Today was my little man's first day of PreK, he has been waiting patiently for this day since my sweet pea started. He had his clothes picked out for the last two weeks and his bookbag hanging by the door, so when he awoke this morning he was super excited. Daddy made him his favorite breakfast. When we walked in, my sweet pea grabbed her little bro's hand and walked in with him, it was the cutest. We waited with him by his locker and then his teacher opened the door and my little man walked in and didn't even give us a last look.
When I picked him up, he didn't want to leave! I'm happy that he had such a great first day, but again it is a bittersweet moment for me. I held it all together till I got home to our empty house and realized that there is no noise...just quiet and then I had a little cry. The last of my babies is off into the world of school.
The other first today was my sweet pea lost her first tooth, it was one of her bottom teeth and it will probably show in her school pictures. She was so excited, comes running to me, "Momma...look, look at my tooth!" She had been wiggling it everyday since it became loose and she ate an apple for her snack when she came home, so I think she had been trying to get it out. So the tooth fairy will be paying us a visit tonight....Nana took her to get a little tooth pouch when it first became loose and so she has it in there. So, what do you do with those teeth? Does the tooth fairy save them or throw them away?
I think the tooth fairy will leave a little more this time around because it is her very first tooth, but it won't always be this way.
"And by and by Christopher Robin came to an end of things, and he was silent, and he sat there, looking out over the world, just wishing it wouldn't stop." - Winnie the Pooh
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Why does it have to be this way.....
I'm upset and I here I pretend to be okay, that it is okay when it is not, that I'm really laughing when I'm really crying. I don't know what else to do, minding my own business doesn't seem to work, so I'm really just dumbfounded.
All I know is that this isn't what I wanted - I would like to settle things because I'm not good with conflict or tension, but both have to be willing to meet halfway and unfortunately I don't think that will happen. My intuition is pretty good and I've ignored it several times because I hope things will change and it doesn't. No one wins in this fight and for some reason I guess I'm the only one who sees that.
And as I write this, it reminds me more and more of the Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith, I posted them once before, but I think now is a good time for a refresher and reminder....
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
All I know is that this isn't what I wanted - I would like to settle things because I'm not good with conflict or tension, but both have to be willing to meet halfway and unfortunately I don't think that will happen. My intuition is pretty good and I've ignored it several times because I hope things will change and it doesn't. No one wins in this fight and for some reason I guess I'm the only one who sees that.
And as I write this, it reminds me more and more of the Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith, I posted them once before, but I think now is a good time for a refresher and reminder....
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
It can't be Fall yet....can it.....
Our windows are open and there is that distinct smell in the air....you know the one you can breathe in, feel it and just know.....Fall is near. It seems too soon really and I'm not quite ready - do I feel this way only because the summer seemed to slip away before my eyes?
We were at the farmer's market and as we were walking my sweet pea stopped suddenly and grabbed before her toes a red leaf. She held it high up in the air and said you know what this means....the leaves are falling, so it's fall....HALLOWEEN!!!!
Yes, indeed the leaves are changing, but I can't shake the feeling that it just seems to soon - I wouldn't mind the cooler weather, but I don't want winter to come...I'm not at all ready for winter. So, Fall, if you could please stay with us and linger here with warmer days and cooler nights, I would so appreciate it, you did seem to kick our a** this past winter, so you kind of owe it to us...don't you think....
Fall is my favorite season and you just may find me....
sweeping the acorns and gathering acorns
taking nature walks to look at the changing leaves
wearing sweaters with shorts
roasting marshmallows
getting out my Halloween decor
melting old crayons
making piles of leaves
drinking hot tea (well that I do in any season)
drinking hot cocoa or hot apple cider
making/eating chili
playing
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." - John Muir
We were at the farmer's market and as we were walking my sweet pea stopped suddenly and grabbed before her toes a red leaf. She held it high up in the air and said you know what this means....the leaves are falling, so it's fall....HALLOWEEN!!!!
Yes, indeed the leaves are changing, but I can't shake the feeling that it just seems to soon - I wouldn't mind the cooler weather, but I don't want winter to come...I'm not at all ready for winter. So, Fall, if you could please stay with us and linger here with warmer days and cooler nights, I would so appreciate it, you did seem to kick our a** this past winter, so you kind of owe it to us...don't you think....
Fall is my favorite season and you just may find me....
sweeping the acorns and gathering acorns
taking nature walks to look at the changing leaves
wearing sweaters with shorts
roasting marshmallows
getting out my Halloween decor
melting old crayons
making piles of leaves
drinking hot tea (well that I do in any season)
drinking hot cocoa or hot apple cider
making/eating chili
playing
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." - John Muir
Now that's a challenge....
Update 9/10/2010: We have read 10 books thus far, so we have 90 books left....last night I read "Someday" by alison mcghee and peter reynolds and I swear everytime I read that book I cry. It's such a sweet and touching story...it is a definite "must" addition to any child's book collection. "Someday you will call a song to the wind, and the wind will carry your song away...." it's simply a lovely book.
