And Breathe...

As the first official week of summer break comes to a close with a schedule full of nothing but a few baseball games over the next few weeks, I can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy this reprieve after the craziness that the beginning of May brought with it.  And so, through a photo-heavy post, I will try to encompass all that was checked off the calendar as we waded our way through the end of the school year.

We attended Awana awards night, although Briggs would often tell people that his sisters were at 'Moana' on Wednesday evenings.   

Both girls had a good year in Awana, learning Bible verses, making friends, and having fun.

Briggs, Adelie, and I helped out at the concession stand at the 3rd and 4th grade track meet.  Adelie was a big help.  Briggs?  Not so much.

After the helping, we got to see Staley with her class and enjoy the FFA fun area.  There was a petting zoo, face painting, and fun vehicles to sit on or get in.  Briggs was most enamored with the mini-loader and the mini-excavator that he got to sit in.

Zach graduated from 'Fight Club' at church.  It was an intense 10-week men's program that had weekly assignments in different areas that the men had to complete.

Of the 19 men that started the program, only 12 completed it.  We were all proud of Zach and the hard work he put into it.  (Here the graduates are planking with their kids on their backs.)  Physical challenges were just one small portion of the Fight Club assignments.

Staley's class with one other first grade class put on a "Children Around the World" presentation where they shared interesting facts about various countries.

There were also songs and/or dances from each of the countries.

And, of course, Staley had no problem memorizing her lines about England and saying them loudly and clearly.  Give the girl a microphone and she's right at home.

Adelie's pre-school class took a field trip to Pizza Hut.

They got to tour the restaurant and even got to make their own pizzas.

Staley had grandparent's reading day at school.  There were 2 separate times that grandparents could come to read with their grandkids.  Staley felt so lucky that Uma came for one and Grammie came for the other.  What a lucky girl!!

Staley had field day at her school.

(I love her little head peaking out from behind her friends.)

Field day at Staley's school is kind of like an extended, glorified recess.  There is a bouncy house, water balloons, playground fun, jump ropes, popsicles, and no learning taking place for an entire morning.  Of course, the kids love it.

Adelie's last day of pre-school was water day.  It was so much fun wearing a bathing suit to school and playing in the water with her friends.

Our nephew, Cade, graduated from 8th grade.

We celebrated graduation and May birthdays with a family brunch.

Staley's spring semester of Stage Kids culminated in 2 performances of 'Mulan, Jr.'

Staley was part of the ensemble as a daughter, a hairdresser, and a Hun soldier.  She didn't have any lines, but did have a short solo in one of the songs.  In my opinion, "with good fortune and a great hair-do" was the best line in the whole play.

Staley is always so pleased with the support she receives by those who attend her plays.

Grandparents...

cousins...

friends...

and neighbors.

I love just watching the way Staley enjoys every moment of her plays.  Her enthusiasm and enjoyment is so evident, and that's what makes her so fun to watch.

With Staley's final play rehearsal and performances, she missed both her baseball practices.  However, we squeezed in two Adelie t-ball practices.  The skill might not be there yet, but she sure looks cute doing it.

Even though Briggs didn't have any end-of-the-year activities to contribute, he attended lots of his sisters' events and found time for some fun of his own, like watching the digger working in the neighbors yard.

Briggs also went on his very first fishing outing with Zach.  He was so pleased with his new Thomas the Train fishing pole...and the fact that he caught a fish.

The last few weeks of school were busy and full of so many end of the year activities crammed into a very small window.  (Really, can we not tour Pizza Hut or learn about the Children of the World in February??)  But now it's time to slow down, relax, and breathe.

Hello, summer break!  So glad you are finally here.

Question of the Day

Now that summer break has started, why is it that all my kids have slept in until 8:00 but never all on the same day?

Question of the Day

Why is it that I have one kid who never wants to wear socks and one who insists on always wearing socks?  (He wears socks with his sandals and refuses to go to bed unless he has 4 socks--one on each foot and one on each hand.)

Socks and no socks.

Why can't we just find a happy medium??

Play Ball!

Adelie and Staley are both playing on baseball teams this summer.  Staley had to miss her team's two practices because of conflicts with her acting class.  Her first game was tonight, so after work I was trying to practice with Staley a little in the driveway before her game.  I was trying to teach her how to turn her glove so that she could catch a ball that was coming towards her, but she just wanted to keep her palm facing up with the hope that the ball would land in her glove.  I told her, "If someone throws the ball to you and you don't turn your glove to catch it, the ball is just going to hit you in the face."  Staley replied, "I'll just jump out of the way.  I'm really good at dodgeball."
#missingthepoint

As I continued to try to show Staley how to properly catch the ball, she finally said, "I don't even want to play baseball if I can't do it the way I want."
#whoneedscoaches

Maybe organized sports just isn't going to be her thing.

It's Over!

 In the blink of an eye, August turned into May and the school year ended just as quickly as it started.

