08-25-15 The First Day

Dear sweet girl,

Today was your first day of kindergarten. I could tell you were nervous because you got up super early and wandered into my room asking to cuddle with me. Then you barely ate breakfast. You kept saying your stomach was full, but I imagine there were quite a few butterflies dancing in your tummy. You picked out a beautiful blue dress and let me brush your hair. Then you rode on your scooter as you waited for the bus to arrive. At that moment you seemed so incredibly big and small at the same time. Big because you have grown over the summer, your arms and legs have lengthened and thinned. But small because your backpack hung off your shoulders dwarfing your petit frame. 

You were excited to realize you would be riding the same bus as a neighbor girl... The same girl you stand in awe of every time she passes. When you finally saw the bus, you once again became timid and clung to your daddy. I'm scared, Daddy! But as the doors opened and the other kids boarded you took your daddy's hand and walked towards the steps. You stepped up, let go, and didn't look back. And so began your first day. 

I worked a short day today so that I could see you get off the bus. When the doors opened and the kids piled out I waited to see your face. When you jumped down you ran to my arms and held on as the bus drove off. And then you started talking! You told me all about your teacher and that you got to go to the library and you made lots of friends. You smiled and laughed all evening. 

By bedtime you were exhausted and a little fussy. This new schedule will take some getting used to for all of us. Welcome home little one! 

Rest. Sleep. Dream. 

Tomorrow is a new day. 

Love, 

Mommy

08-24-15 Early Birthday Party

Since tomorrow is the first day of school, Naona and Aunt Julie wanted to be here for the big day. And since C's birthday is Wednesday we thought we would have a little party for her this evening. First we took her to her favorite restaurant for dinner... IHOP. (Because nothing starts the school year off right like a huge chocolate pancake filled with chocolate chips and smothered in chocolate sauce, right?!?) 

Then we came home for cake (which she wasn't up to eating, probably because of the nature of her dinner...) and then presents! 

She was very excited about both of her big gifts! Thank you Naona and GP for the Frozen bike and Aunt Julie for the Frozen scooter!! They were both a hit! (And she did get to have a few bites of cake before bed!)

08-24-15 A Letter to my Daughter

Dear sweet girl, 

I crawled into your bed tonight as you were going to sleep. We didn't really fit, the both of us crammed into a toddler bed, but you snuggled in closely as I stroked your hair, damp from your evening bath. I stared at you trying to memorize every line and curve of your face, to cement it in my mind for future recollection. You are beautiful. 

Tomorrow you start a new adventure, one I'm not sure either of us is really quite ready for! My heart pounds a little harder when I think about it. How can you, my first born, be heading off to school? Wasn't it just yesterday that I stared at my big belly pleading for you to arrive? Wasn't it just yesterday that the doctors said they couldn't get your heart rate up, so they would have to take you out and do it very quickly? I was so frightened. But then you were there... In my arms... And you were perfect. And the beginning was rough, but we found our rhythm and I would rock you each night as you fought sleep. 

How is it that that baby went to a school this morning to meet her teacher? You were so scared, being in a room filled with strangers and you clung to your daddy's neck so tight. But then they called your class and you slipped from his arms and got into line. I'm scared, daddy, but I'm still going to do it!

You are brave. You are beautiful. You are loved. 

It's ok to be scared. Sometimes life is just plain scary. But more often than not, when we push through that fear there is something beautiful behind it. 

My advice to you is to remember your Father in heaven. When you are scared, pray. And remember your family at home. We are waiting eagerly for your return. We are proud of you and we love you so very much! 

Love,

Mommy

Kindergarten orientation was today. When we got there they shuffled us all into the cafeteria. It all ran smoothly, but there were a lot of kids and parents and it was a bit overwhelming for C. She held on to her daddy through all the announcements. When the classes were finally dismissed though, she got into line and headed out the door, not once looking back. When we met up with her in her classroom, we got to meet her teacher and ask questions. She still seemed pretty nervous, so we decided to walk  her around for a bit. By the time we were all done none of the other kids were there, but it was a good chance for her to feel a little more comfortable in the building tomorrow. She will likely be the youngest in her class so anywhere we can add a little confidence is helpful. By the time we left she was running around and having fun! 

