Growing Pains

I say pains, but I think it is only painful for me in some ways to realize my little girl is getting so old! Our little Jocelyn is not so little anymore. Here are some pictures of her latest adventures:

Turning 4 years old. She requested a "book" cake with a tea pot on top so we came up with a Beauty & The Beast theme since Belle likes to read and we could place Mrs. Potts with her. She seemed pleased and we had fun with a couple of her friends and their families, my cousin and his family and some good cake and ice cream. She also requested breakfast in bed (we had read about it recently in a Berenstain Bears book and it's a tradition that Jared's family did growing up), and last but not least, we ate "breakfast for dinner" at her request.

Going to Preschool. Jocelyn attends Joy School 2 days a week for 2.5 hours and seems to really enjoy it. She had a rough time the first time it was at a friends' house since I had been the teacher the first month, but this was mostly due to the fact that she was so excited/nervous she tripped running up to the door and had 3 yucky and bleeding scrapes on her knees to start out the adventure. Poor thing...

Getting in a Bike Crash. It's a given that you are going to get in a bike crash growing up, but she still has her training wheels on and just started going too fast down a hill near our house. I think at first she liked the speed and the wind, but Jared and I were both calling out "put on your brakes" and it was too late. I was glad she was wearing her helmet because that really limited the injury, but her front teeth got the bulk of the impact and I think when she whacked them again several nights later jumping on her bed it guaranteed the death of one of the teeth which is now turning brown. Now I just look like a negligent mother who doesn't brush her kids' teeth. We have been on one bike ride since, but she is very hesitant about it.
Taking a Dance Class. Jocelyn is now halfway done with the "pre-ballet" class we signed up for at the local Rec center and seems to love it. She told me last week she met a "best" friend in her class and when I inquired about the name of her friend she said "I don't know, just the girl wearing the blue leotard." I think they were kindred spirits because they had both received their 4 year old booster shots that day and were suffering from sore arms at dance class. Jocelyn loves to show Lillian the dance moves she has learned and runs through the house saying "run, run, run, leap" as does a very ungraceful jump across the floor. Every Friday she is asking the whole day if it is time for dance class yet, and since it isn't until 3:30 in the afternoon, that can make for a very long wait...I'm glad she enjoys it.