Jaiden's 2nd grade Christmas program

Ah, yes...the yearly tradition continues.... the ridiculously crowded lunch room, standing room only, with bored, antsy toddlers and pre-schoolers running amok and parents straining to catch a glimpse of their children and snap a few decent photos without capturing someone else's head, arms or video equipment in the shot....

I'm talking about Jaiden's Christmas program at school. As usual, we weren't in the best location for pictures. (I'm not sure Jaiden even spotted us this year.) But it was cute, nonetheless, and I do have a few random shots of weird expressions and open mouths as the kiddies sang their arrangement of holiday songs.

Toothless Thursday... YES, AGAIN!!!!

Well, there you have it! Jaiden lost her other "big" front tooth this week, and now she has that cute little gap smile that kids have around this age!
It's funny how different she looks without those pearly whites! How long does it take for the permanent ones to come in, anyway? Will we still be singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" by springtime?!?!?! ;)

Toothless Thursday!

Ok; I missed posting this grand event on the actual day that Jaiden lost the tooth (Tuesday).... then I missed Wordless Wednesday, so you'll just have to excuse me for throwing in a random "Toothless Thursday" today! ;)

BTW -- Jaiden has lost two teeth already, but this is the first one to go on the top... so she is now sporting quite a nice gap! The one next to it is threatening to make its escape soon as well! (She may be singing "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" this year!)

More of Jaiden, the Second Grader

Just a few pictures of Jaiden in her classroom and with her second-grade teacher!

Welcome to 2nd Grade!

It's official. My baby is now in second grade!
"All grown up" with her new haircut, Jaiden excitedly made her way to her new classroom, found her desk and showed me around, assuring me that she knew what to do and that school this year would be fun.


"Fun for whom?" I wondered... every mom knows the bitter-sweet tug on the heartstrings as you cheer for your child as she gets bigger, learns more, accomplishes things and grows into the person she is... while at the same time you're reminiscing about fuzzy footie pajamas and cuddle time and missing the little person she was. *sigh
Ah, yes; it's a dilemma, but I swallow a tear, blow a kiss and wish her a very good first day of second grade. And I silently watch my daughter melt into her surroundings... embracing the words, the letters, the colors, the kids, the conversations, the laughter and the whirlwind of school... and of life... and of growing up.