She got to ride the bus. 

She got to see the gym...

She got to read some books in the library...

She got to visit her classroom again...

And she got to play on the playground!

Congratulations to my little girl! Class of 2028!!!

08-23-15 Tomorrow...

In twelve hours this little girl will be meeting her teacher and getting a tour of her school. Her world is about to change!

08-22-15 Play date and a quiet evening

This is my evening.... Vegging in front of the tv with my little people and a bowl of popcorn! (And yes, we are watching Frozen. At Big E's request, no less.)

C had a long day. She went on her first official solo play date. One of her friends from Moms Morning Out invited her over for the day, so this morning I took her over, spent a little while with her friends family, and then left her to have her fun! It seems strange that she is old enough to have friends she chooses for herself! I guess I better get used to it! 

She had a lot of fun! They went swimming, played in their play house, and played with toys. By the time she got home this evening she couldn't stop talking about how much fun she had! I'm so glad! It was a great way for her to spend her last Saturday of freedom before school starts.

08-21-15 What is it with my family and toes?!?!

Remember those feet I prayed for last night? Well, this morning as I was loading up the car to drop the kids off and go to work I was letting the older ones ride their bikes/trikes. Big E has a bad habit of not watching where he is going. I told them they had to drive slow and be quiet. Not long after saying that Big E starts screaming! 

C says he just ran in to the neighbor's car. 

Upon inspection it would appear that he was riding his trike, not watching where he was going, and ended up gashing open his toe on the neighbor's car's license plate. 

Blood everywhere!

He is screaming and bleeding. It was awful. It took awhile to stop the bleeding. Then I had him soak his foot in warm water and hydrogen peroxide. Another neighbor came out that happens to be a medical responder. I asked him to take a look at it to see if it might need stitches. The cut was very deep but had stopped bleeding. He said it was on the verge of needing stitches, but if I bandaged it well, he might not need them. I bandaged him up and dropped him with the sitter. The bleeding had stopped and he had calmed down. 

This evening when I took off the bandage it looked painful but not too messy. I think we might have avoided stitches this time, but I will be keeping my eye on it to make sure it doesn't get infected, poor kid!

Now let's keep those feet healthy so they can conquer the world!

(And for the hundredth time... Watch where you are going!)

Cause I am a half way decent mom, I waited until after I had gotten the bleeding to stop before taking a picture. There was no, try not to bleed out while I go grab the camera, honey! It seriously looked a lot worse than this when it first happened. And you can't really tell how deep it is from this pic. He did think the bubbles from the hydrogen peroxide were pretty cool! He also got to eat a little snickers bar while I bandaged him up. That kept him brave! He will be gimping around for a few days, but he will be fine!

08-20-15 For these feet I pray

I pray they...

Feel the sand between their toes. 

Splash through puddles. 

Walk across gravel. 

Be tickled.

Be caked with dirt.

Be tired from use. 

Wander through forests.

Traverse valleys.

Lay under the night sky.

Climb mountains.

Swim in oceans. 

Dangle from high places.

Tread continents.

Brave mysterious places.

Journey home. 

But mostly...

I pray they...

Spread the Love of Christ with every step they take. 

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Big E- I'm tired of having a baby. Let's give him to grandma!

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C- Emma plays with Adie. Big E and Allie are good buddies! I don't have anyone!

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08-19-15 Breaking News! First photo found!

I was going through old photos tonight with C when I came across what I can only describe as the first known photo of Tim and I standing next to each other! Wow, we were young! If I had to guess, I would say I was probably about 15-16 years old (making Tim, ahem, a little younger than that.) Can anyone carbon date this one for me?

Little did we know that about twenty years later we would be sending our oldest child off to kindergarten. 

And to continue down memory lane, here are a few more from over the years... All snap shots from actual photos (so they must be old!)

Jenn and Tim dropping me off for my first year at NYU. Circa August 2000

Lurray Caverns, 2007 (?)

April 2007

08-18-15 Look-a-likes