Loose Tooth!

Last week on the day Cohen graduated preschool I noticed her tooth looked a little different.  I've always loved Cohen's straight little baby teeth, and one looked a little out of place.  Come to find out it was loose.  Now, a week later, it is hanging by a thread!  Cohen is afraid to pull it out but the permanent tooth is already coming in behind it and so is the one right beside it!  I called the dentist when I saw this because it freaked me out just a tad.  The dentist assured me that this was normal and that it would probably push the loose tooth right on out and then it would come forward.  I think that was my biggest fear.  I just know these perfectly straight baby teeth are going to be replaced with crooked permanent teeth.   I have a feeling the tooth fairy better get ready because we are going to have 2 teeth coming out at any time.  I wanted a picture of this sweet face before these teeth come out.  I've always dreaded her teeth falling out but it looks like the time is here!

Loose Tooth!

The permanent tooth coming in behind it

Cohen's Dance Recital

Saturday night was Cohen's first dance recital.  She had been so excited to wear her costumes.  She missed her recital practice this week because she wasn't feeling good...of all the week's to feel bad it was not a good one but we managed.  I thought she might be a little nervous about the big stage but she didn't seem to be phased by it at all and was just excited.  Everything was so cute and all the girls did a great job.
Funny story...Cohen has always loved candy.  What child doesn't, right?!  Right after she turned 3, she began singing with the children's choir at church.  That happened to be a year they did a spring musical.  One Sunday night they were singing a few songs at church as a teaser to the upcoming musical.  We forgot all about Cohen having 2 Starburst in her dress pocket, but right in the middle of singing she found them and proceeded to unwrap them and eat them right there in front of the church while everyone was singing.  Not only that, but she just let the paper fall right to the floor while she peeled.  It was funny but at the same time I was thinking how I wished I had thought to take them out of her pocket.  Well...at the recital Saturday she had got a piece of gum from Suggie when we were driving there.  I had told her not to forget to spit it out but she did!  On her ballet routine I didn't notice it at all but when she did her baton routine I could see her smacking away at it.  I think she was chewing to the rhythm of the music.  I also got a kick out of all the girls looking off stage to find Miss Cezann trying to make sure they knew what came next in the routine.  They were too cute though and I loved watching her.  We have enjoyed our first year of dance at ATRM.  Miss Amy, Miss Cezann, and Miss Caroline are the best!

Looking for Miss Cezann

The recital ended with a Daddy/daughter dance.  Cohen had not been to the practice for this either and Kelly wasn't feeling good Saturday so he wasn't able to be there.  Lucky for us there was Shawn, aka "Shawnky".  Shawn goes to church with us and he is Josie's uncle so Cohen knows him very well and she is always laughing at "Shawnky".  He was more than happy to step in and actually entertained like no other could!  We joked that he had been practicing because his baton tosses were impressive!  It was very fun to watch and we all got a kick out of it.

Alan & Shawn showing off their "moves"

Holding up their trophies

So proud of my sweet Cohen!

End of the Year Comparison

Cohen wasn't feeling well last week  until about Thursday.  Thursday was everyone in the county's official last day of school but she was finished on Wednesday.  I wanted to get an end of the year photo of her to compare to the one we took on the first day of school so I took these on Thursday...close enough :)

                              First Day of School                                      Last Day of School

Hooray for summer!!

Preschool Graduation

My baby girl graduated from First Friends preschool tonight.  What an emotional night its been!  I knew it was coming, and I've dreaded it like the plague.  I'm an emotional person anyway and when it comes to my kids growing up it is so much worse.  Cohen has been going to First Friends since she was 2.  She even went for a couple of months to the 2 year old class before going back to do the class for the whole year.  It is our church's preschool and it has been awesome for her.  Not only that, but I taught there 2 years including teaching Cohen in the 3 year old class.  I watched not only my own baby graduate but so many others that I taught.  I actually held it together pretty well at the graduation.  Its now that I'm home, sitting by myself with so much time to think that I get teary eyed.  That combined with the fact that Mrs. Mary, the director, is retiring.  Mary is one of my favorite people ever and I am going to miss her so much.  Luckily we have made a promise to get together often and I will see her at church.  Did I mention I hate change??!
So anyway, skipping my sob story, Cohen had graduation tonight and I was so proud of her.  Above is her preschool picture from this year.  I was honored to be able to do pictures for the preschool and getting to take her cap & gown picture was special.  I take plenty of pictures of her but I just love this one.  I can so see her as an 18 year old graduating high school and I know the years will fly by fast enough.
Cohen had started to feel bad yesterday and I actually kept her home from school today hoping that extra rest would make her feel better.  She has had no energy and just complained with stomach pains so I had almost decided to go to graduation myself but not take her.  She did come to life and decide she wanted to go so we went on.  I had told her that she could sit with us and watch if she wanted but Kelly thought she would be fine once we got there and she did great!  They sang several songs that they had sang all year.  It was precious, of course.  When it was time to get their "diplomas", I had to laugh because when Aunt Sara called Cohen's name she just sat in her chair and didn't get up to get it.  She waited for Sara to bring it to her.  I think she must have failed to practice that but we got a good laugh out of it so that was nice :)  At the end we watched a slideshow which can always bring a few tears.  It was a cute graduation and I'm so proud of my Coco!
Tomorrow she has her last day of school and an end of the year picnic.  I hope I can continue to hold it together for one more day...in public at least :)

