And just like that SS is in fourth grade.

First day of preschool, October 13, 2010.

First day of kindergarden.

First day of first grade.

First day of second grade.

First day of third grade.

First day of fourth grade, how could this have happened? To us she is still the little girl on the first picture. P is freaking out because he seemed to have forgotten what I have told him since kindergarden, SS will graduate elementary school on 2017. I have no idea how but he was under the impression SS would not start middle school until seventh grade. To P it seems too young to be with those much older kids. Leaving elementary school after fifth grade is not sitting well with my husband. Not much we could do sweetie, it's how the system is designed. It would probably would have been easier for P if SS attended a K-12 school, but that animal only exists in private schools. 

 For the fifth consecutive year SS is sporting a shark backpack with matching lunchbox. This set is cool because they glow in the dark. P and I are surprised she pulled it off for another year. I started scouting the LL Bean website last May, because I knew it had to act fast if they added another shark theme. Nothing, zilch, nada, the same patterns SS already had, and we began to worry. I tried to prepare SS that we might be able to find a shark backpack, but a matching age appropriate lunchbox was going to be extremely difficult. Since this is my fifth year searching the Internet, LL Bean is the only place I have found them.

By the first week of July I told SS there were no new shark patterns, and to think of an alternative. The problem with the matching backpack and lunchbox is that it is what SS is accustomed to requesting, and getting. Then add her love for sharks and we have a big problem. She really had her heart set on those sharks. In late July we went to Laughlin and I asked SS to remind us to stop at the Barstow Outlets. We were hoping to get lucky, although we knew the probability was very low.

I don't know why but I decided to look at the LL Bean website again, and right there was a new pattern! I had not seen a new pattern that close to the start of school, they usually sell out of the cool ones by mid July. P told me not to even think about waiting, to order them on the spot. And that is how our little girl got her wish. Now, what are the odds she can pull it off six consecutive years?

One thing in common in all the first day of school pics is that SS is wearing Chucks, it's just her thing. She made a beeline to these pair at the store, and I was initially horrified. P gave me the "it's her shoes let her be look," and of course he was right. The thing is the shoes have grown on me, maybe because of how much SS likes them. She kept admiring them like in this picture. 

I must add this picture because SS wanted to show her lunchbox as well.

Every time the Red Lobster Crab Feast commercial flashed on the TV screen SS requested to go. About a week or so ago they added that the promotion would be over soon. Of course that did not go over well with SS, and she kept reminding us "it's for a limited time only and will be over soon." I take no responsibility for SS's love of seafood. This one is all on P and Grandpa who have both spoiled her with shell and fin fish. P decided to treat SS to the Crab Feast to celebrate her first day of school.

The waitress could not believe P ordered it for SS, and P added clam chowder instead of salad. Much to our surprise SS ate all the chowder, how is she going to have space for her meal? Well SS impressed the heck out of the waitress who did a double take when she walked by. There was a mountain of shells, and very little meat left over on SS's plate. Oddly SS was not a fan of the crab Alfredo, and she loves Alfredo sauce. Not a problem since it will make a nice lunch for P tomorrow. 

If you look to the right of SS's plate you will see her buddy, DOG. She was so happy to see him and since they were apart for a long, seemingly agonizing day, SS would not part with him. That's our sophisticated, crab eating, Chuck wearing, DOG attached daughter.

Star Wars night at the baseball stadium.

Last year the local stadium had a super hero night, this year SS thoroughly enjoyed Star Wars night.

SS with Commander Cody from the Clone Wars.

Finally a Darth Vader SS's size.

SS and Jango Fett, a bounty hunter and obviously almost as a bad ass as our daughter.

SS encountered many Storm Troopers and they gladly posed with her. The Death Star is in the background. SS is sitting next to me telling the names of the characters and telling me what to write.

The resemblance is uncanny.

Another Storm Trooper and Rey.

When Storm Troopers collide. Who let the Clones out? A nice Clone traded weapons with SS, we can totally see her out there bounty hunting with glee.

This kid loves Star Wars so much she would even pose with a scary Jawa.

Told you there were LOTS of Storm Troopers and SS wanted a pic with all of them. SS wants me to note that initially Storm Troopers were on the Jedi's side, and used to be called Clones. It's like she speaks a different language.

Oh yeah, there was a baseball game going on while all the picture taking took place.

A group of bounty hunters, and yet our daughter is the scariest in the group.

Even the mascot, Thunder, dressed up for the occasion.

Ah the PRIZED, the good one, the one SS has idolized since she was barely 5 years old.

SS would not pose with this one and P is not one to miss on the fun.

Masks and weapons were not allowed indoors (except for the "talent"), and yes SS had both. Because when you are a cute little girl decked out in a so called boy's costume, and you are as bad ass as SS is, people willingly look the other way. P was not willing to get escorted out by security and banned from the park. He sensibly waited to pose outside.