of kool-aid and ice skates

one of the best things about these few short preschool years is the abundance of firsts.  there are those you put in the baby book - first smile, first tooth, first steps - and then there are those everyday firsts, so many more, you could spend all your time just recording them. 

like a few weeks ago, when lu suddenly showed up having put her coat and gloves on herself (fingers all in the right holes), for the first time. 

like the girls' first valentines that they made for their little bible study friends.

like c tugging on my sleeve to say, 'i want to bring my treats [valentine's package from grandma and grandpa] to j's house, so we can share them with our friends.'  all the more precious because i know it was a meditated decision, not a natural impulse.

like lu saying out of the blue, 'mommy, you're the best!'

like overhearing c introducing herself to a girl at the playground.  'i told her i'm 3 1/2,' she told me afterwards.  this may not sound like a big deal, but initiating a friendly gesture out of her familiar circle - maybe there's hope for our little introvert =)

like our first pitcher of kool-aid (more properly speaking, our first blender of kool-aid, since that was the only container i could find =p).  we read a book that mentioned it, and ben found the girls' ignorance unpardonable.  so on the next shopping trip, we found this:

like our first try with ice skates.  c did well, with the help of a walker they had out for tots time.  her sister was less excited =p

and.. our first time on a zamboni ;-)