Playing the Sax

Ellie doesn't practice the saxophone much. But, like many things she does, she has an amazing skill of really doing a great job with very little practice.

Today I was admiring from a far how great the tunes sounded coming out of the saxophone having not heard it for weeks at home. She really is amazing when she decides she wants to do something!

A very busy fall

Another two months has gone by without me writing anything. I am always disappointed in myself when this happens. It doesn't mean that there are not memories I wish to preserve forever, it only means that life has been so busy that I haven't had time to breath more less think about writing.

Halloween was another success. The bigger kids were missing the old neighborhood a lot and wishing we would go back there initially, but they ended up meeting up with people in the new neighborhood and having fun. Ellie was a spirit, and wanted to be something much more gruesome. Max was a ninja again, this time a real one instead of a Ninjago one. Clair was Poppy Troll from the recent movie and was adorable.  Max and Ellie ran around fast with friends and were hard to keep up with. Clair took her time. She even enjoyed riding between houses in the stroller. I have a feeling that will be my last stroller Halloween.

November proved busy with work trips, a family trip to Disney and Ellie turning 10. I've now been a parent for a decade, one quarter of my life. However, as hard as that is to believe, life pre-parent feels extremely distant. My work trip to London in November was a success at home and abroad. I won an industry award and David and the kids did great without me at home.

The family trip to Disney was compliments of Great Grandpa and Gramma to celebrate his life with the grandkids. Katie and her crew went. Connie also joined us a bit as well. It was a lot of work and the kids really had a good time. I did manage to capture some photos from that event. I will attach them at the bottom. Each kid had special things they enjoyed and moments of frustration, as did the adults. Disney is hard work, but I am thankful for the time we had.

I rang in December with a 10 day trip to London for work. This was the longest I had been away from the kids. I was nervous, but we all really did well. David and the kids were champs at home. Clair really let me know she missed me and was unhappy with me. I did read her a story over facetime and that helped one evening. I came home better rested then I've been in a decade. The kids had a good week with Daddy and they had established some of their own more relaxed routines.

Once back home I rushed to prepare for Christmas in the midst of all the activities. Max is doing baskeyball this fall. He is playing on a team. He's not loving it, but we want him to have the ability to play a sport if he wants to. It's such an important social skill in the US and especially for boys. I hold hope he will pick something up. Max has also recently started drum lessons and is doing very well with them.

Ellie is still taking Piano lessons, she has also joined the chorus at the school and is taking saxophone lessons at school as well. Her music inclination and skill continues to grow. It has hit a hiccup when her piano teacher left the school and she has had to find a new one. We are on our third one and I'm hoping she can pick back up with Allie, but we both miss Ms. Nancy. She had a way with Ellie and she was really pushing through things. Ellie is now trying to learn Pachabell's Canon in G. It'ws not an easy song and she is working hard at it. She still loves to play something daily and I'm so happy to see her picking up singing again.  Her holiday concert at school was cute. Thankfully Grannie was in town to see it as well.

This fall Ellie also entered two extra contests at school with success. She entered the art contest, reflections. Her work was one selected to be sent off to the county to participate in the broader context. We are waiting to hear back about that. She also entered a poem and a short story into a writing context at the school. Her short story one first place in the school and was sent out to the county contest. It was really amazing. She writes with such detail and description. She really does excel in writing and reading.

Clair has also started doing dance on Monday afternoon's. She is in preschool 3 days a week and just loves going to class and being busy. She is enjoying her dance class which is both tap and ballet. This is something she's wanted to try for a while. it's a small class and she's picking up a lot. I enjoyed parent observation day with her a week ago. She kept her eye on me during her show to ensure I was watching her at all times. We went out to McDonald's for cheeseburgers after the show to celebrate and have a special lunch together. She is such a joy to spend time with at this age. She tells me often I'm the best! We enjoy each other a lot at this stage in our lives.

