." So cute!
While browsing some previous letters I'd written you, I came across this note that I wrote when you were six months:
"Once when Dad and I were watching two other babies, they seemed as content and calm as could be. You, on the other hand, were flying from one side of the exersaucer to the other— trying to eat the toys—and letting your presence be known with all your squeals.
"Your dad said, 'Compared to Logan and Taylor, Skylie acts like she's on crack.'"
Dad and I laughed at that memory. It's fun to look back and see how you've changed and grown but also realize the trademarks of your personality that endure. Trademarks, such as your high energy and excitement over even the smallest of events are two characteristics that I love about you.
{Playing at the Indianapolis Museum of Art}
In her Christmas letter this year your Grandma Zane wrote of you:
"[Skylie] loves reading books and will sit for an hour or more if she has someone to read to her...She is a mini Erin who always has to be going or doing something!"
You are an on-the-go little girl. Last summer we spent many a day at the community pool with friends. Many of our outings were shared with two other girls close to your age. While they were--for the most part--content to sit with their moms, you preferred to run around the perimeter of the pool and plunge into deeper water where the big kids played. I'm sure the very pregnant mom chasing after you was quite the sight!
Your spunky personality and zest for life are at times challenging, but they're also some of the characteristics I love most about you!
{Greeting Kaitlyn first thing in the morning}
The theatrics in you test my patience at times. Like yesterday morning: "I WANT MY POLKA DOT JAMMIES ON!!!!!!!!!" But by that same token, you're even more giddy and delightful than you are strong-willed. Yesterday afternoon: "I went to the MUSEUM a-DAY! I got to eat a COOKIE!" (followed by squeals and laughs).
You're a quick learner. I've recently begun teaching you the Church's nursery lessons for Family Home Evening and as a Sunday morning activity. You love having those lessons, and I'm often surprised at all that you absorb. Last week you noticed a family picture I'd used during a previous lesson. You pointed at each family member and exclaimed, "Katins a child a God. And I's a child a God. Daddy's a chile a God. Mommy's a chile a God." Then you lifted your arms over your head making a circle with your arms and announced, "We's ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLs childs a God."
{Giving serious loves to her baby sister}
There's nothing you love more than playing with other kids, eating treats, and climbing into Kaitlyn's crib to wake her up when she should be napping.
{Singing to her own tune--and lyrics}
You also love:
Making up your own songs
Playing with Daddy
Helping take care of Kaitlyn
Treats of all kind, especially marshmallows, cookies, ice-cream, and homemade granola bars
Coloring
Taking baths
Stealing my makeup brushes and painting the walls with remnants of blush
Going to the Children's Museum, the store, the mall, and the library--especially for story time
Going to our church's playgroup. We usually meet at a grandma's house, and lately she's been making treats with you kids. Last week when I asked you if you wanted to go to playgroup, you exclaimed, "I go pway groop at Gramma Pat's! I make COOKIES!!!"
{Reading "The Monster at the End of this Book" with Daddy and Kaitlyn}
This month you:
Hiked in Brown County State Park with your cousins and great aunt and uncle (Dave and Jenny's family, and Cindy and Brian).
Partook in the Super Bowl festivities downtown--since Indianapolis is hosting the big event this year.
Visited the long-awaited and much-anticipated "Panda Bear Store" AKA Panda Express on a daddy-daughter date.
Toured the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Mom and Dad got dirty looks when you touched the balloon modern art display. Oops.
Played "basketball" for the first time at the gym with Mom.
{Super Bowl Festivities in Indianapolis}
At 29 months:
You are potty trained and will usually tell someone when you need to go to the bathroom.
You are the queen of stalling. Before naps and bedtime you insist on looking at Kaitlyn sleeping in her crib at least four times, won't be satisfied unless we say two prayers, draw out hugs and kisses, and will often say you need to wipe your nose or use the bathroom in an effort to delay the inevitable.