First day of 4 year old pre-school

Last day of 4 year old preschool

Adelie had another great year of pre-school.  She always loved going to school.  And although she told me her favorite thing about pre-school was snack, I know that she also loved her teacher, loved her friends, and learned so much.  For the little girl who didn't even know all her letters going into this year, my Adelie is now sounding out words and spelling some sight words...and is so proud of herself.

We loved Mrs. Ferguson and were so glad that Adelie got to have her as a teacher the past 2 years.

First day of first grade

Last day of first grade

Staley had a great year in first grade.  Our backyard neighbor was in her class this year and has become her best friend.  Staley enjoyed the kids in her class.  She loved being in a special reading group for advanced readers that she called "reading club."  Her teacher was a highlight for her this year.  She loved Mr. Garber, always coming home and telling us about the funny things he did or said.  I know she learned plenty throughout the year in school.  However today she told me, "We are going to learn cursive writing in second grade, but I don't want you to teach me cursive over the summer.  Since Kindergarten and first grade were really easy, I want to have something to learn in second grade."

Mr. Garber was a great teacher for Staley.

So apparently the school year highlight for Adelie was snack time and Staley didn't think she learned anything this year.  I don't know if I'd count those as the true signs of a successful school year.  I count the friendships, the improved test scores, the new skills, and the two girls who were always ready to enjoy another day at school.  It was a great year for these two.  And just like that, I have a second grader and a Kindergartener.  How did that happen??

Hmmmm...

Staley:  "Mom!  Mom!  Adelie just called me a tattletale."

Ummm...yeah.  Not sure how to even respond to that.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a great day to reflect on how blessed I am in my life.  Not only am I so blessed to be a mom, but I am so, so blessed to have two wonderful moms who help me, support me, love me, and provide an example for me of what a mom should be.

I am so thankful for Zach's mom.  She is generous and thoughtful and loving, which are all traits she has instilled in her son that make him such a wonderful husband and father.  She is always willing to help out at a moment's notice.  If I need anything, I know I can count on her.  She rarely drops by empty handed.  It may be fresh fruit or a pair of sandals or some fun magazines or just a little treat that she thought we'd like, but the way she always seems to know just what we need is amazing.  She has boundless love for the kids and is a constant presence in their lives.  Whether it's grandparents day or a soccer game or a play or a church musical, Uma is always there.  And just as the kids look forward to play dates and sleepovers and special time at Uma and Papa's, I always look forward to time with Uma for shopping trips and evenings out and family get-togethers.  Zach is an amazing man, and I owe so much thanks to the parents who raised him that way.  I am so blessed to be married to him and just as blessed to be a part of his amazing family.  How lucky I am to have Cathy as my mother-in-law!

I love you, Cathy!

I hope someday my kids still need me as much as I still need my mom.  It's hard to find the right words.  Thank you never seems adequate to the person who raised me, who sacrificed, who endured sleepless nights and teenage attitude, who loved me unconditionally even when I wasn't very lovable.  Thank you doesn't seem enough for the training and teaching and wisdom and support and love that were, and are, provided for me on a consistent basis.  Thank you doesn't encompass the gratitude I feel for the way her time and energy and presence and love are poured into my children's lives.  Thank you is too small for the many ways I counted on her as a child and the ways I still do as an adult.  I may be 41 years old and raising 3 kids of my own, but I still need my mom.

I love you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!!

They Say...

The other evening the girls were making "projects" in the yard of Uma and Papa's house by collecting leaves, pine cones, and rocks and then arranging them together.  Briggs walked up with a very serious face and said, "You know that little boy who doesn't get to make any projects?  That boy is me."
#deprivedchild

Briggs and I were playing at the park the other day while Staley was at school and Adelie was at a play date.  We were climbing on a play structure that looks a little like a castle.  Briggs said, "This is our castle.  You will be the king and I will be the princess."  I said, "Maybe you can be the king since kings are boys."  Briggs responded, "No thanks.  I will just be Rapunzel."
#lifewithsisters
#wellrounded

At Easter, Briggs came up to me and asked, "Where is that boy I was playing with?"  I wasn't sure who he was talking about.  I said, "Do you mean Knox?  Was it a boy about your size?"  Briggs responded, "No.  That big boy who was playing cars with me."  In a moment of realization, I said, "You mean Uncle Erik?"  And Briggs exclaimed, "Yes!  Where is Uncle Erik?"

#thatboy

The other day we were playing in the driveway.  Briggs said, "Let's play bat ball."  He went into the garage and brought out the tee for hitting the ball off of.  He said, "Here.  I got the soccer thing."  Then he handed Staley's baseball glove to me and said, "You can use the glub."  A little while later, he dragged out our little basketball hoop and said, "I've got the net thing."
#failingasparents
#butheknowshisprincesses

The other night at bath time, Briggs and Adelie were taking a bath together.  I was in the other room putting away some laundry when I heard Adelie say, "Briggs, stand up.  What is that thing?"  I went into the bathroom in time to see Adelie pointing at Briggs's privates.  We had a quick conversation about how God made boys and girls with different parts.  So it only took Adelie 3 years, 2 months, and 6 days of life with a little brother to discover this difference.  I'm a little concerned about her powers of observation.
#howdidyounotnotice

