It’s been a big couple of weeks for Juliette, with the start of Kindergarten and the onset of SIX. This growing-up thing continues to happen way too fast, but I’m hanging on for dear life and reminding myself to enjoy the ride.
The first day of elementary school arrived with much fanfare, in the form of a new pink backpack and front porch pictures and SO MANY HUGS before we said good bye and left her in the hands of her sweet new teacher.
Three cheers for walking to school! After the 20-minute schlep it took to get to preschool, this is such a treat.
Juliette bravely rocked her first week of school, though all three of us were exceedingly happy when Friday rolled around. And since Friday was her Birthday Eve, there was extra cause for celebration! Her teacher made her a birthday crown and invited me in to read a story to the class at the end of day; Juliette showed me to my chair up front and then proudly introduced me to each and every one of her classmates – nineteen names learned in just five days!
To Market, To Market got lots of giggles from the class, which Juliette quickly shushed so that I could carry on with the story.
I spent Friday night decking out the living room and wrapping gifts; after the busy week we’d had, I was going for a birthday vibe of “quiet-but-festive”, so we spent Saturday morning opening gifts and eating pancakes and sipping hot chocolate.
Juliette asked for “fancy things” for her birthday and was thrilled with these ridiculous sparkly dress-up shoes, which she spent the rest of the morning clomping around in. Pink cowgirl boots, a couple of twirly dresses, and a hot pink glittery headband rounded out her new wardrobe perfectly.
Plus…
I just couldn’t help myself. We saw Aladdin over the summer and Juliette’s had Jasmine-fever ever since.
Juliette had some birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa that was already burning a hole in her pocket, so we went over to our new neighborhood bookstore after breakfast to check out their shelves. I anticipate spending a lot of time in this cozy reading corner in the chilly months to come.
Juliette picked out a Pigeon book and then we hopped next door to Youngstown for a muffin, where the nicest barista ever made Juliette a free hot chocolate with rainbow sprinkles when she heard it was this kid’s birthday.
We spent the afternoon cycling through Juliette’s new clothes and playing balloon volleyball in the living room. We had decided to save the party for the following day and I was exceedingly grateful for these mellow moments with my favorite kid.
Oh, Jules – how I love and loathe to watch you grow older…
Sunday was party day, and again we kept it lower-key – after last year’s bounce house bonanza, I felt like we were due for a smaller gathering just with Juliette’s best buddies. The theme was “campout” and we had planned on a backyard tent and outdoor games, but rain drove us indoors where I laid the table with a trail mix bar and a campfire cake.
And a blanket on the living room floor for our “hot dog picnic”…
The kids were told they’d have to go on a scavenger hunt to find the hidden s’mores supplies, so they made their own headlamps and set off on the trail of clues.
Treasure discovered under the sleeping bags in the bedroom tent!
We gathered round to sing Happy Birthday to Juliette, which she loved (little lady has zero qualms about being the center of attention), then we gave the kiddos the choice of chocolate cake or backyard s’mores (Juliette picked both).
Three plus three makes SIX.
We wrapped up festivities with an impromptu living room dance party, where Juliette twirled to her heart’s content.
We tucked Juliette into her bedroom tent that night and then I happily obliged her request that I lay next to her for awhile. She fell asleep in about 15 seconds flat and then I was left to wallow a bit in those post-birthday blues, where I begrudged the passage of time and felt all those future birthdays barreling toward us like a freight train. I know I’ve gotta let go of this irrational resistance to the future, got to embrace all this growing and changing, because dang if this girl doesn’t get more fun, more joyful, more interesting with each passing year. Juliette Grace, don’t let your weepy ol’ mama hold you back – keep leaning into these new phases and experiences, keep twirling at the speed of light, keep being YOU. At six years old, you are lovelier than ever.