You still nap, but quite often you don't fall asleep and will instead have quiet time in your room for an hour or so.
You're strict about not having a single item in your room during naps and when you go to bed. If there's a toy or any item of clothing on the floor, you insist on putting it back.
You're also quite particular about your blanket. When we say prayers at bedtime the blanket must be on your lap and lying perfectly flat on the floor. Funny girl.
I love the words that come out of your mouth! At least once a day you crack me up with one of your remarks. You're quick to say "actually" and "probably". When I'm feeding Kaitlyn you usually inform me that, "She's probabee thirsty." Yesterday in the car you pleaded, "I'm actually weely hungwe!" We were dropping a DVD off at McDonalds, and when you heard Daddy say "McDonalds" you corrected him, "Dat's not Old McDonald!" (That's your favorite song of late, and according to you all sorts of strange creatures live at Old McDonald's farm.) While playing with with your dollhouse on Christmas Day you set the Mommy doll on the table and firmly demanded, "Mommy, get off the table. Mommy, get off the table. Mommy, get off the table." Apparently you've heard that request one too many times. A few weeks ago our family was getting ready to head out the door. You began darting from bedroom to bedroom exclaiming, "Oh! I almost forgot one thing! Oh! I almost forgot one thing!" I asked you what you'd forgotten, but you couldn't muster up an answer. I suspect you've also heard that phrase from me all too often. Yesterday I left the kitchen to get Kaitlyn out of bed. A few minutes later you tumbled up the stairs carrying (and spilling) my hot chocolate. You proudly announced, "I brought you your hot chocwat! It's a widdle hot!" You then searched for Daddy to exclaim, "I brought Mommy's hot chocwat! I brought it!" You'd pulled a chair from the table over to the counter, and climbed up on it to reach my drink. What a helpful girl you are. In similar fashion, this morning while I ate my dry cereal you proudly--and by your own self-will--brought me a spoon. Thanks, Kiddo. Once you'd tucked a blanket around yourself and Kaitlyn, and when I picked her up you scowled, "Hey! Dat's my baby. Put 'er back!" The past two months have brought a fair amount of changes to our family.
I've potty trained you. It was a rough few days, and we still have our share of accidents, but overall the process went smoother than I'd expected. You were definitely ready to take that jump. I bribed you with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows, and we sat on the toilet reading lots and lots of books ALL. DAY. LONG.
We now have a pass to the Children's Museum, and we've taken you several times. You love it and often ask to "Go to museum a day?" You also love the library and often ask to visit. Any day I run errands you ask to, "go one more store?", and you have high hopes of someday going to the Panda Bear store (Panda Express).
You love your cousins, especially Meg and Bethany because of all the attention they both give you.
You are Kaitlyn's protector. You'll often inform me that "Kaitlyn's cryin'", and you insist on peeking in at her crib before naps and bedtime. The last words you tell us as you're laying down are always, "Kaitlyn close 'er eyes?"
Once I stayed home from church with Kaitlyn. When Daddy picked you up from nursery at the end of church you demanded, "Where's my mommy!? I WANNA FIND MY MOMMY!" I beamed when Daddy recounted the incident, but the next week when you were asking for your daddy, I realized that I'm not always #1 in your book!
You love movies, books, coloring (especially with markers), babies, cuddling under blankets, animals, singing, lollipops, chicken pot pie, hot chocolate, ice cream, oatmeal, edemame, cereal, sitting on Mommy or Daddy's lap at mealtimes, and playing with friends. You don't like getting your hair fixed, naps, or sharing.
You enjoyed getting presents and eating candy canes on Christmas, but you weren't too sure about Santa Claus.
You are a sweet, and fun and full of energy. I love you. Please keep giving me those big hugs at bedtime.
The above clip is my attempt to capture Skylie singing, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" on video. Skylie and I are both usually much better at knowing the words, but we're not much of performers for the cameras. ;)
Skylie,
You are one fun girl. It seems like you're always going 100 miles per hour.
