End of Summer

Again, summer has come and gone. The second half of summer flew by even faster than the first. And so, as promised, here are a few photo highlights.

Sparkler fun on Fourth of July

Monsters, Inc. artwork fun

Family Movie Night - Frozen under the Stars

Community Outreach - packing meals for South Africa

A little sewing project for a friend

Zoo Day with friends

gymnastics fun!

Coney Island

lunch date with cousins

Swimming fun 

Family hiking at Clifty Falls State Park

Potty Training Reward - Build a Bear! 

Back to School?!

It hardly seems possible, but the time had come for my baby girl to enter Kindergarten. Wait, what?! Kindergarten?! Several hours a day, every week day, all year long?! Surrounded by bigger kids, and officially in grade school. Wow, how on earth has time gone so fast?

To kick start the school year right, I decided to take our big grade schooler out for a pre-school date night! First stop, Elliana's first manicure! She was so excited, she practically was dancing in the aisles of the salon. Of course, she chose hot pink with silver sparkles. Love my girlie girl!

Elliana's first manicure! 

Next stop, shopping! We hit the mall for new school approved shoes (guess I wasn't ready for dress codes yet!), and a pair of owl pajamas, as this girl is obsessed with owls. We browsed the mall, enjoyed the mommy-daughter time and even were silly as we jumped over colored tiles on the ground, pretending there were alligators on certain colors. It amazed me how much more grown up my little girl was already, just being able to spend quality time with her, to witness her confidence and have time to explain her detailed questions.

Girl time = shopping!

After shopping, we loaded up on sugar and calories at Orange Leaf where Elliana had more toppings in her bowl than ice cream. We giggled. We danced. We savored the moment. And, finally at 9:00 (1.5 hours PAST bedtime) we began to venture toward home. As I drove home and listened to Elliana explain the solar system (complete with hand movements and circular gestures), I began to pray. Prayers of gratitude, thankful for this sweet girl that God has blessed us with. Prayers for protection as she goes into the world without the shelter of our wings. Prayers for friendship, strong, healthy friendships, where Elliana can be herself, yet learn positively from her friends as well.

We snuggled and prayed before bedtime. We read "the Night Before Kindergarten" and talked about her hopes and fears for the next day. She had a lot more excitement than she did fear, and that alone was an answered prayer. For I, myself, had some unspoken fears.

At 7:11 am, I was woken by a beautifully dressed and groomed little girl, who had already made her bed, cleaned her room and was ready to go to school. Unfortunately, school didn't start for another 5 hours, so we decided to have breakfast first!

We had picked out her favorite breakfast treat the day before and we arranged donuts (glazed and chocolate) in the shape of  a K for her first day of Kindergarten. Every other bite, "Mommy is it time to go to school?" The concept of AFTERNOON kindergarten was clearly one I hadn't prepared for.

By 8:00 we had finished breakfast, curled her hair, oh and played two games of Bingo already. I knew it was going to be a long morning with such an excited little one.

Thankfully our awesome friends and neighbors came over to play, and eat lunch and before we knew it, it was time to go. We took the traditional first day of school picture and off we went!

Waiting for the doors to unlock and the school day to begin! 

First in line, eager to wave goodbye and head into her new world! 

At the classroom, Elliana looked like a natural. She quickly found a seat, started coloring and flashed me a truly genuine smile. I knew she was going to be okay, even though I was not yet sure about myself.

Ready to start her school day! 

Although Kindergarten hours are shorter than her days at preschool, I found myself checking the clock abundantly and excessively! I prayed for her constantly. And, a few hours later, she came out smiling.

I will continue to pray for this sweet girl and give thanks. I ask for direction and guidance with her future schooling. I ask for wisdom for her and discernment with the choices in front of her. Jesus, may you preserve her sensitivity, yet help her guard her heart from hurt. Lord, give Elliana the confidence to let her light shine brightly, and I praise you for allowing us to experience the light you've given her.

Day #2! Already more grown up! 

24 hours...

Last week, I was unexpectedly offered 24 hours of child free time. A day with Nana, including overnight, meant I was child free for exactly 24 hours. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids. Adore them even. But as a mom, especially a stay at home mom, there is no break. No time off, no vacation days. It is on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And in all honesty, I wouldn't have it any other way. However, after a week of potty training, the weariness of the "why" phase and the jam packed schedule of summer fun, I needed a break. I was too stubborn and proud to ask for a break, so when it was offered unsolicited, I was so excited I could barely sleep that night.

My mind raced with what I could do, what I could accomplish with no one but my own schedule and demands. I imagined what it would be like to shower. By myself. In daylight hours. I fantasized about sleeping in, simply because I could. 

I imagined long workouts, reading a book, great shopping adventures and a clean house. I got giddy with the idea of reading a sewing pattern and actually being able to understand and apply the logic all in one day. I imagined relaxation unlike any I have had recently as even if I am by myself for a little while, I am always hurrying home to a sitter or to an appointment.

Two days later, the moment had come. I kissed those sweet girls goodbye and was alone. I am rarely alone. Not even in the bathroom alone, and even if I am I can still hear the requests, demands and overall noise that is associated with young children.

The first thing I noticed was the silence. Eerie, yet comfortable silence. I knew my children were safe, and happy, and that made me happy....and very "free" feeling.  I entered favorite stores and spent hours just browsing. No real purpose, just enjoying the fact that I could. I parked my car and entered Starbucks, a luxury few people realize as getting kids out of car seats, crossing traffic and juggling hot coffee isn't as enjoyable as it sounds. I went to the mall and shopped for bras. A task I had been dreading and simply can't do with children in tow. Probably why I hadn't bought any since having said children.