Here are a few of their group pictures that I took on picture day.

Class of 2013

Graduation Ceremony 

I tried to get the whole group but it left Ayden out :(

Getting her diploma...staying seated of course

Cohen & Aunt (Mrs.) Sara

 Sara predicted what each child might be when they grew up and both Cohen and her friend Rylie were predicted to be news casters.  These 2 have been together in preschool since the beginning...2 year olds.

Cohen & Bebe

Cohen & Suggie

Its official :)

I had to include one of Kate...to think she could start in the fall...not happening. #thismamacouldn'ttakeit

Happy Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was a nice, relaxing day.  Cohen and I went to church while Kelly kept Kate at home.  She is suffering from a terrible diaper rash and we are trying everything to clear it up.  After church we had my family over to grill out for my mama.   It was nice to be able to eat out on the porch even though the wind actually made it chilly for us.  (Dear summer, please get here fast!)   The afternoon warmed up so I went for a nice run.  We had dinner with Kelly's family which was a great way to end the day.
After lunch Cohen was so excited for me to open my presents.  She and Kelly had wrapped them together and she had drew on the paper for me.  She had decided that she wanted to take pictures with my camera, which she loves doing.  It covers her whole face so it is so funny to watch her.  After she took several of me, Kelly, and Mama, she decided she would take some of me opening my gifts.  It was precious to watch and we just loved watching her.  I will have a great helper one of these days!  They had wrapped a cute outfit from my favorite store, J Crew, complete with a cute purse.  I loved it!  They also had a wicker sideboard for our porch but that couldn't be wrapped :)   I loved every single thing, but most of all I love being the Mama to my 2 girls.  Being a mother is such a blessing.  It definitely is one of the most challenging and rewarding things.  I know I often struggle with patience and how to handle certain situations and discipline, but at the end of the day it is all worth it and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I love my girls more than anything.
I also have to say I am blessed with the best Mom too!  She is the best there is and I love her to pieces!

Cohen & I going to church

Me & Paula with the best Mama around

Kelly said lets have a sassy or funny picture...this is what he got.  I think Mama is scared of us.

My shirt from Kate...as Cohen told me.  She was the photographer on this one!

The matching purse from Cohen...who had to take another picture of this.

We'll call this the funny picture of Kelly, Sara, and Lydia and it most certainly was...

Happy Birthday Brooke!

Saturday we celebrated Brooke's birthday.  Cohen and Brooke have been friends for a few years now and Cohen loves her!  Brooke went to kindergarten this year and Cohen has told me how she misses seeing Brooke at school.  The party was at the horse barn at Camp Toccoa and all the girls got to ride a horse.  They were all super excited about this and had so much fun.  It was so cute watching them too.  They were led on the horse through an obstacle course to earn points and then they got to do an egg/spoon race on the horse.  It was such a neat thing to do for a party.  Kate loved seeing the horses.  She is such an animal lover.
After the horse rides the kids had snacks and cake inside the barn and watched Brooke open her presents.  Then they were able to brush a horse and do some grooming things.  My favorite thing was when they were letting the kids pick the dirt from the horses' hoof.  Cohen was soooo excited until they lifted up the hoof and picked out a huge clump of grass and dirt.  She went from saying "this is so exciting", to "ewww I didn't know they were that dirty."  We all just laughed at her.
While the big girls were grooming the horse, Kate was having a ball watching one of the horses in its stall.  Kelly would hold her up and call the horse over, the horse would stick its nose out and Kate would try to pet the horse and just belly laugh.  She was amazed at the big horses and just loved them.  I think we need another zoo trip soon so she can see all the animals.  She loves them.  We have the most fun with her animal books at home so seeing the big horse up close and personal was a lot of fun for her.  The girls really enjoyed it all.  It was such a cute and fun party for everybody.

Getting their riding helmets on

Cohen & Josie are all ready!

Carrying the egg on the spoon 

Cohen & Brooke

Kate thought she was just as big as the other girls

Laughing at "Dixie" the horse

Waiting on the "hossie"