Back to School.

Elle had her turn last week, now Isla is off to the races for another year:

Dancer.

It was a bit of a surprise when Isla asked if she could take dance earlier this year. She has always been the one that is geared more towards swords and soccerballs, but she certainly knows how to wiggle - so we thought we should give it a shot!

Besides, if Black Swan taught us anything, it's that ballet is a totally healthy pastime for any young woman.

Backpacker.

The Amazing Pink Batgirl.

Pucker Up!

Kindergarten. Already?

Why did she do that so quickly?

Elle can't be five yet. She isn't ready for Kindergarten.

Except...she is, and she is.

Her life has been a series of afternoons at the playground, chasing butterflies, painting fingernails, looking for ladybugs, drawing rainbows, floating around the pool, and lounging around in the mornings.

We certainly knew that this day would come and she would be off to spread her wings just a little bit more - but today it felt like we didn't have any warning about the first day of Kindergarten.

In the classroom: backpack on the hook, nametag on, school supplies ready, and she was sitting in her spot on the floor - and then I heard the sound of the bell ringing.

I didn't want the bell to ring.

We got a quick and distracted hug and kiss and there were no tears, no begging to go back home, no running towards the door. No drama, nothing.

All I saw was my beautiful little girl - sitting still and reading her book, ready to start Kindergarten.

Songbird.

For those that know Isla - you are well aware that this is an *exact* snapshot of her personality.

But you know what makes this even more funny?

Take a close look at her left hand...a little closer...well, maybe you can't see it.

For some strange reason - she looked around the playroom for 15 minutes before her performance so she could put on an orange spider ring for her performance:

Elle = 5.

Want to know the best sentence you can ever hear?

"Today was the most best birthday I could have ever had!"

Happy 5th Birthday to my favorite elle:

Prayers from Isla.

Isla has taken some time to get her brain wrapped-around saying some prayers before bedtime. We started about six months ago, and we have been stuck on the 'Food Prayer' that she knows.

Great intentions, but a bit off the mark - so I have been teaching her to think of all things that she is happy about before she falls asleep - and then to thank God for them.

Until tonight, I have always done the talking.

So there we were - laying in her bed and I asked if she was ready for me to say prayers - and she said 'No! I am going to do them.' So here they are:

"God, thank you for eyebrows. And God, thank you for the grass. And I like chocolate."

"And Daddy." "And Mommy."

"And God - thank you for elle's birthday tomorrow. I love being her bigger sister."

With that final note, she rolled over and went to sleep...

Isla Mercer : August 2009.

Rainbow.

Movin' Dirt.

B/W.

Bottoms Up!

Shamuuuuuuu!

Downside-Up.

Bike Gang.

Superstar.

Little Chef.