House, Haircuts, and then Ikea

This morning I was doing the dishes and came to the living room to find the big girls "playing house" with their little sister. She was sitting up when I last saw her. She was now lying down on a pillowpet, 3 blankets, and had at least 3 blankets on top of her. In the game of "playing house" she apparently was sick and they were taking care of her and making her snuggly. Poor little P.

Shortly after this the girls went for haircuts which were LONG overdue. Cora was such a brave girl sitting under the dryer.

And I might have impulsively had more inches cut off Kalli's hair than I had intended. Peter (who is more sentimental than me) is quietly mourning the long locks of curls that are now gone. Her new cut is cute just not the same as it was.

We then headed to Ikea to get frames so Paysen's pictures can be hung in our hallways. (yes 8 months is how long I have been anticipating getting these frames but hadn't mustered the courage yet to take all the kids to ikea) Once we got there, I offered for Cora to go the kid's area. She said she would like to. "Okay, I thought. Let's give it a try." We measured her and she just squeaked by being tall enough. She took off her shoes and waved good-bye and went on it. Wow, my little girl has matured so much in this year. I don't think I had realized how much until this moment in which she wasn't clinging to my leg, requesting someone to go with her - she was comfortable and brave enough to go in by herself.  I am so encouraged to see this growth in her. As we prepare for Kindergarten next year it was a good reminder that I am not sending Cora at age 3 to Kindergarten but a 5 year old and she will only continue to mature in the coming months as she (and I) prepare for this big change. As I expect, God knows exactly what our hearts need and the timing too and this was an answer to prayer as I have been praying for confirmation to know if she is ready for school and to make sure we are making the right decisions. So grateful to not be parenting in full control but leaning on God's strength, wisdom, insight, and provision.