With each passing hour, I felt more "free." The mommy cloak was being shed and more of me was appearing. By nightfall, I was goofy and care free, enjoying a romantic and fun evening with my husband. The kind that reminded me of how well we complement each other. The kind where even after 10 years of marriage, I find new ways to fall more in love with my best friend.

By morning, I awoke early and did grocery shopping. Not really as I had imagined, but it needed to be done. It was efficient and even enjoyable. I came home and walked three miles, another thing I just don't make time for when raising children. By 10 am I was feeling productive and fruitful. Dancing in my underwear, singing out loud and feeling like me again. I was ready to reclaim my children and give them the "me" that was momentarily lost. 

No, I hadn't done all that I imagined I would in those precious 24 hours. Not even a fraction of it. But I did something even better. I found me again. I found what makes me happy, what refills my soul. I found that I can't wait for help to be offered, but rather I need to ask for help more often. I need to offer help to other moms. I need to not lose sight of who I am and who I was created to be. It's not fair to my husband, not fair to my kids and not fair to me. 

It's amazing what a little time alone can do to a person. :) 

Summer Days

Today marks the first day of July and the official half way mark of summer vacation. It's hard to believe that already 1.5 months have flown by since Elliana's last day of school. It's even more hard to fathom the amount of fun and adventure we have cram packed into such a short amount of time. Listed below are just a few of our highlights thus far: 

 Sprinkler Fun

Oh, to have such joy over a sprinkler! LOVE their love for life!

 Creation Museum Petting Zoo and Botanical Gardens

GO Cincinnati Outreach Project - cleaning and organizing toys at a foster care 

      and planting flowers at the foster care home as well 

Hiking at Big Bone Lick State Park (on more than one occasion) 

 Findlay Market shopping with cousins and grandparents

Gymnastics!!! Both girls are enrolled and loving it! 

Weekend getaway to visit the Sutton Family in Chicago and get some much needed cousin playing time!

Strawberry picking and eating fresh from the plants!

Elliana's Dance Recital - 8 months of hard work!

 Day trip to visit College Roommates and play date with our kiddos

Baseball Game

 Splash Grounds and lunch with Daddy

Traveled to Maryland for a beautiful wedding, play time with cousins and a lovely new addition to the family! 

Enjoying the streets of Annapolis

Cutest Ring Bearer and Flower Girl EVER! 

My brother and new sister-in-law! So exciting and beautiful! 

Eager to welcome our newest family member! 

 Enjoyed a lovely tea party birthday! 

Rode a horse named "Dude"

Went hiking again....we really like to hike. 

 Annual Anderson Ferry Boat Ride to get ice cream with friends. LOVE this yearly tradition and watching our friends grow together!

Maya said good-bye to diapers!!!! Whoo-hoo!

It's hard to believe that 6 short months ago when we were snowed in day after day, I was worried about how I would fill the long unstructured summer days. Turns out, I seem to thrive on it. I am loving the ability to call up friends and plan pool days and not juggle around school schedules. I love that we can go to the pool and the movies and the park, all in one day. I love that we can sit and cuddle for hours on end with no where to go except wherever we want to go.

Our summer still has a lot of time left. Our summer bucket list still has a lot of items not yet done, and room to add new unplanned ones.

I feel like I should have a more poetic way to wrap up such an adventure packed entry, but one word just keeps repeating in my head. Gratitude. I am overwhelmed with gratitude at our many blessings. And so I must say Thank you. Thank you Lord for each and every experience we are blessed with, both good and bad for they are what make us "us". Thank you for this family, our friends and the ability for me to stay home with these precious kiddos each and every day. Thank you for a husband who keeps me grounded yet lifts me up each and every day. A man who still finds beauty in me when I skip a shower or hang out in yoga pants day after day (without ever actually attending any yoga classes). Thank you Lord for the adventures you still have planned for us, that we are not yet aware of. I pray that we have ears to hear you and courage to follow whatever you ask of us.

Bye Bye Diapers!

The day I had been dreading was finally here. The day I had postponed and built up in my head over and over again. The day of POTTY TRAINING!

Maya had been expressing interest off and on for a few months now, but we I never took her too seriously. We would occasionally put on her the potty and praise her efforts, never really knowing when to make it a full-time commitment. Well, I did know that it shouldn't be BEFORE the 9+ hour car ride we had scheduled for late June. So, I committed to myself that I would start the process immediately following that car ride. That meant Thursday. Like 5 days ago Thursday.

By noon on Day 1, after cleaning up three accidents and spending most of the day on the floor of the bathroom (coaxing, helping, wiping, cleaning up, reading and encouraging) I was seriously wondering why on Earth I felt the need to start this process now.

The day ended with three accidents and 7 successes. I was amazed at her determination and bladder control. Day 2- 2 accidents, 8 successes. Wow...were we really about to say goodbye to diapers?!

Day 3. 1 accident.

Day 4 - 0 accidents and dry overnight and nap diaper!

Day 5 - 0 accidents and a jam packed day at the museum and library!

It's bittersweet to no longer have to change diapers. More sweet than it is bitter. Bitter as I officially no longer have a baby in my family. We have this thriving, determined toddler who won't let size or age stop her from anything she has her heart set on.

I cherish the "potty dance" she does when she celebrates her achievements. The giddy yet humble smile she has when we make a big fuss over all that she has done. The incessant yet determined way she asks for her potty reward every single day. 

I love you sweet girl. We are so very proud of you and your latest milestone!