Looking Older

Lately it seems like Ally has grown up some more. I was looking at pictures I've taken in the past couple of weeks and these really struck me:

Working on a project at her craft table - she is so into drawing and coloring and making projects. Of course none of them can ever be thrown away.

At the park

My happy 5 year old.

Several people have asked about our schedule change.

It is a very good thing that we stopped After School. I pick Ally up every day at the end of the kindergarten day, and she is so tired. And she sleeps for 11-12 hours every night. It is so clear to us now why staying for After School was "too long" for her. Just the 6 hour school day is long. She is working so hard at her Spanish and with the social aspects of school - who knew all the social issues in Jr K? But it turns out there are a lot. And learning in a structured environment is more challenging than pre-school. Ally is thriving on her shorter day. She is happier, has less anxiety in general and is actually sleeping more now than in the fall. I think the transition to the After School Program was just tough for her - she was tired, and she knew she had to do it so she did, but it took away some of her enjoyment about school, and in a way made her more tired. I think sleep was harder because she had less time at home to play, but now she is ready for bedtime when it comes, and unless its a bath night there is very little argument or procrastination from her.

We're still doing gymnastics on Saturday morning. Ally has made some friends in the class and said she did not want to switch to a different class. And the Saturday morning is now a routine for us so we'll stick with that for now.