My mom was watching the kids today.  Adelie asked her if she knew how to spell Mississippi.  My mom said 'no' so Adelie spelled it for her.  My mom said, "You're right!"  Then Adelie said, "So you do know how to spell it?"  My mom admitted that she did, to which Adelie proclaimed, "I didn't know grown-ups could lie."
#busted

Staley made me a Mother's Day poem and a Mother's Day book at school where she had to fill in different answers and adjectives about me.  Her Mother's Day gifts included sentiments like "My mom is as smart as a cat." or "My mom is as helpful as the maleman."  She also noted that if she could buy me anything, it would be "swet pants."  It always makes me smile to see what my kids think about me.

Since Staley loves to sing and we are not a musical family, I thought about signing her up for singing lessons to see if we could help her out in this area.  I mentioned this idea to her to see what she thought.  Her response?  "I don't need singing lessons.  I'm already really good at singing."
#confidence

Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day.  I told my kids that all I wanted for Mother's Day was one full day of no crying, no arguing, no tattling, and no complaining.  And although I didn't get what I asked for, I did get a nice, relaxing, love-filled day.

I skipped Sunday School and went for a morning run while Zach got the kids up, ready, and out the door for church.  I came home from my run to a quiet house and was able to leisurely just get myself ready for church.

I enjoyed a yummy lunch and dessert at my mom's house that I didn't have to cook.

Anytime one of the kids had a need, I just responded, "Ask your dad."

I felt justified in sitting inside on the couch and visiting with my sister-in-laws and my mom while the dads supervised the kids playing outside.

I ate a yummy dinner and dessert at Zach's mom's house that I didn't have to cook.

I didn't feel bad about serving myself first and claiming my spot at the non-kid table.

My kids showered me with homemade gifts and pictures and cards, although the girls couldn't quite wait to give me everything they made so I did open a few of my gifts on Friday to appease them.

I spent the day feeling loved and appreciated and thankful.  So, so thankful that I get the privilege of being a mom to these three.  Even though I didn't get exactly what I wanted for Mother's Day, I have exactly what I want in my every day.

I couldn't be more blessed!

Stranger Danger

Adelie has recently been very interested in strangers, who they are, and why you are not supposed to talk to them.   Because of this, we've talked at length about things that are okay (saying "hi" to people we don't know when they are walking down the street) and things that aren't okay (taking things from people we don't know, going with people we don't know, getting into a car with someone we don't know,..)  The other day we were all playing in the backyard.  Briggs ran into the front yard to get something from his sandbox.  When he returned, we had this conversation:

Briggs:  "I saw someone I didn't know and I said "hi" to her.  Is that okay?"
Me:  "It's okay that you said hi.  But what if she said, 'Come here, little boy.  Would you like this piece of candy?'  What would you say?"
Briggs:  "Yes please."

Manners?  Check.  Stranger danger?  Still needs some work.

Soccer

Adelie just finished playing spring soccer.  She enjoyed herself and showed improvement, not only from the fall season but even from the first game to the last.  Improvement and enjoyment?  I'd call that the picture of a successful sports season when you are 5.

Adelie was still not the fastest, best, or most aggressive kid on the field, but she played hard (mostly), was generally in the mix of the other kids around the ball, and had a good time.  Last season she was disappointed that she went through the whole season without scoring a goal.  This season, she scored 3 goals, including 2 in her final game.  I loved how her face beamed and her run turned into a prance each time she scored a goal.

Like last season, I was an assistant coach for Adelie's team.  And although I have slightly more knowledge than I did my first time around, most of my role was providing positive support, cheering for our team, reminding them when they were heading in the wrong direction, and keeping them corralled when it wasn't their turn to be playing.  Those were all things I felt well equipped to handle.

Adelie enjoyed all the other kids on her team.  It was a nice group of kids, which made the experience more fun for all of us.  And although Adelie liked being on the field playing, she also enjoyed hanging out with her friends on the bench and eating snack after the game.

After 2 seasons of soccer, Staley declared that she was done playing soccer.  Adelie has already asked if she can play again next time.  I'm not sure if soccer is going to be Adelie's "thing", but for now it looks like it will stay in the mix.  Since soccer generally involves sitting outside in nice spring and fall weather, I'm all for it.

Bye, soccer.

See you again in the fall.

Story Time

Adelie loves to write and draw and create.  The other day she made a pencil sketch book all about pencils.  Each of the 12 pages featured pencils doing various activities.  Pencils at the pool.  Pencils at the playground.  Pencils at the hotel.  Pencils in the treehouse.

Pencils going camping.

(I love the moon.)

Pencils at the work site.

(I love the digger.)

Pencils in the meadow.

(I love the butterflies and the hearts.)

She worked hard on her book.  Her creativity made me smile.  I loved how the words in her book were the names of family members, which are most of the words she can spell without help.  I asked Adelie, "What's your book called?"  Her answer...

"Pennsylvania."

I love her mind!!