Sunday, February 8, 2015

Typical Winter Day, Typical Fall Day



A day in the life winter-style...
Usually on the way to school, there's some comedy. 
It's all of five minutes so between silly glasses, singing, fighting, crying about something begin too tight and telling jokes, it's a quick trip.


Once there, she stashes her snack pack and takes off for the structure (Ford beats her to it everyday) for a few minutes of play before her teacher rings a sweet little bell and they line up, like Madeline. Just like Madeline. Except there are boys. 23 of them.
23 out of 30.
She might thank us in high school for this ratio, but it took a month for her to get used to it. Now, we're loving the small amount of drama with this group of sweet girls.


As we leave, Ford wall-walks, jumps and is right at home. He'll be ruling this place when it's his turn in two years. He can do more on that structure than our girl can. But then again, he's adventure boy.



Some days, we do crazy name banangrams. He's able to write his name now... but don't ask about the letter P. He's not so sure about how to do that one yet. 



Other days, we run errands where he climbs and shuffles and runs along any open space he can.


On days when he has school, he shows me his treasures after he runs at full speed down the slope (with all of us moms holding our breath that he doesn't fall), and then throws his arms around me. He's the best snuggler after school. 


And on another note, he now loves sushi.
Just like his sister.
#expensivehabit




Rewind....
Back in the fall,  there are shorts, braided hair and school was new and fun.



We were getting used to the snack pack everyday, the library book return every Friday in it's special bag (before Gunner literally ate it and we got to use the excuse that the dog ate her homework), the Friday Folders returned on Monday...


And whether fall, winter, summer or spring, there is always lots of talking, explaining and retelling...


With Ford acting things out behind...


Ford running ahead, Abby cruising along....

In the fall, Ford was obsessed with bare feet in the sandbox at Abby's school....


And most days we hit the park


...and this guy was so happy.


After school, there is usually a dog walk. 
When the days were still long and lovely, we could catch the sunset over the lake.
This was pre-Gunner!


And there was often snuggling before bed.
Sigh.
These days are starting to go fast.


And on the very best day of the week, on Sunday, when there is no school and no schedule, I get to watch my three favorites go into the Middle School....
for church. 



And after that, all of our hearts are full and we're ready to do it again.
All over again.


1319.  never asking "why do i have to go to school?"
1320. making friends
1321. sweet moms
1322. shoes that don't hurt





Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Soccer Transition to Bravery


Have I mentioned here that Abby's first soccer practice was riddled with tears? 

It was a rough go. 

But a few weeks later, she was out there warming up with the rest of them.
White shirt, center...


And doing "butt kickers" across the field (she just loves that Coach Chris not only says that, but lets her say it, too)...
Back of the pack...


And did drills...


And very often she was given a little wink from God that she was doing well as the sun went down in the summer sky.


She even played in torrential rain in November...fell down and almost scored her only goal.

And at the end of the year, Coach Chris...


and Coach Jeff...


awarded her the Bravery Award. 


I almost cried. 
No. I did cry. 
And it was beautiful.

1315. soccer culture
1316. bribery with ice cream
1317. the new globe light
1318. shoes off without asking


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Cookie Sales & Tahoe Flashbacks


This week, this little Daisy started her cookie sales. Cookie sales! I still remember walking my neighborhood as a Brownie, convinced we would get to Disneyland if I sold enough. It never happened. Not even close.  But this troop wants an iPad. So, 900 cookie boxes need to get sold.  It will never happen. Not even close. At least we'll have dashed dreams in the same department.

She was ready to sell as soon as she left her Daisy meeting. The next morning we hit the streets. Tip for new Girl Scouts - be the first one to sell in your neighborhood. Winner!



Ford, who sold with us, saddled up to a neighbor we'd never met while he was playing the keyboard. His wife was busy filling out the form, dropping a quick $25 on 5 boxes of cookies. 
Perhaps we should get a stand for our keyboard and let the boy go crazy.


Or we could let him be a professional scooter-er. But only while dressed as Spidey with super Kung-Fu moves. 



Long, long ago, last summer.... we went to Tahoe. 


The cousins got along so well...


There was corn shucking...


Short walks to the lake...


Long floats on the lake...


Rock collecting....


Sand castle making...


Kisses on the beach...



S'mores...


...and intimate sibling conversations in the sun.


Looking at these in the winter makes me yearn for summer! 
Hope you're staying warm! 

1312. heaven being 2 hours away
1313. hot water quick
1314. immune boosters
1315.  a mid-day run



Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Fordy's First Day of Preschool

Somehow (I blame the little people who have fried my brain) I failed to tell you about Fordy's first day of preschool. Or maybe I did tell you and I don't remember. Either way, you get to see it now! 

He literally ran out the door, ready to go. 


And after seeing sissy's photo shoot on her first day, this was his take on what he was supposed to do. Stand in front of the fountain and make faces. 
Hmmm. We're working on this...



He seems so old... and so ready to go.


So I  was so excited to hear today, while I let him brush my teeth for a minute, that he's never ever leaving me. 
 Me : You are really good at this. Maybe you should be a dentist.
Ford : Mom! You aren't listening to me! I'm not going to be a dentist! I'm never leaving you!

So, take note. No getting married and no dentist. 

I assured him he could stay with me forever but did need to get a job.
I'm sure that's the last we'll ever talk about that.




And by the time his first day was over, he had changed into his super costume ("It's just me, mom. I'm super but I'm not superman!") and we picked up Abby from school this way in case she needed help.


1308. plastic cups in the bottom drawer
1309. socks! shoes! 
1310. getting her own water
1311. impromptu sundae








Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Dirty, Exhausted and Happy


This was taken this summer, but was often my POV.
I'd look over while doing dishes and see this guy, trying to wash his hands without pants on. 
I mean, really?
Shoes but no pants. 
It was a daily occurrence.


The kids and I had a very hot (over 100 degrees everyday) but very fun experience at Base Camp, our church's VBS this summer. We got to know some families at church and spend time learning crazy hand moves to funny songs.  We were up early and by noon felt like we had lived 2 full days. 
Dirty, exhausted and happy.




Go team blue! Team Kinder was, by far, the most fun group. They kept up with the big kids, had good attitudes and worked hard. 


Putting the S (science) in BASE camp -- sweaty goggles while these kids made lava lamps.


And finally - the heat getting to them. 
Abby and cousin Abram.


This guy looked like this every day at noon.


Nothing like reliving summer memories as we head toward Thanksgiving!

1304. our church community
1305. deciding to serve
1306. feeling connected
1307. others filling in with abby when i couldn't