Dori lost her first tooth in December. It has been wiggling for a while but one weekend she worked it with vigor. It was discovered missing right after eating her chocolate covered donut. I had hope it was her sweet tooth going down in glory. That has not turned out to be the case.

After being reassured that the tooth fairy would reward the loss of a tooth even without the actual tooth as evidence, Dori was ecstatic. She has mapped the path to adulthood; lost teeth, a purse, a wallet and then a car. Only with my input did she add some requirements for education and employment. I told her it is not quit time to be checking out makes and models, but she is growing fast. Her smile is still big and bright but that hole and the middle seems to scream I am not a baby anymore.

Our first tooth fairy visit went rather well. There was an exchanging of notes with Dori drawing a picture of a donut to explain the missing tooth and the tooth fairy leaving her a note letter her know it was OK. Dori’s tooth fairy writes in a circle, like mine did when I was little. Her name is Ruby; she used a red pen and dotted her note with rhinestones. Dori found the note and accompanying money at 1:41 a.m. (I checked to see if it was even close to morning) and the excitement kept us up for at least an hour.

Just as I was getting used to the hole a new tooth started to peek through. Dori thinks we should have a party to welcome her new tooth. I think we should just make sure it stays well brushed since it will be around for awhile.

With new resolutions and a fresh start. This year my goal is to let go of things that are holding me back and get ready for the next chapter God has for our family. We are good but we can be better. I need to be more deliberate about my choices and how I spend my time. To start I am going to get off this computer and get going on my goals for the day.

After learning about life in a light house from the kitchen garden to how the kids would pass the time. we walked around enjoying the panoramic views of San Diego and then explored the world of Cabrillo.

After our adventure at the top of the hill we found gas, which we nearly ran out of, and then a park by the bay. Swinging is always a winner, swinging by the water, over the sand is the trifecta of fun.

Our day ended with the sunset and we headed for home, thankful for our day.

Best moment was Aiden telling the Highway Patrol Officer displaying his car that grandma’s car goes faster than his.

We went to the church carnival where you waited forty-five minutes to hang from bungee cords, jump and flip. You managed long skirts on swings and slides and hay bales. We stayed late because Gage and Daisy come just before we had planned to leave. Even at the late hour your danced across the parking lot singing. I was tired and unenthusiastic yesterday afternoon, but your magic energized me. You are my princess.

The special dress grandma made was waiting. Ready to cheer and impress.

There was the mandatory smiling pancake.

Followed by the mandatory first day of school photo.

And then we were there at the school. Signing her in and saying goodbye. Leaving her in the hands of her smiling Kindergarten teacher.

I admit I was nervous most of the day. Did she have enough for breakfast? Will she get along with the rest of her class? Will the day be too long after two months off?  I know she has been in school since she was two, but somehow this year is different, bigger. We made it through the day and by all accounts it was a success. We celebrated cupcake style.

We are a week away from Kindergarten. To start off elementary school I selected small and sheltered.  We will have one more year at the little school Dori attended last year.  Her class is small and I really like her teacher.  

The summer has flown by. We went to Vegas for a few days and Dori was in her second ballet production. It was so much easier than last year that I am seriously contemplating The Nutcracker this winter. We have spent lots of time with family this summer and the influence of older cousins leaves me fending off requests for big kid Disney.

 Physically Dori is shooting up and we get comments all the time about how tall she is, especially since she is still four. The marks on the wall have her growing more than an inch since June and her toes are starting to dangle off the ends of her summer sandals. Of course I have made sure that there are plenty of replacement shoes for her to start school. No worries that she will be barefoot.

Life is going well.

The weeks leading up to Easter were not all I had planned them to be. I did not get all the fabulous craft I planned done. The house is not purged in a glorious spring cleaning and looking fabulous.  I did not have a thoughtful and reflective Lent; delving deep into the life and nature of my savior as I prepare my heart for the celebration of His resurrection. Instead I have been battling depression, regret and disappointment recently. I have been treading water. Just keeping afloat.

Driving away from the accident Friday gave me a new perspective once again. Other than an aching back and neck I am OK. My car, a larger vehicle that I have been really wishing was smaller and sleeker with better gas mirage, bore the brunt of of a inattentive SUV driver as I was stopped waiting to get off the freeway. I was able to come home to my sick little munchkin give her some TLC, snuggle up beside her and take care of her through the night. I was suddenly so thankful for that big, gas guzzling car.

Easter dawned grey and drizzling. We dressed in our Spring finest (I even made Dori an Easter dress) and made it to early service. Our lovely outdoor brunch was moved indoor. We ate in shifts because people were late. The Easter egg hunt had several hitches. And my brother is still in the hospital. But, it was a good day. It was a great day. My Savior has risen. My sins are forgiven. And I am blessed. My plans may not work out the way I want them too, but God is sovereign and his resources are infinite. He has taken care of us this far and He will continue do so. 

Happy Easter everyone. I hope yours was as blessed as mine.

Easter 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL