The Last. The Baby.



Tomorrow morning, my last little baby begins Kindergarten.  If you are a long time blog follower (PS. I'm still grateful you are even still checking this site), you may remember I was an emotional wreck (understatement) when my other children began Kindergarten.  Especially, my Tink. 

Tonight, right now... I am not the least bit upset.  Which is CRAZY, right?! 

 

The Last Baby is when it gets really realz.  When you should be losing your mommy mind.  I should be confused, lost, sad... NOW I'm a mom, without any babies.
Instead, I am cool... calm... totally collected.
I can't promise I won't choke up a bit at drop off.  It's totally possible I may spontaneously do a quick sneak out pre-ugly public cry exit.  Maybe I'm in some sort of denial.  But I really doubt it.
You see... since the moment Coco realized she was The Baby: she has crawled, walked, ran, swam, chased, jump. spun, spoke, yelled after her older siblings.  She is the tasmanian devil of big-kid envy. (The use of the word Devil used with complete affection.) Coco wants so much to be Just Like Tink.  Or read big books Just Like The Kid. 
There is a "but WHY did I have to be the baby....?" whine on a near daily basis for the past couple years. "WHY did you grow me last?" "Why can't I be big girl clothes??" "WHY can't I be taller?" and mostly... "Why can't I go to school ALL day too?"
Well Baby, now you can.
As a mother, it's pretty hard to be sad over something your child has wanted for so long.  Starting Kindergarten is going to make Coco the most happy little girl ever. She can go to PE! She can have a lunch box! She can learn to read! Fi-na-leeeeeeee.
(Plus Mommy has some plans to enjoy more yoga, maybe get nuts and clean her home, possible take a nap, grow some WBCs, get real crazy and sit in a moment of pure nokidfighting silence...)

Dear Coco-
I love you a million 17 59 100 59 times and more.  I know you will make so many friends with your bright-Daddy-cheerfullness.  Smile full. Laugh loud.  Run Fast. And above all, learn about this big amazing world, which is just waiting for you to fill it.  Fly high baby bird.  This nest was never big enough for you.

Typical Last Child...

the poor baby of the family.

You have never had a photo shoot, devoted solely to yourself.

After five birthdays, you've had only two invitations made.

All of the Firsts in our home, have already been accomplished.

You've never had your own bedroom, you even share a bed.

You can't even get your birthday blog, on your actual birthday...

 

But you are not ignored.
You would never allow that to happen, not even for a moment.
You are utterly and completely exhausting. 
You are the loud, bright, attention stealing Grand Finale of the most grand firework show.  Born with the absolute certainty that we 'saved the best for last'.

My Coco is a bundle of enthusiastic giggles, drama-program expressions and bedazzled Jazz Hands.  She absorbs the energy from every room, she chases falling stars and attacks each day with Christmas Morning excitement. 

Coco is friendly, kind and without prejudice as she chooses her new friends.  I picture a young Coach, so much like his baby girl.  Happily waving, skipping with anticipation for each new activity.. running to 'catch-up' to their older siblings. Coco/Coach eagerly wants to be just as fast as her sister, just as tall as her brother, with just as many friends and just as many stories at dinner.  And like her father, she is genuinely sympathetic towards each family member.  She craves all our love and equally returns our affection.  She worries if we are injured, she cheers as we perform, she races to hold our hands and searches the crowd for each of our smiles.

But unlike her father, Coco is quick with her little competitive temper.  Quick to stomp a foot or throw a toy, if she feels ignored or unfairly (according to her) disciplined.  Coco wants everything RIGHT NOW.
At five years old, I'm afraid she has nearly defeated me.  Her will is strong, her spirit is stubborn and her confidence is unwavering. She has made it clear that no one will ever put this baby in a corner.

When she slows, for just a moment, just long enough to capture a quick picture or to hug her tightly, or to catch her sleeping so deeply.... you are struck by her beauty.  Beneath the blur of rhinestones and sass, hides the most adorably freckled nose.  Coco's crazy chocolate brown curls float around her, as her full snow white lips, curl easily into the sneakiest smile.. And her Kaleidoscope eyes, change according to her mood or environment. Even her eyes are too spirited to settle on just one color.

