First day of Sunday school

Four two years Max has been with me to take Ellie to Sunday School. I think this is why when I told him he got to start Sunday school himself this week, he was thrilled! It was so cute seeing how excited he was as opposed to being worried and not wanting to go like Ellie always was. 

When Sunday morning came around, he went to his class with excitement. Luckily it was in the room he's used to playing in, so he was right at home. 

The pride of being a big boy and getting to do some of these things like Ellie is truly priceless. I love my big boy. 

First Lost tooth

Ellie has been wiggling around a tooth for months. She finally lost it first week of August when we arrived at Connie and Toms while eating a snack. It was very exciting for her. 

She sent it away to the tooth fairy once we made it home. The tooth fairy left her a dollar. She was really excited. She ran down in the morning to flash me her dollar bill with pride. So cute!!

Being Clair's one

It is so evident to me and to others that I am Clair's favorite. She relaxes when I hold her, especially when shes tired and wants to sleep, its as if she gives a relaxig exhale and then just totally snuggles in. She saves her best smiles for me. She even gives me laughs for just looking at her and making attempted funny sounds. It's awesome!!!!

I don't remember having this effect on Max. I think that may have been because I went back to work so soon and Hazel was with him all the time. As for Ellie, that was so long ago that I don't remember ( which is very sad to me).  In any case, I wish I could preserve the way she looks at me, the way she relaxes when I take her into my arms for a snuggle or the way she lays still and relaxes when we snuggle in bed. All of these pleasures are so real and so fleeting as time passes so quickly. I pray I can cherish this forever. I love my little girl and I love being her person right now!  

She's four months old!

Brotherly love

Max loves Clair so much. Being able to hold her or touch her always guarantees a smile on Max's face.  Today after nap e held her for a few minutes and this is the only time he will hold still and smile for a photo. He's so proud of being a big brother too. His love is so real for her. It melts my heart.

School day 3

Though I still miss my girl, and wonder how her day is whenever I think about her, it was easier today to let her get on the bus and go to school. That mail so have something to do with the fact that she was less worried about it and actually ate a half decent breakfast too. I am thankful for a smoother morning. I am hopeful this will get easier, and logically have no doubt that it will.

Max even had a little fun at the bus stop. He decided to take his big soccer ball with him. The big boys wanted to play. Max thought that Was a lot of fun.

Something new

I'm trying to figure out how to get Clair to sleep past that magical 4 am wake up. So, Clair tried a little cereal last night. I don't think any made it down, but she was very excited about it. 

Max was with me and excited for her. He wants this picture. He looks like such a big brother. 

Trying to enjoy last few days on summer

Ellie had yesterday and today off at school, before the full kindergarten resumes tomorrow. So we all went to the park this morning, hung out and had a picnic lunch. Trying to let the kids enjoy their last few days together.

It amazes me that once I set a blanket on the ground they prefer to lie around initiate and climb on the playground like they normally do. It Sort of makes me smile.

Kindergarten - first bus ride

This morning I put Ellie on the bus for the very first time. I'm not sure which of us was more nervous. But we made it through without any tears from either party. I believe this is due to the kind heart and leadership of a fifth grade girl in the neighborhood who introduced herself Ellie and told her along, showing her the ropes. I couldn't even see my baby's face as they pulled away, Max and I were standing there vigorously waving at her. Now I wait eight hours, wondering what she's doing and hoping to have a good day. ( tears now)

No doubt my Ellie will be fantastic in school and will have a great time. I know it's a good thing for her. But it is hard to go.

Kindergarten Orientation for Ellie and me

Today was the day that I got to take Ellie to school to meet her teacher and explore her new school. We were both very nervous, but I tried to be an excited as we galloped from the parking lot into the school. 

We found out way to her class, although it wasn't even labeled. We found her locker first and that was a bit exciting.  We walked into the classroom and found her seat. She was very quiet through it all. We waited our turn to say hello to the teacher. Ellie was brave enough to introduce herself. I was proud of her. Then her teacher asked her to do the scavenger hunt, so we did. This went okay, but she was still very solemn. At the end, she got a treasure, which she didn't like because it wasn't pink ( sun glasses).  SHe turned a bit sour on me at that point. She didn't want to talk to anybody and was ready to go home. She saw something that looked like fun so I let her play in there pretend kitchen for a while. And this seemed to turn things around.