This brings us to Christmas. Ellie is 10. Max is 7. Clair is 4 and a half, which matters at this age.
Ellie had gotten what she wanted for her birthday, so her Christmas list was not too elaborate. She wanted Harry Potter stuff, Rocks and squishies. Max wanted a lot of Pokemon cards and Ninja-go stuff, along with about half of everything else he saw in the toy magazines we had him look through. Clair was the same; everything looks like fun and she wants it, but especially Peppa Pig, which is still her favorite in the whole world.

They all got a lot of stuff. We spent 4 hours in a present opening marathon on Christmas morning. Grannie has joined us for Christmas for the first time since Max was born. The kids have loved having her here. I hope that as they age they can continue to appreciate all she does for them and really spending time with her.

Katie and the kids have joined us for the week. they will be at mom's but we will get to spend time with them. I have 5 more days off before returning to work. I'm still stressed out a bit, but not as much as I am when working. I hope that during 2018 I can continue to spend time with the kids and find a level of peace and sanity that allows me to be the mom they need. This is my continual wish and hope.

Ellie is brilliant, athletic, can be so helpful, a good cook, an artist, great musician, and generally good at everything she tries. Max is funny, he can build anything, he has so much energy, he plays great with Clair and really loves interacting with other people.  They are both doing very well in school this year. Ellie's teacher is harder on her then any she has had, and she's still rocking it. Max's teacher really is great for him this year. She appreciates what he is good at and also wants him to focus on the couple things that will go a long way in helping make life better. I am so thankful for Miss Smith this year.

Clair is busy, she knows what she wants and doesn't usually stop until she gets it, she is smart and focused on counting, adding and spelling these days. She's very creative and spends a lot of time making up elaborate stories with her various dolls, houses, cars, and legos.

As I move into the new year, I will do my best to keep this blog up to date. I love to write the stories down and see them printed out each year. The yearly prints keep getting shorter and shorter, but life keeps getting equally more complex. The kids are a hoot and the loves of my life!

Reflections from a quiet house

Yesterday morning we dropped Ellie, Max and Clair off at Gramma's for a sleepover. David and I met up with Rachelle and Donnie to enjoy some Maryland wineries. We proceeded to enjoy a nice relaxing evening locally. The kids were so excited for their sleepover and seemed to have a great time when I spoke with them. We were happy for the quiet time and the day out.

By bedtime though, I really missed them in this big quiet house. I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself. Before I went to bed, I really missed kissing their little faces. David admitted missing them too. This big house is too quiet without them.

The morning was more shock of a quiet house. No one came in to tell me what time it was (Max) or called me from their bed claiming they needed Mommy or they needed to go potty (Clair.) It was strange as I pulled myself up and wondered downstairs still in my PJs and turned on the Today Show for the first time in I'm not sure how long.

I enjoyed getting to focus on making myself a nice healthy breakfast. When I sat down to eat it at the table alone, I realized how much the chaos of the busy breakfast has become my norm. Of course it is nice to focus on myself for a day, but I am so grateful for the many years ahead of me where they will sit and eat with me. They will laugh, giggle, fight, make messes, and tell me how much they love me all in one big noisy morning routine.

I cleaned the kitchen and have generally felt an overwhelming amount of free time on my hands for a Monday morning at this point. I'm looking forward to the returning chaos later this morning. I'm sure they enjoyed their time with Gramma. I'm glad that they had it. I love that they spend time with my Mom. I appreciate that missing them allows me to appreciate them even more.

This afternoon we will attempt to appreciate the eclipse without the viewing glasses. I didn't manage to pay attention to this all soon enough to purchase the proper viewing glasses. David made viewing boxes with the kids this weekend. We will use them and watch the NASA video. Stumbling through their childhood, I hope they can appreciate the ups and downs of the success and failures we have had as parents raising them. I guess it's not failures, but sometimes we get it righter then others. Always, they are loved and appreciated. Looking forward to having them back tonight and tomorrow morning for many years of chaos to come!