To My Baby-
There have been many days, when you have completely spent your mother.  Often weeks have passed where you have won more days than I have.  Raising you will likely be the death of me... But I accept the challenge.  The walls of our home echo with your joy.  You are the sweetest treat in our chocolate box called life. You make us more. I was missing you.. before I met you.
Happy Fifth Birthday, my bouncing baby girl.
You win, I love you a bajillion ka-zillion times best.

Today

I told Coco the truth about what nipples are used for.
Why??
I'm just soooo tired of making up stories for kids.. she caught me at a weak moment... we're around new moms with new babies.. she asks things like this ALL the time... so I just told her. 
Milk, Babies, moms, etc.
I immediately regretted the honesty. 
One question, lead to a billion questions.
Which turned into half-truths: about all milk drying on First birthdays and what not... (Hopefully, she doesn't happen upon a mother nursing a 4 yr old...)
I was also myself struck mid-conversation that there is no age appropriate adorable word for 'nipples' like 'pee pees' or 'wee wees'.
(And NO: General, Coach and Warhol, that was NOT an open invitation to list alternative words for nipples, so just stop your mind from working that track...)
Long Story Short.
I told Coco the truth today about nipples.
So Coach, expect a phone call this week from one of her teachers... Even though we followed The Talk with a lengthy Talk on 'What happens in our house doesn't need to be spoke of at school'.. I'm certain we're still going to get a call.
Because we're THOSE parents.
Or at least, I am..

She's broken me.

The End of The World

This week, in our small town, were pre-school screenings.  Moms everywhere were complaining about their babies being grown.  Any one who has followed this blog, knows that I HATE my babies aging. Except, with one baby, I could not be more ready to ship her off to full day Kindergarten. 

And this long winter has only confirmed that.

I've joked that Coach and I have made:

1.) A paper Christmas chain

2.) Have set alarms set on all of our phones.

3.) Have commissioned wall-sized chalk board calenders, desk calenders, oven timers and string reminders tied to fingers...

All devoted to Coco's first day of school in August.  Because this little girl (while crazy beautiful) is utterly and completely exhausting.  Below is just a teeny example of what her energy level is like on any given morning, in our home.

And the spinning: perfectly depicts her tornado like presence in life.

 

 

Obviously, that was a Coco original recording.
If you like her song,
I probably have 118 more videos like that on my phone... (not by my choice)

Side Note: I honestly have no idea who's girlish laugh is in the background.  Either Tink or The Kid (I'm leaning towards The Kid).  We may need to discuss him laughing less around future girlfriends..

Coco. Age 4rs 8 mos

I am separately giving each of my children a "Getting to Know You Quiz". To remember them exactly as they are today. January 2014.

(Answers typed exactly as she said them.)

1. What is your favorite movie? Little Mermaid (She has never asked to watch this movie... Ever.)
2. What is your favorite TV show? Doc McStuffins
3. What is your favorite color? Purple
4. Who is your favorite star? Ke$ha
5. What is your favorite food? Mac and Cheese
6. What is your favorite thing that we do together? Snuggling
7. What do you wish we could do more? I wish we went to Chili's.
8. What is your favorite toy? Pop Star Barbie from Santa (from 2 years ago..)
9. What is your favorite video game? Minecraft
10. Who are your best friends right now? Avery, Joe P and Brooke
11. What do you like about them? Because they like ME! (makes sense..)
12. What kind of music do you like to listen to? I Came in like a Wrecking Ball (Never has there been a more tru statement regarding Coco's personality..)
13. Do you like hot weather or cold weather? Hot weather, like summer! Because I like summer dresses.
14. What do you like to do more than anything? Play Games
15. What is your favorite book? Fancy Nancy
16. Is there anything that Mom has done to disappoint you? Not letting me play on your phone.
17. Is there anything that you’ve wanted to ask Mom? Where did you buy that shirt?? (The answer was: Target... and I felt like she was judging me a little bit.)
18. What was your Favorite Vacation? FLORIDA!
19. Who is your favorite brother or sister? and Why? My broda. Because he likes to snuggle.
20. What do you wish Dad would do for you? Give me a piggy back ride.

An Elf Sex Change.

After two years of constant "Why can't we have a girl Elf??" complaints, we decided to give our boy Elf a lil Sex Change.  When I presented the idea to Coach, he barely reacted with surprise and simply responded "We're doing WHAT with the Elf??"

We're performing a Sex Change.

Because nothing actually changed on our Elf (I'm certainly not shelling out the cash to purchase a whole new Elf kit)... I decided what we needed was a back story.  First the girls woke up to a note on the kitchen table, which read:

 

Oh... Elves can't write or read good... funny little uneducated elves...
See, it makes sense the Elf looks the same, because they are brother and sister.  Get it?!  Next, I decided to name the Elf myself.  I thought both names should start with an F.  And because this house is Tinkerbell crazy, I choose 'FiFibell' as the new name.
I asked Coach: What do you think of FiFibell?  Is it too much or just right?

Coach: Doesn't matter to me... I'm still just gonna call it The Elf.

Coach is fun and festive.
Next, I set the scene.
I decided the little sister would want to arrive with more flair than her very boring big brother.  I dressed her in the new skirt, posed her sweetly, threw marshmallows every where and sprinkled glitter all over her.

I became nervous this was not convincing.  I worried this idea could blow up in my face and actually cause the girls to realize this whole elf thing is a scam.  I started questioning Coach "Is this enough?  Should she wear a Barbie tank top?  What else can we do??"

Coach pretty much ignored me.
Me: You're really not helping at all?  You could at least offer a suggestion or pretend to listen as I bounce ideas off you...

Coach: I don't know what to tell you!  I've never given a doll a sex change before!

Me: Me either!
(pause)
Me: Well... I guess that's not true.  I once cut off all my Barbie's hair to try and turn her into a Ken doll.  It didn't really work.

Remembering that Ken mistake did nothing to help my anxiety.

It went perfectly!
We smiled and played dumb.  Pretending to be just as excited and surprised as the girls.  (well... Coach at least raised his eyebrows a couple times..) I'm not sure why I worried.  We live in a fairly liberal and LGBT sympathetic home.  Our children are cool with change.  No biggie.
I figure, I'll place FiFibell in a few overly girlie situations over the next couple nights.  And then ease into ignoring her, just as much as her big brother.
Holiday cheer and all that...

School pictures.

Every Fall, we have lovely family pictures taken.

Because of that..

I'm not very concerned with school pictures.  Sure.. I take an extra minute to check their hair but for the most part, I let the kids wear regular clothes, of their choice.  I hope they match, I hope they are not stained.. otherwise, I'm not too involved.

The Kid and Tink, are not an issue.  They wear essentially the same style every day.  Tink left in a regular blue striped shirt and her regular Tink hair..

But then, there's her sister.

Coco put on a fashion show for Aunt Flag Girl and I. We carefully vetoed her first two choices (mostly because of the weather, she picked tank tops more suitable for July...) then she came out with her announced "best one.."

It was a keeper.

Despite what her Grammy thought, I really am unconcerned with Coco wearing a skull & bone t-shirt entitled "Trouble".

Let's get realz..

No one in that Grade School is going to fail to notice Coco is pure Trouble.  It seems like the most logical choice to be printed in hundreds of year books.

Check Yes... or No???

Apparently, there is a new tradition amongst high school kids, to ask their dates to accompany them to dances in an unique manner.  Jumbo Joe and his girlfriend The Cute Girl, have been dating for some time and it was VERY much assumed they were already promised to attend the Homecoming Dance with each other... but that didn't stop Jumbo Joe from seeking out help to plan the perfect 'proposal'.

 

First: Little Tink hand wrote the invitation, in school colors (Green and White).  Tink was VERY nuuuurvouuusss about giving The Cute Girl the option to say 'No'.  (Tink must be concerned her big cousin is dating above his pay scale.)

Coco and I, then worked on creating the perfect envelope. (The picture is Coco's drawing of what The Cute Girl will look like in a fancy homecoming dress.)

I then pulled Coco out of Pre-K (Yes. You heard that correctly, I took my child out of school for a dance proposal...)  She geared up with one white rose, decorated with a Sweet Shop Homecoming sucker.

With the help of a very game and excited principal and the permission of The Teacher, Coco made her way up the stairs and down the hall to The Cute Girl.

She entered the classroom (cute as can be)

 And delivered the special envelope...

And despite Tink's concerns...
She said YES!
And the classroom 'awed...' in unison.

Beyond adorable.
One thousand times cuter than my wedding proposal..
(And Coco was returned to school, after missing only 17 total minutes of learning. No worries.)

The Dinner Table.

We're all calmly eating.  The table is quiet and full of food.  All of a sudden, Coco flings her body back into her chair.  She seems genuinely upset and flips both hands onto the back of her head. 

She loudly exclaims: When am I going to DIE??!

 

The Kid loses it: WHAT?!  WHAT did she say?!

(The Kid is drama.)

 

Me: Coco, why did you say that?  You're not going to die for a very very long time.

Coco is now bending over, rubbing her face.

Tink could care less, she continues to eat.

 

Coach: Coco, what's going on?

 

Coco: When am I going to DIE??!

 

The Kid: Why does she keep saying THAT? What's wrong with her?!

 

Me: Coco, why are you asking about dying?

 

Coco (super dramatically): Because my life is sooo boring!  This is all berry boring here.  When am I going to die from everything boring??

 

Me (eye rolling to Coach): Really??  She's already so bored, she could die??  I can't handle her.

Tink knowingly giggles and nods.

My Girls like to Pose.

In addition to the Children's Yoga class, offered at the sTudio (Thursdays 5:00-5:45pm) we are now very excited to have an instructor teaching a Children's Hip Hop dance class (Tuesdays 5:00-5:45pm).  My girls were beyond hyper to get to Hip Hop yesterday. 

They ran right into the house after school and jumped into a couple hand-me-down dance outfits. (which seem a wee bit snug...) We arrived to the sTudio early, to snap a couple New to Dance Class Pics.  I wasn't too thrilled with Tink's selfie style...

 

What's happening with her lips?? 

Though, these could almost be a couple pics of me and Flag Girl, around 11:52pm on Relay Dance Night...

Oh little Tink... Stop growing up.

"Hey Coco...

.. go throw some shoes on and we'll take a quick walk around the block.."

Coco: "Ok. I'm ready..."

And that, is what we live with all day.

Every Day.

She. Is. Exhausting.

 

Aunt Jackie, spent this morning with Coco.  She texted me this exchange between her and her niece:

 

Jackie: Lil Gipper, don't color on the table.

 

Coco: I color on my table at home but I won't color on your table because I don't want you to be mad at me.

 

Jackie: Do you want your mom to be mad at home...?

 

Coco: Yeah... because she's my mom.  I like the way her face is when she's mad.

 

My response:

I hope she likes it... She sees my mad face plenty!

 

 

Some of the Summer Activites Keeping me so Busy:

Once again, I was the teacher in the Art room at Summer Bible School.  Always a busy week but lots of fun for the kids!  I got a few pictures on the last day.

Coco and St. Patrick (currently they plan to marry each other and I would be totally fine with that.) 

Unfortunately, they broke up while playing on our yard last week.  St. Patrick stormed off, arms crossed and yelled "Now.... I will NEVER marry you, now!"

Two days later, they were back together. Looks like they're gonna be 'that' couple in High school.

 

Our new Brave Tinkerbell.
She hand-raised volunteered in front of a VERY full room to compete during a few games.  Marched over and chose Tom to be her partner.  She was sorta miffed they didn't win... (I don't know, maybe Tom could have leaned in more...)
But it looks like our little blue-eyed girl likes a little healthy competition in front of a crowd, like her daddy.