After that, she spent some time exploring the library in her classroom and doing some reading. This was a good transition. Ellie suggested it was time to leave. So we left the classroom and said goodbye to her teacher. Then we stopped in the gym and this is where the magic happened. She decided to run around the gym and do a bunch of ground Gentes. She said this is like dance. She loved that room. She began to see the Granger in the school and wanted to check it out. So we did!

We visited the library where Ellie found cool bean bag chairs and a book she loved. We sat down and read together. Then we explored the rest of the school and ended up at her classroom again. We also went to find the art room. Ellie was very exited each step of the way. 

By the time we were leaning she announce this school was awesome and it was her best day ever! 

Here's hoping Monday goes well for both of us as this is all new for me too. 

Ellie fun with self portraits

I had PT the other day. Ellie went with me. I gave her my phone and she was perfect. After playing the cookie game for  a while, she started taking photos- dirt of his sister, then me, then herself. The progression of the self portraits was awesome!

My baby

I love to hear Max refer to Clair as "my baby." He does this all the time and it is so sweet. His love for her is evident in his smile each time he touches her or talks to her. She lives to kiss her and rub his cheek on her head. He holds her any chance he gets. He's a sweet boy who loves his sister very much!

Last day home with all three

Today was my last day to spend being a stay-at-home mom with all three kids. Ellie starts kindergarten on Monday. It is hard to believe. I return to work full time in a month, sadly. 

To enjoy the day we did storytime at the library and then I decided to squeeze in a picnic at the park. It was such a gorgeous day that being outside seemed mandatory. The four of us really did quite well together today.

The picnic went well, we had collected food at the grocery store just prior. Clair even enjoyed laying on a blanket just looking at the sky, and the trees, and the kids. It was a relaxing hour. There were no tears. Perhaps, that was because I promised a  treat on the way home if there were no tears.

I am thankful for this time. Next to me tonight he does not want me to go back to work. I told him I surely understand. Being home with the kids during this time is wonderful, even on the bad days. 

Sleeping beauty

Things were a little bit hectic at bedtime tonight. I changed Clair into her pajamas and left her in her crib to play knowing she was safe there. I was running about dealing with a couple things, and when I came back my big girl had rolled over and gone to sleep. It is amazing to have a kid that can do that. She also did this last night around the same time on her play mat. She's a cutie and I love her very much!

Rollie poley

Tonight at 3 1/2 months Clair finally rolled her properly grow himself over. She did it four times in a row before being bored of entertaining us. Each time she received around of praising clapping from mommy, Ellie, and Max. It was quite exciting!

Beach 2013

We've been here now three days. The kids are enjoying themselves with their cousins tremendously. Ellie is quite exhausted as she's spending all day on the beach with Erika for the first time in her life. I think they are really bonding on the trip. Max is enjoying himself with lots of digging and just going with the flow to enjoy the busy times and excitement. Clair and I are making it, though she's prefer to jut be home doing we normal routine with familiar things and have mommy all to herself. I hope David is having a good time. I'm a bit exhausted by this trip honestly. I'm thankful we are with Katie and mom. 

I want the family to have these trips and I only hope that in future years in able to relax and play a bit more. This time I feel I'm always on call waiting for the next time in needed. I'm definitely feeling overwhelmed. I only hope this week is worth it to the kids. 

Baby clothes be gone

It seems like I am constantly finding clothes in the drawer that no longer fit each o my children right now. However for Clair, it seems with each outfit gone into the good will pile I feel a sense of loss. I love my children and I can't believe that I won't have any more newborn babies. It makes me sad to think about. 

Tonight Clair is wearing one of the one piece suits Ellie had as a baby tonight and its a right fit. This will be its last wear for the Cummings family. 

Look at me mom!

Clair started grabbing at toys above her head a couple days ago, maybe a week. Today she has proven she can ask a hold and shake a toy. She was proud of herself. She was watching herself move the toy. And, she has adopted on her face a few times two.

A little bit of heaven

Is nursing your baby to sleep while listening the waves crash on the shores below. 

It's a gorgeous sunshine day at the bayside. Jets have started their flights, as its Monday. Clair is back to sleep beside me. And I hear others in the house starting to rise! It's a glorious day on vacation!