Another softball season

Three years ago I embarked on a journey with Ellie that I could not have ever imagined. She signed up for softball with Erika, at the urging of Katie. And in that, I became an assistant coach. I wasn't a stellar athlete, but I do love sports. Teaching young kids to do anything is hard for me. I'm not a patient women, but the girls have taught me a lot over the years. I have also learned a great deal from a couple coaches along the way as well. To be a good coach, is sort of like being a good manager, you don't have to be awesome at the task. Instead, you have to help others do better and improve themselves. Over the 6 seasons of softball I have met dozens of girls. I have had my favorites. I especially enjoy the ones who truly love playing the sport and whose parents have raised them to be coach-able. They listen. They try hard. They bring a positive attitude to the practices and games. They cheer on their team mates.

I've read reminders to parents on facebook and such that your child's performance on the field isn't a reflection of you as a person, but whether your child is coach-able, has a positive attitude, encourages their team mates and tries their best most of the time, this is a reflection of your parenting, your family values and who you really are. I believe this to be so true.

I will do my best to teach these things to my kids. This experience has helped me with parenting, I hope.

Ellie says she will not play again in the fall. I'm sad to see this journey coming to an end. I truly do love being on the softball field, being outside in the fresh air. I love the sound of the ball hitting the sweat-spot of the bat and I love the grin on the face of a young player when they master a skill and show that in a game with an amazing catch or great hit. The smiles are worth it!

Ellie can play ball when she wants. She is an athlete with great hand eye coordination, speed, and capability. I hope that she continues to enjoy sports and a healthy life style that includes being active for her whole life. I hope that she has some positive memories of our time together on the softball field. I am grateful to have learned that stepping up to be a coach doesn't mean you are the best player, it just means you are willing to do your best and try to help the kids succeed. We all have something we can teach the kids. I believe it takes a village. I am truly thankful for the supportive parents along this journey that have made things work, as they step in for concession, umpiring, assistant coaching, car pool, organizing the bench and all other activities along the way.

This has been fun. I hope to get a chance to do it again sometime.

Mommy and daughter weekend at the beach with friends

This past weekend Ellie and I went away with several mom's and their 3rd graders for a weekend at the beach. This was a new adventure for both of us. We were both a little nervous. We tried to go into it without a lot of expectations and that worked out great. I think we both really had a nice time. We got to know some friends and neighbors better and had fun with each other as well. It was pretty relaxing.

The girls really enjoyed the fun times together.

The moms also enjoyed some relaxation in the sun, on the boardwalk, at dinner, games, and even wrapping up the night with a big puzzle.

I appreciate the time together with Ellie and new friends. It was great to have this opportunity. I don't prioritize friendship enough with everything else at this stage of life. I am very thankful for it though.

Growing and growing, it's good, I know

Clair turns 4 in a month and a half, she comfortably wears size 5/6 clothes at this point. That size is really not little girl clothes anymore. She is starting to get into big girl stuff. I find myself having to retire favorites that have been a part of the clothes rotation between Ellie and Clair, and even Max sometimes for 5 years.

This morning I dressed Clair in these little brown corduroy pants that I knew were too small, but they have been so cute on her for about 2 years. She complained, "These are the ones that make my underwear push into my bottom Mommy."  Okay, darling, I guess it really is time they go into the donate box, and on they go. She is comfortable, and I tuck those cute little pants into a box in the closet, a very big and full box of things that show the baby stage and toddler stage of my life and my children's life is really something of the past.

I have 3 big kids. I have one who borderlines a teenager sometimes. Max, he's happy being a little boy still, and also has his preferences for clothes. And the baby, she's really not much of a baby anymore.

This morning Facebook showed me a picture of Max's Baptism Day 6 years ago. He was such a handsome little fellow, and he still looks the same today. They are growing, as they should. I love them so much. I do know I will long for the days they were little cuddly babies in my arms, where we snuggled with blankies, bottles, pacifiers and books. That was the stage I always wanted growing up. I sure did enjoy it. It's sad admitting they are in the past. But, I wouldn't want it any other way. I am grateful for the journey being their Mom!