Sistas...

Tink and her buddy Flower.
With the cutest freckles ever.

Another great year at Bible School.
Thanks Bouchers.  The kids love it.

Misunderstanding.

Sunday, the Priest from our church retired.  We attended his last Mass.  Yesterday, The Kid and I were discussing his future, while the girls played around us.

The Kid: So where is Father going?

Me: He is moving to Chicago.

The Kid: With his daughter that lives there?

Me: Yes.  And I'm sure he will travel.

The Kid: And we are getting a new Father?  I wonder what he'll be like.  How old is he?

Me: I haven't heard.  I don't really know anything about him.  I hope, he is as good with all you kids, as Father was.

Just then, Coco walks up to me with her faced crinkled and crushed.  Big tears in her eyes, lip out, chin shaking...
Me: What's wrong?!  What happened?

Coco: Mom, I don't want a new Daddy!  I don't want my Dad to move to Chicago.... I want to keep my father! (big dripping tears...)

Me: Hun!  Not OUR Daddy!  Your Daddy is not moving to Chicago!  The Father from the church is moving.  Father Rickey!  Not our daddy.

Now... take a moment and re-read The Kid and I's conversation. Ouch.  Poor Coco.  Eavesdropping can be dangerous!

My Baby is Four

On Saturday, my baby turned Four. 

And while our life has been in a constant whirlwind of events, activities and frenzied schedules... I've been quietly contemplating of her birthday post.  Because honestly, there are no words to describe my Coco.  She is beyond the written word.

Obviously, the entire blog population is familiar with Coco's more obvious character traits... She is 'full of everything'.  Full of spunk, glitter and glam.  She is full of volume, of expression and flair. 



She is a walking talking acting class muse. 
Coco smiles large.  She'll wink you happy or glare you uncomfortable.  She may run and leap into your arms or blatantly ignore you to suit her fancy.  She'll knock out her hip or dramatically speak with her hands to emphasize her point and engage your attention. 

Coco looks exactly as I had dreamed her.  Like a smaller version of myself... if perhaps, a story book fairy had waved her wand and made each of my traits more sparkly, more exceptional and more captivating.

Because her personality is larger than life, it is easy to miss that Coco is actually very dainty.  Though beyond her petite legs and adorable face, there is nothing small about her.  She is completely unabashed and unapologetic.  She demands the attention at every occasion and craves a crowd of admirers.  She is the self-appointed lead singer of her solo rock band.

 

 

Without question, Coco's most endearing quality, is inherited from her Daddy.  Coco loves equally with fierce unwavering loyalty.  She enters a room with an infectious bright light and shines that light around her.  While she demands attention, she will also pay that attention back to you.  Every person is her Favorite.  Each of us, credit her for lifting our spirits and warming our insides with her Coco-goodness.

 

Coco, very well may be the death of me.  She is trying my patience, with the conviction of a teenager.  Outfit choosing, hair brushing, clothes shopping have already become activities I dread.  I am completely missing the cheer leading gene, while Coco's is a mutated super gene, completely foreign to me.  She has declared pig tails 'over and done'.   She would gladly prance to the local grocery on a Tuesday afternoon, in full Gypsy dress attire.  There will never be too much sparkle or two many sequence.  If Tink is my carefree, dancing to her own bongo drummer hippie chick... Coco is a 1957 Georgia Belle Debutant.

 

If I were to utter that infamous mommy line "If so-n-so jumped off a cliff, would you REALLY jump off to follow her..??" Coco would respond without a blink of hesitation "No because I would have jumped first."
Coco may be my last baby but she will never come in last again.  She will be noticed.  She will not be forgotten.  And that's just fine by me.

My Sweet Coco-
Never lose your sequenced flair.
Twirl a random Gypsy skirt, anytime you please.
Remain completely indescribable.
Always stay as golden as your daddy and as strong as your mother. You are the best thing, to ever result from my stubborn streak.
All my love-

Progress Report.

