Max is off to Kindergarden tomorrow

Five years has gone by so fast since I had my little guy. I can not believe he's ready for school and that tomorrow is the day. The start of school is exciting and also sad for me. Once they start school they become a student of the big bad world, no longer only influenced by things I control. 

Max is excited and I think he's a little nervous too. But he will do great. I'm so glad he has his sister to go with him on the bus. Knowing he's in her hands and will be occupancied by her gives me real relief I just didn't have when Ellie started. Tomorrow will be a long day for both Max and me. 

He's come a long way to readiness in the past 6 months. Below is his starting point with letters. We didn't really get to reading, but he knows his letters, numbers and name. He also has a great curiosity and love to learn. He is a lot of fun and can be a great friend. It will be great.

Go get them my little sweet man! I love you to the heavens and back or ever. You are so special. Love from mommy!

Ellie starts second grade - August 24, 2015

About two weeks ago we drove past the elementary school on out way to a birthday party and Ellie excitedly cheered for her school! She was so excited at the thought of returning to school. My girl loves school and that makes me happy !

Today was her first day of second grade. She is not feeling great. She has a pretty hefty cold. Ellie is usually fantastic when she has a cold and doesn't let it get her, but this one had her in bed yesterday. Despite all this, she was off to school with a smile this morning.

She got up with a great attitude and got herself ready to go. She even enjoyed a dance party with Clair upon Clair's request this morning.  It's cute how much you love spending time with her little sister and having her little sister want to spend time with her. This is one of Ellies many great qualities.

I managed to make her her favorite breakfast this morning, pancakes with chocolate chips. She enjoyed only one of them because she didn't want to have an upset stomach or have to use the bathroom and go  "long potty" in school. SHe is so disciplined.

We didn't have time for a big photo shoot before we headed to the bus stop, but I did capture a few pictures. I kissed her and told her I was so proud of her and to go have fun.

Getting on the bus for second grade was phenomenally easier for Ellie and then it was even a year ago. She was excited about getting to sit further back in the bus this year. She likes moving up not being the youngest. I suppose that is all normal progressions in life and school.

I'm anxious to hear how her day has gone, but not the least bit worried. My girl will have another great year of school I just know it!

My boss

This little baby girl is officially the bossiest person in my life, other then maybe myself. 

This girl honestly wants to rule her world at two. Everything is to be her way- from who gets her up in the morning, how her teeth are brushed, clothes she wears, diapers that are to cover her little hiney, the cups she drinks from, and to where mommy sleeps at night time. She wants to do what she wants to do when she wants to do it with who she wants to do it with. 

Here are a couple examples of her opinions today:

- Mommy get me up

- I go to softball with you (said at nap time)

- mommy get me out of my high chair. Mommy get up off couch and clean me up. 

- mommy sleep in Clair's bed. 

- Clair sleep in Mommys bed 

Honestly, the only time it ends is when she is sleeping. Tonight it took her nearly 90 minutes to fall asleep. She sang to herself like a drunken soilder for over an hour after being displeased that I wouldn't lay down and fall asleep with her in her bed. 

Proud Mama

Today I was fussing at Ellie as I cleaned out her backpack from end of first grade. I could believe the mess. I wasn't very understanding about the sentimental value of it all to her. 

I dug deeper, trashed a lot, and washed it out. Later I was looking through the pile and found the below present for her teacher. 

I'm so proud of Ellie. The kind thoughtful words of her teacher speak volumes to who she is. 

Tonight I told her that she was a fantastic daughter and that I am sorry I don't say that enough. She was so happy. The joy on her face was clear. 

God please grant me the peace and consciousness to remind my children daily how proud I am of who they are today and how much I believe in who they will be tomorrow. 

I love you Ellie Grey!

The looks of Clair

I love the way my kids communicate with their eyes. At 2 years old Clair's ability to communicate in every sense is becoming well developed. 

Clair is determine. Clair wants what she wants, when she wants, and how she wants - which is usually doing it herself. 

At times when Clair is driving for something and is told to stop, she often keeps going and tries to complete the task quicker and more vigorously to get her goal accomplished. When I manage to stop her I'm often met with one of two responses:

1) a quizzical and demanding WHY

2) a death stare that is better then that of a developed grumpy teen.  As captured in the picture below when we made her sit down in her seat and wait. 

I've been dwelling on this evolution this weekend and realizing how ebtertained I am by her behaviors. She's adorable. I love her determination - except sometimes in the heat of the moment when I'm right and she's wrong. Ha ha. She amazes me. Her determination and belief that she knows best at two is quite well developed. I'm a little nervous and a lot excited to see where it takes her in her life. 

Two is very fun and challenging. 

Growing up

I had to take last grey to the vets today. I asked Ellie to come along to help calm lady grey in the car. She agrees excitedly and did a really wonderful job. When I hung up from my work call in w parking lot I looked back to find her reading peacefully to lady grey. I was really impressed with her kindness and her patience. 

She was very interested and very helpful at the Vets!

Be a good daddy

More then anything, I believe Max looks forwArd to becoming a Daddy. He talks about it a lot. He's always been really good with kids. He's sweet and it's obvious how amazing he thinks they are. I love this about my son. 

Yesterday after a time out because he was sneaky and repeatedly hiding things we were talking about consequences. I hinted at the idea of not letting him go off to kindergarten if he didn't prove to me I could trust him to make good decisions at school. He got really serious and really upset and said, " but then I won't learn things I need to know. And I won't ever be able to be a good daddy."

He truly believed this. It was so sad and heart wrenching. 

I tries to assure him that no matter when we let him start school that by the time he grows up and becomes a daddy I know he will be the best daddy in the whole world!

Love my Maxers!!

Happy nosey

Clair is starting to do a Lot of talking. Over the past months she has started with full sentences, singing, more complicated books, and even trying to tell stories. It's amazing to watch. 

Tonight as I was putting her to sleep and we were discussing which song was next she says, "happy nosey."

It took me about 5 seconds to succeed in guess that song. She's wanted "if your happy and you know it!"

3 and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie

Yesterday we went as a family to pick blackberries and peaches. 

First, we picked blackberries. Well, four of us pick blackberries whilst the littlest one walk around eating them from whatever source she could locate them. I'm still surprised she wasn't actually sick from the numbers she ate. She ate the black ones, and the sour Red ones because they look like raspberries.

We learned a lot about picking blackberries and the kids were really excited about it. Max enjoys blackberries the most. It reminds him of the little brown bear book.

We then decided to pick peaches. We ended up with half a bushel. It's extremely easy to fill up a box of peaches. Each of the kids really enjoyed it in their own ways.

At the end, as I was trying to take a few photos, clear began dancing through the peach orchard. It was adorable.

On the way home we decided that mommy should make a blackberry pie. Everyone was excited how it is related to the nursery rhyme. This morning, I made the pie.

Turned out beautiful. We ended up enjoying it at lunchtime. Everybody liked it except clear. She just prefers the plane berries.