Hanging out with Ellie

I try to spend time with each kid doing special things. I had this idea that we should do date nights with each kid. I have been doing okay with it I guess. I wish David was able to find more one on one time with each kid. I hope that gets easier soon for him.

Tonight Ellie and I went out with a plan to paint a water and food bowl at the pottery place for Lady Grey. We also managed to sneak in some frozen yogurt and quick shopping for socks. It was a nice evening.

The painting was most of the evening. Ellie decided to take on the water bowl and attempt to paint a dolphin swimming in water. That is hard and takes lots of details. She was mostly patient and only a little frustrated once. She loves art and it's fun to watch her design and use colors.

My bowl was fun. I enjoy the relaxation of creating things as well. I look forward to picking them up in a couple weeks and having them as a reminder of time together always.

We chatted some about school and life, but mostly focused on our art. I hope we managed to do this more often. She's an awesome girl with a kind heart who wants to do good in the world. I love my Ellie Grey!

Big girl project

This month Ellie had to do an immigration project in school. She decided to do it on Scotland, which was an easy and natural choice. She spent a lot of time on the phone with Grannie collecting stories and photos. She spent time with David learning. She spent a lot of time preparing posters and thinking about what she would say. I'm so proud of her.

The night before they were due I asked her if she would volunteer to go first. Her initial reaction was no way, but after was talked about it a bit, she decided she wanted to volunteer to go first for the first time ever. I was so proud of her.

It turned out she got to go second. I'm so proud of her energy and her hard work on this project. She really did spectacular and really did most of it alone. Well done Ellie Bean!

Here are a couple photos.

Looking out for each other

One of the things I want most for my kids in their lives is that they look out for each other. I love when I see evidence of them doing it, even if it's ganging up on Mommy and Daddy.

Max got a coveted triple light saber for Christmas. It broke within 30 seconds out of the box. I glued it. Max had it for about a week, before it was broken again. I didn't know about it the second time until I went in to go to sleep and found the broken light saber lying on top of this note.

I love that Ellie was trying to help Max out, even if the light saber doesn't get fixed with glue.

Home made Christmas Presents

This Christmas Ellie put a huge effort into making presents for each of the family. She made everyone 2 things they wanted. She took time to ask us each what we'd like. She spent hours across many days working on these things.

I am so impressed by the thought, effort and output.

For Max, she made him a joke book and several paper air planes. She spend a lot of time online finding nice planes to make and jokes for his book.

For Clair she made her a playground to add to her dollhouse for the dolls and animals to play with.

For David, she made him a crown to wear on his head that said "Kind Daddy" on it. She also made him a lovely family portrait.

For me she made a story about the family and a set of hand and footprints from each of the kids. She also made David and me a new Ellie Elf. I just love her thoughtfulness and her very good art skills! She's really something else. I love that she enjoyed making these gifts and she really did enjoy giving them. She's awesome!  

Clair also made me this :-)

Pack rat

Today as I'm watching Ellie attempt to shove her lunch box into her backpack I finally ask "what is in there?" (Voice slightly agitated)

Response, "Books."

Me, "you need one book to read on the bus,"

Irritated Ellie responds with exasperation at that thought, "one book?!?!?!"

But then I realize it's not only the books. The bottom of her backpack looks like a trash can, literally it is filled with papers, trinkets, water bottles, trash, pens, treasures, more trash, rocks, and so much more. I just started grabbing handfuls and removing it. Ellie wasn't pleased. 

I do not understand how she lets this happen, it's disgusting. But, she is just 8. I should be more patient and attempt to teach her how to organize, except I'm not sure if I know how to organize and stay organized. 

As I'm looking through the pile of papers I have deemed trash to try to rescue one thing that had her most upset, I found, amongst all the trash, these nice cards and notes for us. I am reminded how sweet she is and how much she loves us. I hope my moments of crazy don't outweighs the moments of love. She is a special girl, even as a pack rat. 

Love my Ellie!