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Yesterday Niki brought home this award and I was beaming with pride.

I was going to post something else today, but decided to just leave you with this hilarious picture of her. Maybe I’ll post something else soon.

Another daughter-mother activity.

Niki has a ton of broken crayons and I recalled a project I found on the internet that I thought she would enjoy. Little did I know that I would love it as much as she does. When amsister saw what we had done, she insisted on us making more because she wanted to make them too.

First we started out with the broken crayons and some shaped silicon ice cube trays. We broke the ones that wouldn’t fit and filled each one with different colors.

She was so excited about the project even though she didn’t know what was about to happen.

I stuck them in the oven and she freaked out. She said to me, “Mommy! Why are you putting them in there?!”. I replied with, “Don’t worry sweetie. You’ll see when it’s done.”

So she sat in front of the oven and watched. At one point she came over to me and said, “Mommy. I think I’m going to cry”. When I asked her why she said, “Because my crayons are melting!”. I had to assure her that it was okay and that they were supposed to do that. It took her a bit, but she calmed down and watched them go.

I took them out of the oven, let them cool, and popped them out of the trays. Imagine her surprise when she saw these.

I’ve been wanting to do more with Niki and I knew that she would love helping me with cooking and baking. Friday we kicked off with something simple and made blueberry muffins. We cheated and got the boxed one where you just add oil and eggs. Niki helped me pour in all the ingredients and stirred it up. She put the cupcake cups in the tin and let me pour the batter in. We watched it rise and couldn’t wait for it to finish. We both enjoyed two each while they were still warm.

For breakfast today I asked Niki to help me make green eggs and Spam. We collected everything we needed and started the preparations. She took the eggs out of the carton, but she dropped one on the floor. She was a little sad, but the hubs and I assured her that everyone drops eggs eventually.

Next she cracked the eggs and put them in the bowl. Three eggs and only one little piece of shell fell in the bowl. If you asked me, she did an awesome job for her first time. After fishing out the shell, I added a little salt and pepper, then pushed the bowl back over to Niki. She added just one little drop of blue food coloring and whisked away.

As she beat the eggs to a bloody green pulp, I chopped up some spam. Once we were both finished with our preparations, we were ready to start cooking.

I set the pan on the stove and turned it on. Handed Niki the spoon and tossed in the spam. With a little of my help, she browned the spam nicely. Next she poured in the egg mixture. She then asked me to finish up the cooking. When it was all done and on the plate, she insisted on taking a bunch of pictures of it. The one posted up top was one of hers.

It may look a bit gross to everyone, but trust me, it was good. Niki, Maeby and I ate it all up with nothing leftover.

For all the pictures click here.

While laying down and watching The Neverending Story, Maeby starts crying because mom and dad are busy with other things around the house. Niki takes on the role of big sister and calls her sissy to lay down. I walk into the livingroom to find a happy Maeby curled into Niki’s arms.

It could quite possibly be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and all I could do was watch them and smile.

Her name is Maria. She lives down the street. Last week Niki was so excited because she had a new friend. They were in the same class and rode the bus home together. Nik told me that they even fell asleep on the bus while leaning on each other. She was so happy about it all. I was happy because she made a friend.

Than Monday she came home a little bummed. Maria made another friend and didn’t play with Nik. While trying to explain to her that it’s okay to have more than one friend, she cried. She “only wanted Maria!” and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Yesterday she came home happy once again. Maria’s other friend drew a picture for Nik. It looked like they worked it out and were now all friends. What a relief it was to think that things will be okay in the friend world. At least for a while, right?

Except it didn’t last at all.

Today Maria told Niki that she didn’t want to be her friend anymore. I don’t know why and probably never will, but it breaks my heart seeing my daughter so sad.

When school was out for Niki, and summer began, I decided I would give potty training Maeby a shot. It started out easy enough and I thought I had it made. Until we started traveling and I’d forget the potty seat. Or she’d be too shy to go because we’re not home. Or I was just too busy to stick to the routine.

Feeling like a failure, I temporarily gave up. I decided that she, and I, aren’t ready. Besides, she was only 19 months old. I didn’t want to push her or myself because we might get too frustrated and set ourselves back.

Over the next few months, I would bring her into the restroom with me and just have her sit on the potty seat. Even big sissy joined in and brought her to the restroom when she had to go. I have to say, it was darned cute and made me proud that she was helping her sister. Still, she only “went” in the potty a few times over those months.

Until this past week.

Two days in a row she had pulled off her pull-ups when I wasn’t looking and peed on the floor a few feet from the restroom. I told the hubs about this and he wondered if she was trying to get into the restroom but couldn’t. So, when I wasn’t home, he took her to potty a couple of times when he noticed her pulling them down. Now?

Now she’s pulling off her pants and pull-ups and running over to the restroom. More and more she’s going in her potty. The cutest part, she’s shy! When she’s ready she looks at us, waves, and says “Bye. Bye!” When she’s done, she opens the door. It’s cute and I love it!

Need I say more?

Oh yeah. She has crazy hair!

Niki’s 1st grade teachers stopped by the house today to drop off a folder, a workbook and a pencil for her. They introduced themselves as well as the rest of the 1st grade teachers. They all seem very sweet. It makes me excited and sad all at the same time. I can’t believe my girl will be starting 1st grade in a few days.

My baby isn’t a baby anymore. She’s a first grader and a big sister. She’s sassy and silly. She’s crazy and beautiful. She’s smart and determined. She’s sweet and stubborn. She’s awesome.

I can’t believe she’s already six.