Coco has an adorable first year teacher, for her Pre-K class.  This week, Coco received her progress report.  Very nicely organized, typed with detailed points, including:

 

* Coco shows eagerness to learn by asking many topic-related questions and participating in activities on a regular basis.

 

* She really enjoys the musical/movement part of our day and is very active participant.  She independently recites our rhymes and songs randomly through out the day!!

-------------------------------

Longtime Mom Translation:

 

*Coco is constantly asking the most annoying questions ALL DAY LONG.  Even while I am trying to assist other students, Coco is totally up in my business.

 

* She randomly bursts into song throughout the day, most of the time we can barely decipher which rock lyrics she is blurting out, desperately sucking all of the attention out of the room.

 

Just Hangin in the Kitchen,

around the lunch table.

Coco: ....because Joe P is my boyfriend and when we get married we...

Coach: What??

Me: Remember, you can not get married for a long time... How old did I tell you and Joe P, you have to be to get married?

Coco: Ugh... when we're 25.  And then, we will get married (she smiles big at me) and then, mommy will be the mostest proud of me ever!!

Me: Ummm... other things will make me the most proud ever, like graduating from high school, going to college, learning to read and

Coco: And getting married, to Joe P.

Me to Coach: I don't know... maybe my daughters should see me accomplish something other than just being your wife...

My Home,
setting back the feminist movement by decades.

The Rock Concert:

As previously mentioned, Chili D and The Teacher have an acoustic band.. and By Far their biggest fan, is little Coco.  Obviously, Coco is unable to follow her band to each and every location (which does not amuse her).  When the band does play in an appropriate venue, it is the biggest night of her young life.

This weekend, we were asked to watched The Mrs and The General's girls, while they lived it up Limo Bus Style.  I said sure... but they needed to pack their sparkle cuz we were headed to a Rock Concert.  The excitement was palpable.

 

 (Rock Out)

 

Tink and Kenna were equally thrilled to listen to the band, though they preferred a more dignified and reserved audience behavior. Neither dignified nor reserved, were words used to describe Laina and Coco.

They were dancing queens, who eventually took to the microphone and asked the crowd to tip them for their awesome dance moves. 

Yes.  They begged people to tip them cash to dance..

Totally their idea.

 (Please notice the hair flipping)

After awhile (and a few looks from less tolerant spectators) we decided it was time to retire early with the girls... The dancers were not thrilled to leave before the end of the concert... but they were hard core psyched over their tips.

Coach commented on the drive home, that these two must have gotten their drama from their mothers.
Uh yeh... cuz NO ONE on their Fathers' side of the family enjoys sucking the attention out of a room. 
Riiiiighhht...

New and Stylish: Part 1

Sunday, completely out of the blue, Tink told me: "I need a new and stylish hair cut.  EVERYbody has new and stylish hair!  I want stylish hair like Owl or Ella Bella.  My hair is not new and stylish...humpf."

(side note: no idea where 'stylish' came from)

When Tink sets her mind to something, two things happen: First, Tink usually gets her way, like NOW.  Second, Coco needs whatever Tink wanted and Coco needs that, like yesterday.

We called "Da Gwirls" and made hair appointments.  As you are aware: Coco is a Rock Star.  And Rock Star's do not like cutesie pony tails.  No way.  As a result, our current hair brushing and/or styling was a nightmare. 

I asked her stylist (Angie) to "think young 1950's Bob, with a little Funk mixed with a little Rock Star."

The Before pics:

 

The After Pics:
Please notice the Hand on Hip, new haircut attitude.

 

Now, I had made a very healthy lunch... but after the Rock Star Hair Reveal, Daddy decided we needed to take Coco to Turtles for lunch.  (Coach is always so sweet, thinking of the Coco ... before his stomach.)

I adore her hair!  And obviously, Coco has more sass and spunk in the After Pictures.  Which is a relief, because Coco really needed more sass and spunk...

Later this evening: Tink's Cut.