She's S-I-X ... 6!

Here's my baby ...

turning six. Yes, six. It doesn't seem possible, and I wouldn't believe it if it weren't for the diaper changing, potty training, preschool drop offs and first days of school that got us here.

The one thing she REALLY wanted for her birthday was an iPod. Had to be pink. Had to be small. Had to have music (Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez to be exact). Music, that upon receipt of the iPod, has played nonstop since Saturday's party. And even when she's at school and Selena's voice isn't filling the living room, I hum the tunes in the dj's absence.

(The party after the party.)
Turning six also scored her a new, "big bike." Translation ... it has no training wheels. Here's hoping it's the kick in the rear we all need to help her learn to ride on her own. She was thrilled with the bike, and willing to give it a go.

After a few laps up and down the sidewalk on the new bike and she had to get dolled up to take her birthday calls. She's got a long list of people who love her and called to wish her a great birthday. After all, it's hard being this fancy when you're six.

Sunday baseball

We headed to Great American Ballpark today to take in a game on a beautiful afternoon. It was Trace and Alysse's first visit to the park. Tonight at dinner, Trace said he was going to have dreams about the baseball game ...obviously he enjoyed himself.

First day, preschool edition

There was much joking which led up to the start of preschool for Alivia, Trace and Alysse.

Laughs that Alivia could probably teach the class she was set to begin. Jabs that we'll owe Trace and Alysse's teacher a corvette or summer home as an appropriate Christmas gift for having survived the two of them that long. And the kids' own joke that I was going to drop everyone off and head to McDonald's for a relaxing coffee and snack as they had seen a mother do in a commercial for the fast food chain.

Yeah, that one hit a nerve with Trace every time the girls would mention it. Even at breakfast Tuesday morning, he asked if I was going to McDonald's without him. It seemed inconceivable to him that IF I was going out for coffee solo, it WOULDN'T be at McDonald's.

Alivia was gung ho to get back to school. She's spent the last few weeks counting down the days until the start of a new school year. She was eager and enthusiastic to walk through the classroom door.

Alysse has been ready to start school for forever, it seems. Given the chance, she would have joined Alivia in her class last year and not looked back. She, too, had been keeping track of "how many more days" and kept her Playdoh stash under tight watch until the big day.

And Trace. Oh, Trace ... he was the big question mark. He approached the going-to-school thing with a take-it-or-leave it attitude. He hadn't expressed hesitation about going; but, aside from the Spiderman backpack purchased in preparation, he hadn't shown much excitement either. The possibility of missing a trip to McDonald's proved a larger issue for him than anything school related.

So, when their first day came, they went. All of them. Not a tear, nary a whine. All ready, willing and happy. Each one came home more excited about what they had done at school than the next. And we found ourselves back to counting down the days until Thursday when they get to return. Maybe then I'll go to McDonald's for a coffee.

Her kinda party

Jason's dad (aka Buzz), a fair board director for the Allen County Fair, typically gets a meet and greet pass for performers entertaining at the fair's concerts. Over the years, he has generously given away his rights to meet Martina McBride and Montgomery Gentry, among others.

When I asked for his pass to Saturday night's meet and greet with Jason Aldean, I suspect everyone assumed my request stemmed from a desire to check out Aldean's Wranglers up close.

While there's no doubting Wrangler has a reason for promoting their jeans via the country music star's rear, my days of drooling over stars' behinds are long gone. Perhaps age teaches you to appreciate talent over rear ends.

In actuality, the impetus behind my interest was in giving the pass to the only person I'll ever know who could sing the star's hit "Johnny Cash" before she was two. The toddler who asked "What's a Pall Mall?". The kid who can sing along with any one of his songs that comes on the radio.

And, as a mom, there are some things I just know. Like when your father-in-law bestows said pass upon you, you lay low; stick to your guns; and wait to see a smile on a kid's face bigger than even you can imagine.

Alivia's brush with country music stardom put her in the clouds. Apparently she was not so starstruck as to not be able to answer his questions as to what her name is and how old she is. However, the stickered pass she wore was moved from concert clothes to pajamas, and on and off again several times before being retired to the hat bearing the Jason Aldean autograph she scored. Days later she still grins and giggles when talking about her encounter.

While country music's stars come and go, I'm willing to bet Alivia will stay a Jason Aldean fan for the long haul. He'll always be Johnny Cash to her. And, for the record, a platinum artist willing to squat down to have his picture taken with a four-year-old is far sexier than anything Wrangler can slap on his ass.

First day, first grade

A little over seven hours ... that's how long I was without my baby today. Does first grade need to take so much time?

Time that I pined for her (and made homemade cinnamon bread for her). Time that Alivia longed for an Alena altercation (and ended up napping in said missing sister's bed). Time that we watched the clock chew up and spit out until we could go outside in waiting for that big yellow bus to return with her.

All the while, she was having a fantastic time.

The day was rated "super good" by our novice first grader, and there were reports of art class and playgrounds and stories and cafeterias and friends and student planners and buses and administrators ... even the color of their high heels (details, people - details). Her only complaint: there wasn't enough time to eat all of her lunch.

For all the bickering and headbutting we do, I know it all stems from our similarities. We're two of a kind; though, we'd both deny it. And while I talked it up and fake-smile waved as the bus drove away this morning, my heart ached until she returned.

How many days until summer vacation?

*For all my selfish, pitiful whining, I'm well aware we're blessed with a terrific teacher (who, oddly enough, strikingly reminds me of a certain on hiatus fourth grade teacher I know and love) who will teach, nurture and encourage Alena. In the coming weeks, I'll embrace the absence of my first born and recognize it as a learning experience for us both. Until that time, I reserve the right to boohoo.