We were getting ready for bed the other night and as I was laying with the kids, they were talking about when we read at bedtime and they typically get two books each, so four books at bedtime. My little man says, "you know momma let's read 100 books" and then my sweet pea added, "in 100 days." So I said, "let's do it!"
The kids giggled and thought I was being silly and I told them we will make it a challenge and see if we can read 100 books in less than 100 days (we are only counting bedtime stories). I think it will be a great family challenge and we will make a list of the stories we read....will we reach 100 books in 100 days? The kids were super excited that they came up with the idea.
Daddy said that he was so impressed with their idea that if we finish the challenge he will take them to the bookstore and they can pick out five new books....and considering that the kids love books....I think this will be an easy challenge, but who knows. The kids were worried at one point and my little man says, "but mommy tomorrow is Movie Night Friday, we won't get to read a book..." and I said, "well we can add a book before we start the movie." They both liked that and I was just happy that they want to add reading to movie night. My kids enjoy books and reading time, but anytime I can get more in or make it seem more exciting, is an added bonus.
I enjoyed reading as a child and have numerous favorites and when I get the time I still love picking up a book and getting lost.
So, if interested here was what we read tonight.....
Day 1: "Rainbow Fairies" by Charles Reasoner and "Lilo & Stitch: Doggone It, Stitch" from Disney's Bedtime Favorites (2 down and 98 books to go)
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss
We were getting ready for bed the other night and as I was laying with the kids, they were talking about when we read at bedtime and they typically get two books each, so four books at bedtime. My little man says, "you know momma let's read 100 books" and then my sweet pea added, "in 100 days." So I said, "let's do it!"
The kids giggled and thought I was being silly and I told them we will make it a challenge and see if we can read 100 books in less than 100 days (we are only counting bedtime stories). I think it will be a great family challenge and we will make a list of the stories we read....will we reach 100 books in 100 days? The kids were super excited that they came up with the idea.
Daddy said that he was so impressed with their idea that if we finish the challenge he will take them to the bookstore and they can pick out five new books....and considering that the kids love books....I think this will be an easy challenge, but who knows. The kids were worried at one point and my little man says, "but mommy tomorrow is Movie Night Friday, we won't get to read a book..." and I said, "well we can add a book before we start the movie." They both liked that and I was just happy that they want to add reading to movie night. My kids enjoy books and reading time, but anytime I can get more in or make it seem more exciting, is an added bonus.
I enjoyed reading as a child and have numerous favorites and when I get the time I still love picking up a book and getting lost.
So, if interested here was what we read tonight.....
Day 1: "Rainbow Fairies" by Charles Reasoner and "Lilo & Stitch: Doggone It, Stitch" from Disney's Bedtime Favorites (2 down and 98 books to go)
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss
Monday, August 30, 2010
A Opportunity at Hand.....
My husband learned yesterday that he was chosen to become a part of a young professionals group study exchange to travel to New Zealand for 30 days to study and observe his profession (environmental science) in New Zealand, he will learn and share best practices, network with other professionals in the same field. The program is sponsored by the Rotary Foundation and he had to obtain local sponsorship and then was interviewed by a 10 person panel.
I'm so proud of him! I will miss him greatly and have no idea how I will manage with two little ones while he is away. I think the longest we've been apart is two weeks, so this will be entirely new for us, but it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. I think it will definitely give him an idea as to whether or not he likes living in New Zealand because he will be there for a month. We will communicate via Skype and if there happens to be any great deals on flights, who knows maybe the kids and I will surprise him, but he will be busy the entire time, so even though the trip is sponsored, it is not a vacation.
I'm a firm believer that if something is meant to be, doors will open and I knew the moment I saw the posting for this opportunity that he would get it. I don't know how I knew, but I did and I had second thoughts about showing him because (selfishly he is returning to my home country without me and he is going for 30 days), but I knew better. And alas the door opened. After he got the call and told me, I happened to pull out the change in my pocket and I have no idea how it got in my pocket, but mixed with the change were two New Zealand coins....if that isn't a sign that good things will come of this, I don't know what is! Congrats my love! I'm so super proud of you, ROCK STAR!!!!
“Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals - Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want" - M. Sinetar
I'm so proud of him! I will miss him greatly and have no idea how I will manage with two little ones while he is away. I think the longest we've been apart is two weeks, so this will be entirely new for us, but it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. I think it will definitely give him an idea as to whether or not he likes living in New Zealand because he will be there for a month. We will communicate via Skype and if there happens to be any great deals on flights, who knows maybe the kids and I will surprise him, but he will be busy the entire time, so even though the trip is sponsored, it is not a vacation.
I'm a firm believer that if something is meant to be, doors will open and I knew the moment I saw the posting for this opportunity that he would get it. I don't know how I knew, but I did and I had second thoughts about showing him because (selfishly he is returning to my home country without me and he is going for 30 days), but I knew better. And alas the door opened. After he got the call and told me, I happened to pull out the change in my pocket and I have no idea how it got in my pocket, but mixed with the change were two New Zealand coins....if that isn't a sign that good things will come of this, I don't know what is! Congrats my love! I'm so super proud of you, ROCK STAR!!!!
“Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals - Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want" - M. Sinetar
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Don't tell anyone, but I'm really a fairy....
Yes, as I was driving I hear a small whisper in the back, "Bubba, don't tell anyone.......but I'm really a fairy....I'm just waiting for my wings," says my sweet pea. "How do you know?" responds my little man. "Because I asked the magic 8 ball," my sweet pea says in a matter-of-fact way.
I had to laugh so hard....I love listening to them and their imaginations play out like that and I know that in time that will slowly disappear.
I had a wild imagination and I love that my kids have one too, with your imagination you can go anywhere, be anything.
This week has been a "first" for my sweet pea...she started Kindergarten and had her first day of school and now she has her very first loose tooth! I can't believe she is loosing one of her baby teeth, she is growing and growing fast. I know I've said it before, but I really wish I could take these moments and tuck them away in my pocket.
As soon as I picked her up from school on Friday she says, "Momma guess what, it is the most amazing thing?" and I ask her what is going on. "You will not believe it, I was eating lunch and my tooth felt funny and I touched it and it WIGGLED! Can you believe it, my tooth WIGGLED!" "You know momma, what this means?" "The tooth fairy is coming!"
My little man will start Pre-K in about two weeks, he was pretty disappointed that he couldn't start when his big sister started, but he got to meet his teacher and his classroom is right across the hall from sweet pea's class, which is nice. He is pretty excited, he has his bookbag waiting on his door, his "new" shoes ready with socks tucked into them, and his new school outfit picked out. I'm glad he is excited, he is only going half-day, just like sweet pea did last year and I know he will have a great time, but it's bittersweet for me. I'm glad to see my little ones growing and developing and becoming these small little individuals, but I'm also losing my babies. Starting now, we will no longer be the biggest influence in their lives, at some point both will experience what it's like to be excluded or have their feelings hurt and they will learn about new things. They will forge new friendships and slowly begin to slip away. So savor your moments and enjoy the simple things.
"Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music." ~William Stafford
I had to laugh so hard....I love listening to them and their imaginations play out like that and I know that in time that will slowly disappear.
I had a wild imagination and I love that my kids have one too, with your imagination you can go anywhere, be anything.
This week has been a "first" for my sweet pea...she started Kindergarten and had her first day of school and now she has her very first loose tooth! I can't believe she is loosing one of her baby teeth, she is growing and growing fast. I know I've said it before, but I really wish I could take these moments and tuck them away in my pocket.
As soon as I picked her up from school on Friday she says, "Momma guess what, it is the most amazing thing?" and I ask her what is going on. "You will not believe it, I was eating lunch and my tooth felt funny and I touched it and it WIGGLED! Can you believe it, my tooth WIGGLED!" "You know momma, what this means?" "The tooth fairy is coming!"
My little man will start Pre-K in about two weeks, he was pretty disappointed that he couldn't start when his big sister started, but he got to meet his teacher and his classroom is right across the hall from sweet pea's class, which is nice. He is pretty excited, he has his bookbag waiting on his door, his "new" shoes ready with socks tucked into them, and his new school outfit picked out. I'm glad he is excited, he is only going half-day, just like sweet pea did last year and I know he will have a great time, but it's bittersweet for me. I'm glad to see my little ones growing and developing and becoming these small little individuals, but I'm also losing my babies. Starting now, we will no longer be the biggest influence in their lives, at some point both will experience what it's like to be excluded or have their feelings hurt and they will learn about new things. They will forge new friendships and slowly begin to slip away. So savor your moments and enjoy the simple things.
"Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music." ~William Stafford
Sunday, August 22, 2010
2922 days
is the number of days the hubs and I have been married or eight years. Eight crazy and wonderful years. Years one, two, and three were easy, four and five were somewhat trying as we were new parents and beginning to balance life as parents as well as each other. Six, seven, and eight have been good. Of course, we have bumps along the way, but every time I picture my life, it always includes my love.What an adventure life has been with him by my side - he completes me in many ways. My sweet pea asked if I would be wearing my wedding dress tomorrow to celebrate, I told her no and she said, "well wouldn't it be fun to put it on and then bubba and me can be there." I had to laugh and told her perhaps I'll slip it on for her.
I definitely wish I could recreate that moment, our wedding was filled with so much fun, laughter, love and wonderful friends and family. I wouldn't say it was fancy, it wasn't filled with excess, it was simple with our personal touch from the very beginning to the very end. We've said we will do some big party for Year 10 - so two years to save and plan.
I asked the hubbers would he do it over again to which he said of course and in a heartbeat...several minutes later I asked, "are you going to ask me?" He laughed and said, "I know what you'll say...hellll noooo." I reassured him that wouldn't be the case....I'd do it all over again too, no changes. I love our life, what we've accomplished together, our family and what we've yet to do.
However, I'm waiting for him to honor some of those promises he made...not the "to honor, to love, to cherish," but our early retirement, sitting on a sandy beach drinking vino and watching our children grow, but I suppose we've got the rest of our life.
Happy "I'd do it all over again" Day!!!! I love you endlessly
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