Your friend came over once to play this month, and I couldn't help but notice the differences in your two temperaments.
For example: I asked if you guys wanted to read books. She calmly said, "yes" and obediently walked to bring me one book. You, on the other hand, shouted excitedly, "I do!" and ran back and forth piling book after book in front of me. Similar instances happened all afternoon, partly, I think, because you were in your comfort zone but also because you are simply are so full of life.
Later you two hugged. You were a bit too vigorous at first and knocked her down--twice. She didn't seem to mind and even hugged you again. The two of you looked pretty adorable.
You still love your sister. If I ever am unable to sooth Kaitlyn's crying immediately (like I'm in the shower, changing your diaper, etc.) you'll tell me "Kaityn cryin.' Kaityn cryin'." Or you'll pat her head or try to shove her binkie in her mouth (which you're getting pretty good at). When you first wake you always ask, "Kaitin awake?", and before you take a nap or sleep for the night you have to make sure Kaitlyn is in her bed. You say, "Kaitin' goin' a bed...Kaitin close 'er eyes."
You miss your grandparents and frequently ask, "Gnana and Gampa? Wanna pway a dem."
This month:
We went to the temple in Louisville Kentucky. You and I played at a nearby park while Daddy attended the temple, then Dad and I switched. Since then you've frequently asked, "I goin' a temple aday?"
You visited a nearby apple orchard with your daddy and me and later you and I went with friends.You loved playing in the straw, looking at the apple trees, wandering the corn maze, and playing at the playground.
Daddy and I took you to the haunted house at the Children's Museum. (You and I worked hard reading books this summer to earn those free tickets from the library.) You were too naive to be scared or even think it was very cool.
I gave a very lame attempt to potty train you, and you have used the toilet. I'm just not sure I want to commit to the work of training you quite yet. Soon though--you seem quite interested and ready.
At 26 months you can:
Count to 14
Sing lots of songs
Use the toilet
Give your sister a bottle (sort of)
Tonight we took a hayride and I asked, "Are you happy?" You replied emphatically shaking your head, "No, I not happy." Then you grinned your silly grin.
You're a happy girl, and you make me so happy, too.
This past month your grandparents and Uncle Lee came to visit for Kaitlyn's baby blessings. You loved all the attention from your grandparents and have been asking to play with them ever since. While they were here we took you to an apple orchard, Southeastway Park, a dairy farm, and to the river walk downtown. We also celebrated Grandma Zane's birthday while Grandma and Grandpa were out here, and you got so excited about wearing a birthday hat and blowing out the candles.
Reading books with Grandma Zane
Ready to blow out birthday candles for Grandma's birthday
Walking back to the cars with Grandma Zane and Nana Pitcher after a rainy visit to the dairy farm
Playing with Papa Pitcher
Helping Nana Pitcher bake an apple pie
You've picked up some funny phrases from who knows where. Whenever I ask you if you want something (For example: "Skylie, do you want some apple?"), you respond enthusiastically, "I do!". I also love how you talk to Kaitlyn in a sweet baby talk voice. You copycat whatever I say to Kaitlyn--but it sounds so much cuter and funnier coming out of your lips than mine!
Art projects have become your favorite past time of late. You're in heaven gluing letters, sticking stickers, and coloring to your heart's content. We display your masterpieces on the fridge, and you're quick to compliment yourself on the "pretty pictures".
Being with other kids is the highlight of your LIFE. Whenever I tell you we're going for an outing you perk up and ask to, "play with kids?!" Daddy thinks you're going to be a social butterfly. I love you so much, Skylie! Your spunky and sassy personality makes every day a riot.
"You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old...nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out ... Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value ... The baby you hold in your arms will grow as quickly as the sunrise and the sunset of the rushing days."
~ President Gordon B. Hinckley
Also On Motherhood
"Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones....
"You can’t possibly do this alone, but you do have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be."
