Skateboarding!!!

Maryam decided to take up skateboarding! I'm so excited! I used to love skateboarding as a child. My dad and his friends built us a 6 foot tall quarter pipe in my backyard. It was awesome! My siblings and I used it everyday! So when Maryam said, Hey Mommy, can you teach me how to skateboard? I said, Heck ya! Lets go!
We went out back, found an old skateboard and got started! Our major flaw in our plan was trying to use an old skateboard. I have no idea how old it is, it wasn't the right size for her and it didn't work very well at all.
Personally, I think Maryam did a GREAT job for her first time on a board. She disagreed. She tends to be pretty hard on herself. She got angry that she didn't pick it up right away. She fell and got back up again each time getting angrier at herself and the board. Finally she said, this skateboard sucks! Mommy, can you get me a new skateboard, maybe a girlie one?
The next day I found a new skateboard for her and yes, it's a girlie one. It says "Girls Rule" on it, it's pink and black and came with a helmet that says "Girls Rule" on it as well. :) After school on Monday she tried out her new board. I think she thought she was going to be an expert skateboarder because she got a new skateboard! Unfortunately she was not, which of course made her very upset. Each time she tried, she'd fall down, cry a little and try again. Pretty much every video I got is of her trying, falling, trying again, all while crying. I kept telling her to take a break, chill for a few minutes and then try again. But nope! She just kept doing it over and over again. Crying the whole time. :( Finally I convinced her to take a break, watch the videos and try again the next day.
Once Maryam went inside, Jax gave it a whirl. Jax did amazingly well. I totally underestimated his coordination. He had so much fun too!!
I'm so proud of my children, I love them.

Growing up!

Maryam always asks me if she can paint her own nails with "woman nail polish". I always say no because I'm afraid she'll make a mess, spill my polish, or who knows what! But last weekend, I decided to say yes. I'm not sorry, she did a great job! She was so proud of herself and I'm very proud of her too! I love her. :)

First day of Kindergarten

Sigh, I sighed all Sunday night while I helped Maryam pick out which dress she wanted to wear for her first day of school. I sighed as I helped her decide what to put in her lunchbox. I sighed as I brushed her teeth and got her good night snack ready. I sighed as I hung up her backpack next to my keys and purse. Sigh, sigh, sigh
I sighed after I tucked her in and we went through our "I Love You's" routine.
Me- I love you
M- I love you too
Me- I love you more
M- I love you most
I sighed after I gave her a cup of water and one last good night kiss. I sighed as I walked down the hall and sat on the couch. Then I sighed one last time right before I started to cry.
I think milestones are one of those things that are very difficult for mothers. I think part of us doesn't want our little babies to grow up. But I think the control freak in us is actually afraid. Afraid that we won't be their protector all day, everyday anymore. Now they're in the hands of their teachers. We aren't there to protect them from bullies or to kiss their knees when they fall down on the playground or open their chip bag at lunch.
To me, Maryam is one of a kind. My little girl. My miracle. The baby that lived when lets face it, no one really thought she would. Now she's one of 32 other children. She's just another face in the crowd. That kills me. I totally get why people homeschool. I'm terrified. I feel like I've spent every waking moment since 5:26 pm on December 9, 2006 keeping her alive.
Needless to say, I'm having a difficult time with Maryam starting school.
In good news, she is not! We've done such a great job installing confidence and independence that she had no problem with going to school! She was excited about meeting her teacher, finding her seat with her name on it, and meeting new friends. She didn't understand why some of the other children were crying. She asked why they were sad and crying. She was content with our response and told us she was going to have fun in kindergarten.
When the teacher told the parents that it was time to go, I sighed again, gave my punkin a hug and a kiss and tried to hold my composure until I got out of the door. I failed. As soon as I turned away from her, the tears began to roll down my cheeks. Thank goodness for sunglasses.
Four hours later I went to pick her up. She came walking out with the line of kids riding the bus. She was disappointed to learn that she wouldn't be riding the bus home. She had a good day. She ate almost all of her lunch! Papa and I took the kids to get ice cream cones to celebrate Maryam's first day of kindergarten.

It ended up a good day.

Eating her pancake

Family photo

Posing for a picture

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Maryam and Merric in their seats

drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast

Boogie and Daddy

Mommy and The Punkin

Mrs. Ritz and Maryam

Sissy and Brother

Heading into class

Dropping off her backpack

Disneyland!

We took the kids to Disneyland to celebrate Maryam being an eater for 3 years!!!! Pretty huge milestone. It means Maryam has been an eater longer than she was a tubie. I'm so proud of her.
Here are some pictures of our evening. Maryam is finely tall enough for Goofy's Flight School. So she got to go on her first roller coaster! She loved it! Plus it means she's finally over 42" tall! I took a picture of her next to the sign.
I also managed to get a great picture of all 4 of us! Hooray! There's a fun picture of Maryam sharing her spaghetti with Jax. They're so sweet to each other. I'm so proud of them.