Turning into a bona fide teenager

Ellie has finally changed her fashion from T-shirt and shorts to some thing a bit more. She decided she was desperate to go shopping a couple days ago. So Sunday afternoon, after softball, we went to the mall to look at clothes at a few different places.

Ellie was happy as a lark looking through the different stores and picking things out. She definitely has an evolving style. It’s nice to see her enjoying these treats shopping as a young lady. It was nice spending the time with her. She would really appreciate of of it and told me so. I love my girl want to stay close to her and even grow closer to her during her teen years. I pray to God he helps me achieve that.

Here she is posing in one of her new outfits.

Ellie sure is a beautiful young lady!

Losing her front teeth

It’s always so exciting for the kids when they lose teeth. I think they like losing the teeth, but I know they like the money that comes with it. Clear foot with this front wiggly tooth for a good two days before it finally came out. Boy with his girl excited when she got it out. 

She left the cutest note for the tooth fairy. She asked the tooth fairy what her name was to draw her picture of herself. The tooth fairy left her seven whole dollars for her first big front tooth.

I called this one her nanny McPhee look!

Gramma’s Pumpkin Patch

My mom and Jorge grew an amazing pumpkin patch this year. This week mom said it was time to bring the kids over to pick their pumpkins because something was eating the pumpkins off the vines. She must’ve heard well over 100 ft.² of pumpkin vines between two different gardens. The kids had a blast picking pumpkins and gourds. Mom let them bring home an awful lot of them. It was a gorgeous fall afternoon and it was honestly the most relaxing hour of my day when we snuck away over there to enjoy the afternoon sunshine and pick some pumpkins. (It was in the middle of a very busy work day for me which was very stressful. Sun and fresh air always provide a better perspective. )

Unfortunately something weird happened to these pictures when I move them from one phone to the other. But they still remind me of the gorgeous day and the fun we had. So I am including them. 

Rubic cube obsession

Kids go through stages. We know that. About a month ago Meg started on Rubiks cubes. I am amazed at what he is a learned over the past month. He and Henry have both focused on learning tricks and how to solve tough cubes. The past two days max I’ve been working on solving one with 12 sides. I look at that thing and think it’s impossible but Max has nearly solved it. I am really proud of him.

He’s concentrating on solving the 12 sided one here. He’s so cute with that thinking tounge. 

Virtual Learning Update

Three weeks in the virtual learning and I couldn’t be prouder of the three children. Other than a good push in the mornings, they are handling most of this themselves. I am working crazy busy intense days starting at eight each morning. David stays home with them to make sure that gets started and then sometimes comes back for their lunch. Otherwise, they get through their day, doing their work, generally not fighting, eating when they need to, and being quite helpful.

I don’t know that they know I’m proud of them. I want them to know I’m proud of them but I don’t want them to take it easy with school. Mind you, I haven’t logged in and checked each persons grades yet. But they are handling this adjustment well. Clair really misses other kids. Max and Ellie are happy with the few friends in the neighborhood and being able to play with them each day.

Fall rec sports have started

Although school is virtual, we made the choice to let each child play a wreck sport this fall. It’s more important than ever that they get some time socializing with other kids. 

Ellie is playing softball and actually started Rec softball this summer after I decided to end the travel stuff during Covid. It’s been going quite well. In fact, yesterday evening she had her first ball out to the warning track in the outfield. She and I were both very proud of her.

Max is playing 11 U rec soccer. We moved from travel to rec this year hoping it was a better fit for his level of interest. He seems to be enjoying it! I have not seen any practices because David has been taking him, but he told me tonight he scored seven goals during practice. He seems really happy with it.

Claire started it you soccer tonight. She really had mixed opinions about it. This week she told me she didn’t like soccer and she didn’t want to play. But I told her it was too late and she was going. She decided to approach this evening with an open mind. I’m so proud of her for that because she really had a good time. She ran hard, she played great, she was a good teammate who wanted to high-five everyone (despite covid and the new rules her mamma forgot to tell her about), she learned two girls names, and she scored a couple goals! I managed a few pictures from tonight since I don’t coach soccer. 

And score!!!

Dancing in the puddles

Tonight we had big summer storms. Ellie and I came home after softball practice and running some errands and there were puddles on the floor of the driveway. She went inside put on my rain boots and came out side to dance in the puddle. She was adorable they’re in her softball uniform - black top and white pants with red socks - and her double French braid pigtails dancing and performing in the puddle with a smile on her face. I wish I could’ve taken a picture but I didn’t have my phone. I can only hope to remember that forever. I love to watch the kids enjoy the simple things in life.