Shekina's Big Secret

If you see Shekina anytime soon, pretend you haven't read this and let her tell you her secret in person. She's very excited to tell everyone that she's six, not four. 

We always knew she looked older than four, but we didn't have the paperwork to prove it. Now, after a thorough private investigation in Kinshasa, we have her birth records, and they show she'll be seven this coming December. WOW! 

Needless to say, the current preschooler will be skipping at least one grade. I am so excited she will finally be in a class with kids who are her age.  (Her class this year was pre-K 3/4!!!!) I expect the change to be a challenge academically, but Shekina is smart as a whip, and I know she's up to the task. She knows all her upper and lowercase letters, their sounds, and she's just beginning to learn to read. It won't be long before she's reading to me at bedtime.

Speaking of smart as a whip, guess which two-year-old shouted out "OVAL!" when I handed him a Ritz cracker the other day? Goddy's getting a first-class preschool education in Christ Methodist's daycare, and even though you may not be able to understand everything he says, he's speaking in full sentences. This is a far cry from the boy who early intervention services assessed as having a 45% deficit in communication last July. We are absolutely amazed at both his communication and physical growth. You ought to see how tall he is and the way he runs everywhere (to the dismay of his lip, which is currently busted, and his head, which has suffered countless bumps). 

We took a three-day trip to New Orleans for spring break this week, and the kids had an amazing time. My parents and I saw a side of the city we had never experienced. Below are a few pictures from our trip. 

At Carousel Gardens/Playland on a gorgeous day

Riding Carousel Garden's choo choo through City Park, under beautiful live oaks and Spanish moss

Lunch at Parkway Bakery; see how many fingers she's holding up? 

Dancing with a French saxophonist in Jackson Square! 

Once he saw the "Love Bug" in the Insectarium, he had zero interest in the insects. He kept sneaking away and running back to "drive" this car. This boy will have a job related to transportation one of these days, mark my words. 

Shekina was THRILLED to get her face painted at the aquarium. Loved the birds too!

Tiger with distant feline relatives in the quarter

First ride on a real "choo choo"--a New Orleans streetcar. He was mesmerized--just stared and stared.

On the river walk 

More of the streetcar down St. Charles

Heavy downpours on our third day sent us packing early. See you later, New Orleans!

Stopped for a bite in Ponchatoula, Louisiana on the way back. Goddy was thrilled to find MORE trains in their town center. 

Taking a break on the way back 

Happy spring break! 

The Boltons