Take Us Out to the Ballgame!

A few weeks ago, we were blessed with four free tickets to the local baseball team. Not only were we blessed, but my sister was too, allowing us to sit  up close and personal with some of our favorite people. I'm not sure why, we live so close and our kiddos really get along, and she is my sister....but we just don't see each other as often as we would like. Work, school, activities, volunteer, parties, basically...life gets in the way. Well, not that day! 

Our seats were amazing. Third base line, beautiful sunny day, surrounded by loved ones. Within a few minutes seconds of sitting in our assigned seats the complaints about heat, boredom and how much longer began. 

I tried to ignore it. I really did. I tried to distract. I tried to reason. Nothing was working. More complaints. Then, something amazing happened. Music started playing, people were dancing, and my little complainers were up out of their seat, mesmerized by the energy and excitement all around them.  

The cotton candy vendor came, which my sister graciously shared with my kiddos, and just like that.... the heat no longer seemed to matter, though it was still in the mid 90's. The bright sunlight no longer seemed to beat down on us, but merely made us appreciate the blue sky, and the home-run fireworks. Somewhere in that few minute window, our perspective and attitude changed. All was right in the world.

We snacked on goodies and taught our two year old the joy and skill to crack a shelled peanut and throw the shell on the ground. We sipped on sugary fruit drinks I had packed and used licorice to kiss like the Lady and the Tramp movie. We danced in our seats to different songs and even jumped up and down trying to win a free t-shirt (if you don't know me well...I will do a lot of goofy things for a free t-shirt).

After a few innings and a few too many fireworks (Maya didn't care for them) we toured the stadium. 

We met some unusually tall people. :) 

 We snacked on more than our fair share of ice cubes. 

And we ran the bases and took in some batting practice. 

Batter Up! 

 We even got to meet the mascot! Well, almost. 

All in all, it was a wonderful evening. I can't really tell you what the score was, or even who won that day. I can tell you that we experienced happiness and joy in just being together. In trying new things, in being "uncomfortable" (in the heat, sun, overall unfamiliarity of it) and making ourselves comfortable in spite of it. With each new experience we grow and learn....even a local baseball game!

A New Chapter Before Us : School Days?!

I blinked and it happened. My baby graduated from preschool. It seems like just yesterday I was praying daily that my baby girl could thrive in an environment outside of my control. Preschool was the first time Elliana had ever NOT been with me, and now, in the blink of an eye her preschool days are over.

First Day of PreSchool 2012

First Day of School 2013

Kisses for big Sister on First Day

 Four days a week, four hours a day, 16 hours a week. September through May. Preschool was a huge part of our lives! And then, one day, this photo came home from school and it hit me. A new phase of our life was beginning. Full of unknowns, unpredictables. Full of Mommy anxiety, fear and worry.

I have to remind myself of those worries and fears I felt two years ago when Elliana first left my side and entered the world on her own. I have to remind myself of the beautiful growth school and change has brought her.  An opportunity to develop her own personality, her own friends, her own passion for things, rather than the ones I'd helped develop in her. By giving her freedom to be on her own, she has truly flourished and matured. This past year, Elliana has come home reciting bible verses, speaking Spanish and drawing pictures of Heaven in her free time.

 I prepared myself to be an emotional mess at the graduation ceremony, a reminder of just how fast time is going and how I no longer have a little baby. Instead, I beamed with pride as my now 5-year old sang a song in Spanish, counted to 25 in Spanish and confidently recited a bible verse.

 During the ceremony, each and every child was asked one question. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Of the approximately 80 children interviewed, my sweet Elliana was the only one to answer, "A Mommy" and the audience said "Awwwww" in unison.

Receiving her diploma

I don't know what the future holds. I don't know what elementary school days will bring and I certainly can't allow myself to fathom the thought of junior or high school yet. I do know, that Our God is great. He loves my girls more than even TJ or I, and that alone calms me in my fears and worries about what lay ahead. I know that through change, Elliana has matured and grown. This reminds me that with future change, all will be blessed as well.

Post Ceremony Pic of the Family

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

Maya - 26 Months

It's been a while since I've done an update, and Maya is changing and growing so fast I feel I'll miss something if I don't document this abundance of cuteness. 

 Maya, your sense of adventure way beyond your age! You scale playground equipment and obstacles designed for children at least twice your age, all with no hesitation or request for help. 

On vacation last month, you insisted on riding the big wheel and kept saying, "Maya do it! No scary!" Browsing through tourist brochures you would find "the wheel" and get so excited announced, "I DO IT!" And sure enough, we did it...and you LOVED it. Just like you said you would. 

Playing dress up and princesses...one of your favorite activities.  You twirl, spin, dance and climb until you announce you are dizzy, and then you do it all again.

 You are still in love with your ba-bah (pacifier), and it has quickly become your best friend with the recent arrival of your molars. It's been a rough few weeks of painful molars and a small stomach bug has allowed you to have your friend during waking hours as well as nap time. 

