Can you believe I am a mother to a preschool graduate?
Yep, yesterday was her last day!
Her class put on the cutest preformance.
Emory totally rocked it, what a little performer she is.
It is crazy how fast they grow.
She is miss independent, full of attitude, and incredibly sneaky!
With her new 4 year-old charm, she seems to have an opinion about everything.
This hula skirt and coconut bra outfit is a current favorite.
And who doesn’t wear a feather boa to get snow cones?
I also hear lots of “I don’t like you”, “you are mean”, and “I like my daddy!”.
But every once in a while I still get a cuddle!
Although I am finding 4 a little rough, I still can’t get enough of her (well most of the time)!
So, lets hear from all you experienced mom’s, it’s all downhill from here right?
What age did you find the roughest?
No idea…I only have a two and a half year old, and I can already see her sass coming out! Either way, Emory is SO adorable!!
I always thought 2 was suppose to be the hardest age, but 4 is definitely in the running!
I am anxiously awaiting 5 for my youngest too.. 4 has been, um, well, trying 😉 A while back she was a screaming tantruming crazy girl, I never knew when she was going to switch from angel to crazy child.. we paid attention to what she ate and found more food allergy’s that were making her act like that!! We had the same thing with our oldest too.. she can’t have red dye.. sorry for rambling.. just want you to know you’re not alone 🙂 xoxo
Oh good! Makes me feel better knowing my 4 year old is not the only one with crazy temper tantrums!!
I hear ya! My daughter just turned 4 last week and she is wonderful and challenging all at the same time. The comments about not liking you, mean, daddy – oh, yes- that is my world too!! 🙂
Why do they always think Daddy is so great?
She’s adorable! My daughter is full of sass also (she’s 8), though mostly towards her daddy. Recently she started doing the “MOOOAAAMMMYYYYYY You are so mean” thing, in which I reply “What? You are just now realizing that?”
Enjoy it, little girls are absolutely awesome!
Haha, I love that! Sometimes we just have to be the mean guys!
Look at you two…so pretty!!! I found 3 the most challenging year. Things get really fun after that, but bittersweet because they’re getting so independent!! 🙁 Wait til she starts Kindergarten…all traces of babygirl will fly!
Thanks Cassie! 4 has been way worse than 3 for us, I actually quite enjoyed 3! I am not ready for Kindergarten, luckily Em still has another year of preschool left!
I’m having the same ‘joy’ with my 4-year-old. I’m hoping 5 is better. Fingers crossed!!
5 has got to be better right?
at least shes adorable right??? The grass skirt made my day!
She does make me smile a lot! And I kinda love that grass skirt too 🙂
You are definitely not alone. My boys are 6, 8, and 3, and are still a challenge at times. Oh the joy’s of parenting, right? Hang in there! She’ll really love and appreciate you one of these days!
Ohhhhh my goodness. Feather boa to get snow cones? Adorable…you’re making me excited to have kids. Which is a rare occurrence at 23!
12-19 for girls is the age I don’t wish on any mom. I am a mom of 3 girls, so I know first hand 🙂 But now they are all in their 20’s now and they are the best daughters ever! It is a long haul going through those years, but so worth it when they get older. I don’t know who is cuter in that last picture, you or your daughter!
Thanks Stephanie! Way to go raising 3 girls! Yes, the teenage years have got to be the worst, oh my. Good thing that is a long ways away!
4 is TOUGH. My younger daughter is headed that way and it is making me nervous. My older daughter is coming up on six, and yes, post 4 everything seems easier. Of course everyone is different, but hopefully the light is coming. At least, until they turn 11, right?
SO tough! Yes, I think the teenage years will definitely be worse!
Wait- 3’s not the toughest age???? Uh oh…
Oh I hope it gets easier! My 4 3/4 year old daughter is newly challenging, I’m hoping kindergarten next year will even her out (or at least she’ll be away for more of the day!)
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
I think 5 is hard, they start getting whiny again, like terrible 2’s…of course I have a 13 year old now so that’s a whole other set of issues!
4 is hard!! My little chicken puts me thru the ringer! 5 is easierish. 😉 Emory is a cutie btw.
Yikes…all this discussion scares me. My daughter will be 3 in July and this last 1/2 year has had its share of “terrible.” I keep thinking it will be over soon. Talking with my Mom, she assured me while laughing, “Don’t worry, it will get better when she’s 21.” !!! Good to know we’re not alone!
P.S. LOVE your blog!
The year that my daughter turned 4 (she’s going on 34 now!) was the year that she found her attitude to go with her mouth. Even though that was thirty years ago, I won’t ever forget what a sassy, mouthy thing she was. It was tough! Just wait til she turns 14! That’s when the “real” fun begins! 😉 😉
She is so absolutely adorable and so sassy!!
Uuggghh, I am not looking forward to the “I don’t like you’s” and “you are mean”, etc… but they will come. Thankfully I still have quite a bit of time to wait…
What a cutie Emory is though! 🙂
Oh the joys of raising a girl! You know you’re a good momma when your daughter says, “I don’t like you!” Give yourself a pat on the back – it means you’re doing a good job! 😉 Mine is 5 going on 21 so I know exactly what you’re dealing with – oh and I think our girls would be besties – mine likes to rock a side pony tail and wants to wear dress up shoes to school! Ha – you gotta love it!
A friend’s father is a pediatrician and he once said at dinner, “You know, 4 year olds are really just very smart two year olds.”
And I found that to be so true.
I found both 2 and 4 to be really challenging and honestly? 13 has challenges that are different but I still find it easier. I guess because I feel like everything I do isn’t shaping her at this point. Back then I worried she was “just spoiled” or that I wasn’t giving her enough boundaries or that I was doing it wrong.
Now I know she’s a good kid…with moments of pushing limits (and my buttons).
Talk to me when she’s 16.
My daughter is going to be 2 in August and I’ve already found it to be a bit challenging, but like you said I still can’t get enough of her. She is quite opinionated already – even about her clothing. How is that possible when she’s not even 2? 🙂 You and your little girl are adorable!
Just had to chime in… They call 2’s the “Terrible Two’s”- well, I say the 4’s are the “F-in Fours”. At 5 1/2 you’ll sigh a breath of fresh air!
Oh, and I found a couple books to be helpful:
Parenting With Love And Logic
Raising Your Spirited Child