Walt Disney World 2012

Without really realizing it, we have created a family vacation tradition of going to Disney World. Our first time was with Elliana when she was just 15 months old. Elliana's laughter, excitement and growth on that short trip quickly made us realize that you can never be too young (or too old) for Disney World.

We returned again last year when Elliana was 2.5 years old, and again, we were swept away with the awe and magic of the vacation.

And so, we booked a trip again this year, with Elliana at 3.5 years and Maya just 6 months old. And again, it was a WONDERFUL vacation for all of us! I'll allow these few pictures to tell a thousand words :)

Elliana cuddling Maya tight on her first flight

Meeting the Fairy Godmother

Maya loving the Dumbo Ride

Elliana meeting her favorite princess, Rapunzel

Daddy and his girls

Family Photo with the Toy Story Gang

First day of school

Elliana, 3.5 years, 1st day of preschool

I knew this day was coming. Preschool. Three hours a day, two days a

week. An opportunity for Elliana to flourish with new opportunities,

new people and new experiences. It's a time when a mom should be

rejoicing, but I found myself full of anxiety and sadness. Never

before had my baby been away from me for so long at a time. We are

together all day, every day (a few dates with Hubby excluded) and the

idea of someone else influencing her for several hours at a time was

overwhelming to me.

Well, today was the day. Elliana awoke early in the morning, sometime

in the 5:00 hour, full of excitement and loudly pronouncing "My belly

tells me I am all done sleeping. It's time to get up." I suppose that

is a three year olds explanation of butterflies in her belly. :)

And so, I sucked it up. I held back the tears, put on my happy face

and celebrated the special day with my eldest daughter. And I am so

glad I did. For in her happiness, I gained happiness too. I know this

is a good opportunity for my precious little one and just the first of

many steps toward independence.

Happy First Day Elliana! I am so proud of you and the little girl you

have become!

Happy Little Girl giving Daddy a squeeze

Me and my baby!

Elliana and her best friend Jay eager to start school

When I picked her up from her classroom, I think she was excited :) 

Standing next to her Busy Bee

Indiana Getaway

A few weeks ago, we ventured to Indianapolis for the weekend. We had no real plans, just a hotel reservation and two happy little girls eager to stay in a hotel.  Elliana was thrilled to use the pool, even though we have a pool down the street that we frequently visited...just something more exciting about a pool in the hotel I suppose. 

Elliana ready to go swimming!

On our way to dinner, a nice couple stopped us and asked if we were going to the fair. "Um, what fair?" we politely asked. And they proceeded to tell us the Indiana State Fair was going on just up the street. And, they just happened to have tickets they weren't going to use. We happily accepted the free tickets and made plans to attend the fair the next morning. 

Happy Sisters ready for their first State Fair

 The fair was far larger than any of us had anticipated! There were rides, games, exhibits and venues covering several football fields in distance. One of my favorite exhibits was a little area called "Little Farmer" where kids worked a mini farm and milked a cow, sheered sheep, rode a tractor, collected eggs, and then "sold" them all to the farmers market to earn money to buy something at the local market. It was a fantastic idea and Elliana LOVED pretending to be a farmer.

Elliana riding the tractor as a little farmer

We did a scavenger hunt to find answers to Soybean trivia, earning us all free milkshakes (even Maya) whose I happily ate so she could enjoy some later ;) 

On our scavenger hunt, Daddy and Elliana posed for a few photos :) 

For a girly girl, Elliana sure did like riding on tractors and pretending to be in control of these massive machines! 

Little Girl, BIG tractor!

We even talked Daddy into a ride for him and Elliana (not that it was hard to talk him into it :), and boy did they love going high up in the sky on the giant Ferris Wheel.

Daddy & Elliana on the Ferris Wheel

And Maya and I just chilled while we waited for the big kids to return from their ride. :) I just LOVE those baby toes!!! 

After the ride, we played a game, where Elliana walked away with not one, but 5 toys! Talk about a good game!

Overall, it was an amazing weekend full of spontaneity, love, laughter and of course our little family.

The Girls posing in our car after the Fair. 

Jump, Jump

Last week, Elliana was yelling, "Jump, Jump" and Daddy cleverly introduced her and Maya to the 90's rap music of Kris Kross.

Unique Job - made just for me

I have a unique job. On call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, for the rest of my life. I have had every bodily excrement from another person on me at some point during this job. I have been lied to, kicked, hit and yelled at. I have had more sleepless nights than I can count, followed by non-stop busy days. And recently, I was promoted and have twice the responsibility I once had. Yes, I'm a mother. A mother to two beautiful, brilliant little girls. And, I wouldn't change a thing.

There are some days, when I have to consciously make the choice to be an "active" part of my role. Most days, the energy, creativity, patience, positive attitude and optimism comes easy. We fill the days with crafts, songs, activities and playing. The smiles of the girls fill my heart with joy and make every difficult aspect well worth it. Other days, I have to take a step back from the explosive poop, constant mess, cleaning, crying and whining and give thanks. Give thanks that I have been chosen to fill this unique job, this perfect role, in my daughters' lives. A role that no other person in the universe can fill, a role made specifically for me.

Today was one of those days. My youngest is challenging me with sleeping issues, and although my husband reminds me it is a short term phase, it sure doesn't feel like it. Granted, she is 4-months old and I fear my expectations for her to sleep through the night might be unrealistic. Given I know she has done it before (for several weeks at a time), I KNOW she can do it again. I struggle internally with how long to let her cry, when to go in, when to comfort and when to let her soothe herself. I lay awake at night, waiting for her to cry, hearing her cry, waiting for her to stop, and the cycle repeats. With each cycle, I beat myself up, doubting my actions or my lack of actions. No decision seems like the right one.

My oldest is up early each day with energy 9 pots of coffee couldn't provide me. Normally her energy is infectious, but with limited sleep, constant doubts of my ability, and the growing anxiety that some issues may never pass had me a bit incapacitated in the energy department today. Not getting the attention she clearly thought she deserved, my 3-year old decided to challenge me in more areas today. Nothing dramatic, just basic 3-year old attention grabbers. And so, today, I took a few moments (ironically while cleaning poop out of my daughter's hair) to give thanks.

I give thanks that these opportunities are given to me. I give thanks that I am the face that my girls see everyday, who helps them and challenges them, just as they help and challenge me (more than they will ever know). I give thanks that although I have doubts in myself, that my children don't have doubts in me. I am super woman to them. I can fix any toy, sew any dress, heal any boo-boo. It doesn't matter to them that my sewing stitches aren't straight, I over-use my hot glue gun, and buy stock in Band-Aids, to them, I provide what they need. I am demonstrating what they aspire to be, well Elliana at least who tells me daily she wants to be a Mommy when she grows up. I am their mother. And I am grateful beyond words for each and every opportunity laid out before me.