Naps are hit and miss, napping only 3-4 days a week. You still sleep in a crib, but have made several requests for a big kid bed. On a recent trip to the Smoky Mountains, you passed out in the hiking backpack, and were so stinking cute I couldn't help but take more than a couple of photos. :) 

Tonight at bedtime, you asked to say the prayer. This has happened before, but then shrug your shoulders and say, "Don't know how." Tonight though, you thanked God for healing your boo-boo. You thanked God for your family. You told him you loved him. Oh how my heart smiled. 

I love that when  Daddy or I say, "I love you", you smile and say, "thank you." You love your gymnastics class, and giddily call it "nastics". You tumble and attempt cartwheels all week long in preparation of your 45 minute class. This past week, Daddy was even able to come, which you beamed and talked about all week! 

A few funny facts about you at the moment: 

You are crazy fearless, unless a butterfly is involved....then you cling to me like crazy 

 You eat ice cream cones backwards. It creates a big mess and bigger laughter. 

 3. You are IN LOVE with your sister. Randomly you run up to Elliana, and hug her and yell, "Nani, sisters!" You two are always together, hugging, running, jumping and even fighting. You truly do love one another! 

 4. You say my name is "Mommy Ashley." Not sure where you picked it up from, but it's cute and it's all you. 

5. After getting a blister on your foot two weeks ago, you now insist on wearing socks. At all times. Yes, even in the shower. The boo-boo has healed, but those socks remain on. Full on tantrum when we try to remove them! 

Mission Cute Outfit- Cheap : Mission Complete!

So, I admit I am a bit addicted to having my kids look cute. I wasn't always this into it. In fact, I vividly remember when I began going into department stores with the intent to purchase NEW clothing for Elliana, who was then 2.

Up until that point, 99% of her clothes were hand-me-downs, garage sale purchases or gifts from friends and family. With only one income, I was grateful that we never needed to purchase new clothes as they were expensive, and worn for such a short time.

Shortly after Elliana turned 2, the possibility entered our world of not being able to have additional children, and something switched inside of me.....I was missing out on an opportunity to dress my kids the way I wanted them...not they way other parents had wanted their kids as Elli frequently wore their old clothes. I walked into Gymboree, the store I had only window shopped until that point, and dropped $30 with NO guilt attached (if you know me at all, you would know that ALONE is a BIG DEAL!).

Fast forward a few years and we were obviously blessed with another little girl to raise. I still like a good bargain or garage sale and will always take hand me downs too, but I have learned to appreciate the chance to purchase something new for my own kiddos.

I walked into Gymboree a few weeks ago and fell in LOVE with this yellow butterfly shirt. I don't know why, but I instantly envisioned her wearing it to the annual Butterfly Show. The shirt was $20 but with coupons and sales, I was able to score it for $4. Just in my price range!

Well, to match the shirt was a super cute skirt....that was not on sale. In fact, it was rocking a $30 price tag. And, I just can't do that.

Super cute, but expensive skirt! 

So, I ran to the fabric store, ransacked my scrap stash and started feverishly working on a patchwork skirt to match. I think I spent a total of $6 in fabric for the skirt and have enough left over to make a matching one for Maya too. I consider that a good use of resources!! 

I had lots of little helpers on my sewing table and on my lap, so I admit the majority of the work was done once the kiddos were in bed. BUT, I do love their excitement for helping and learning the art of making clothes. Even though, I myself, am still learning.

After a week or so, the skirt was complete! In all honesty, I finished hemming the skirt the morning of the butterfly show as I was cutting my deadline close! But, it was all worth as I sure did have a happy little girl on my hands! 

Final hem added and ready to leave! 

I am so happy with how it turned out and am beyond grateful that Elliana is as excited about me making something as I am!

The skirt is very full and twirly which as so cute as she jumped and twirled in delight after her first butterfly! 

Her first butterfly encounter of the day!

If you look closely, a butterfly has landed on her skirt :)  

A Frozen Craze

If you are anything like me, and have a young girl (or girls) in your family, you probably have seen the movie Frozen. Actually, you have probably seen it about 10 or 100 times.

We don't watch the movie too often, we listen to the music a little more, but we hear Elliana singing it almost constantly. If she isn't singing a song from My Little Pony, or the latest bible song from school, the Frozen soundtrack is on repeat, via Elliana, at our house.

So as I sit at my desk at work, work around the house, shower, and sleep, I hear these songs constantly. I'm the dad. I'm the manly one. Right!?! Yeah right! I have two daughters. I'm more the who you'll find dancing ballet style to "Let it Go" in the kitchen with my little ladies.

In honor of this craze around our house, Elliana has put together her own compilation of "Let it Go" (or Frozen in her words). Enjoy! (Maya added her own little charm)


She did pretty good considering she was just listening to the instrumental version. Actually, she has wanted to rerecord to make it perfect, but we all need a little imperfection sometimes, don't you think?