Skate Night

This was our second skate night we've attended for the girls school. What a fun time! Vern* and I love to join in with the kids and skate too. It seriously takes me back to the 80's. Especially when they play Michael Jackson's Thriller. Yeah . . . Good times.

This year, Natalie was so excited to go because she knew Emma would be there. When they saw each other they screamed and gave each other a huge hug. It was so cute. I am so glad Natalie has found such a sweet friend. She has had a bit of a hard time this year feeling comfortable and lasting all day at school. Now she is more confident and happy to go to school. There's probably several reasons for this, but I'm pretty sure little Emma is one of them. They're pretty cute little buddies and always together when I visit Natalie at school.
And of course there's Sarah and Monica - best friends since Kindergarten. I'm so grateful my girls have such great friends! Below, Mallory, is another one of Sarah's friends I just love. She is such a sweetheart with Angela and her mom is Sarah's piano teacher who we think is awesome. Having good friends is such a blessing and something I constantly pray for, for my girls.

Being silly in the kiddie area.

Okay, this year on skate night - Vern* and I got a bit of a wake up call.

Our little Sarah is growing up. And we are not the only ones who think she is a cutie.

The M.C. at the rink announces dedications all night and hands out little treats and flowers to those willing to pay up. Most of these, I assumed, were prepubescent 6th graders. I mostly ignored all the "Beth, Josh says he thinks you are awesome and has a rose for you." Until I heard, "Logan, Sarah P wants to dedicate this rose and next song to you." Vern* and I teased Sarah. Then we heard, "Correction, Logan has a rose for Sarah P." We still teased not really thinking it was her. Until her friends started telling her it was for her.

What???

A few minutes later she got some candy hearts from Logan.

What the heck??

Vern* and I worked hard not to make a big deal out of it or make Sarah feel embarrassed, but inside we were both thinking, "Really? Already this is happening?"

She was cute about it and didn't say much. She was happy to get treats and a little flower, which she has kept all this time. When I asked her about Logan she said he was nice, but she didn't know that he liked her. Vern* and I just told her to be nice to him and thank him for the gifts. We were both a little relieved when we heard another dedication from Logan to one other girl. What a funny thing. The ride is just beginning. . .

Pet Store Field Trip

We don't do as many field trips this year, but in January we had one to the pet store and then had lunch together at McDonalds. The kids had a great time playing in the 'playland' outside while the moms talked. Angela loved petting this soft bunny.
What a cute crew.

Angela and Ansley have become good buddies in preschool.

Should I be Worried?

Two days ago, I was "encouraging" (pleading, begging, nagging) Angela to eat her applesauce for lunch.

Angela is allergic to fruits and vegetables.

I've found a few loopholes that might sound dramatic, but they are ways I can sneak fruits and veggies in her cute little body. For example, I found that Angela will eat baby food applesauce because it's not as lumpy as regular applesauce.

Back to the regular story. . .

So it took forever this particular afternoon to get Angela to finish her applesauce. Which she eventually did. When she was just about finished she let me in on a little secret as to why she sometimes acts naughty. (These days - these moments are happening more often!)

She began hitting her head and yelling at someone named Daniel. I laughed and asked what in the world she was talking about. Also, I pointed out that it is not good to hit one's own head.

She told me that Daniel told her to do naughty things. The only Daniel I could think of that she knows is a cute little boy in her primary class. Was that the Daniel she was talking about? Did he tell her to do naughty things in class? She replied, "No, not that Daniel!"

She told me that Daniel was in her head and told her to do naughty things. I took a stab in the dark . . . "Do you mean Daniel from 'Daniel in the Lion's Den'?"

"Yes, he in my head and tell me to be naughty like not to eat my applesauce."

Hmmmm. I think Angela is getting her stories at church all mixed up. Sometimes at church and in family home evening we talk to the kids about how Satan tries to tempt us to make wrong choices. I think maybe she got Daniel confused with Satan? I hope. Otherwise we might have bigger problems. (o:

So now it's kind of a joke in our house when Angela is being naughty, Cedric* and I ask if Daniel told her to do it. She smiles and says yes. I think she likes blaming the naughty choices on someone else.

I think maybe we are not helping our poor confused child.