Ellie was proud of this grown up experience. We were proud of her. She was very excited to go back for communion the following week. A sign of growing up.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
First Communion
This past weekend Ellie celebrated another milestone of growing up; she had her first communion.
Ellie was proud of this grown up experience. We were proud of her. She was very excited to go back for communion the following week. A sign of growing up.
Ellie was proud of this grown up experience. We were proud of her. She was very excited to go back for communion the following week. A sign of growing up.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
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.
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.
Mother's day
This mother days, I stayed in bed and the kids prepared a lovely breakfast in bed. Ellie took my order the night before and they prepared exactly what I asked for, plus a little chocolate bar treat on the side. They were so excited to celebrate a special day for me. They brought me breakfast and loads of presents and home made cards. They were adorable and sweet. I love these kids so much. They each took time to make something special. I love their home made cards, stories, and things about Mommy. Max even made me a container of "paper" recess peanut butter cups. Too cute!
The day was relaxing. I got to hang out at home with them, we played in the afternoon, and I made some dinner in the evening. I was treated quite well by everyone and truly enjoyed a beautiful day. Being a mom is awesome. Being the Mom to Max, Ellie and Clair is all I could ask for in my life.
The day was relaxing. I got to hang out at home with them, we played in the afternoon, and I made some dinner in the evening. I was treated quite well by everyone and truly enjoyed a beautiful day. Being a mom is awesome. Being the Mom to Max, Ellie and Clair is all I could ask for in my life.
Monday, May 15, 2017
Mother's Day Eve Family Adventure
Saturday morning we woke up and decided to take a family adventure into Washington DC. This was spurred to find the a pretzel bakery we saw Friday night on TV. We decided to make a day trip out of it and see what happens! It was really a great day.
Stop one, off to Washington's up and transformed South East DC to try the new pretzel bakery. It was packed and it was delicious. We tried everything - pretzels, hot dogs, breakfast sandwiches, a calzone and the cinnamon pretzel treats! Then we explored the nearby Eastern Market where we tried some local foods and bought some presents.
Next, we decided to head towards the malls and the monuments. We passed by the capital and decided to get out and check out the National Conservatory. It's a great time to of year for the blooming flowers and gardens. I got a lot of great pictures here and the kids enjoyed the little treasures in the garden.
After the gardens, we decided we would try to visit the space museum for a couple hours. The kids hadn't been there for a few years. We walked around for about an hour. Everyone was quite tired.
We decided to head home via Georgetown and have some dinner there .I found an Irish Pub I had always wanted to try. So we stopped for dinner and ended with some fancy cupcakes.
As we headed home and I pointed out the beautiful sunset, Clair says, "I don't want to go home. I want to stay here a bit longer." I asked her what else there was to do and she wasn't sure, she just didn't want the adventure to end. I explained it was already bedtime and she relaxed and enjoyed the ride home.
Clair only wished the day ended at a hotel. That was her goal! My girl likes to travel and explore. She has that from both David and me.
Stop one, off to Washington's up and transformed South East DC to try the new pretzel bakery. It was packed and it was delicious. We tried everything - pretzels, hot dogs, breakfast sandwiches, a calzone and the cinnamon pretzel treats! Then we explored the nearby Eastern Market where we tried some local foods and bought some presents.
Next, we decided to head towards the malls and the monuments. We passed by the capital and decided to get out and check out the National Conservatory. It's a great time to of year for the blooming flowers and gardens. I got a lot of great pictures here and the kids enjoyed the little treasures in the garden.
After the gardens, we decided we would try to visit the space museum for a couple hours. The kids hadn't been there for a few years. We walked around for about an hour. Everyone was quite tired.
We decided to head home via Georgetown and have some dinner there .I found an Irish Pub I had always wanted to try. So we stopped for dinner and ended with some fancy cupcakes.
As we headed home and I pointed out the beautiful sunset, Clair says, "I don't want to go home. I want to stay here a bit longer." I asked her what else there was to do and she wasn't sure, she just didn't want the adventure to end. I explained it was already bedtime and she relaxed and enjoyed the ride home.
Clair only wished the day ended at a hotel. That was her goal! My girl likes to travel and explore. She has that from both David and me.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Ninja Go
I must take note of Max's latest obsession which shows no sign of letting up. He's fascinated with Ninjas. Ninja Lego! Ninja books! Ninja weapon building! Ninja Movies! Ninja story writing! Ninja comic books! Ninja stories! Playing Ninja with Henry! It's a Ninja world he lives in. He talks about these things like they truly happened to him in real life.
This is the hardest obsession for me to get into. The only books he will now lay with me to read are these Ninja books. I want to spend this time with him and I try. But it's 20 minutes of reading comics, with small print, and strange words that I always say wrong (according to Max and the Movies).
But I love my boy. Ninja makes him happy!
Ninja GO! lol
This is the hardest obsession for me to get into. The only books he will now lay with me to read are these Ninja books. I want to spend this time with him and I try. But it's 20 minutes of reading comics, with small print, and strange words that I always say wrong (according to Max and the Movies).
But I love my boy. Ninja makes him happy!
Ninja GO! lol
Clair's fourth birthday
So Clair woke up in bed with Mommy and Daddy on her fourth birthday just like she wanted. She woke up early and we snuggled before she demanded some TV time. After TV time, it was presents time, even before breakfast, just like her very own Christmas.
She liked the decorations we put up and she loved her balloons from Grannie.
She had only a few presents because her big present from us was the trampoline in our back yard which she loves to death. She enjoyed those presents she did receive - a name puzzle, Peppa wallet, Peppa stamps, markers, chalk, homemade jewelry from her sister, and a new book. As we see, it's a Peppa theme.
She asked for Chocolate Chip Pancakes for breakfast and I indulged. They scarfed them down so fast!
The morning was spent playing. Ellie created a birthday party in her room for her and Clair with sings, songs, tea and all Clair's new presents. It was cute. They enjoyed this time together.
During the afternoon Clair and Mommy got to spend a lot of time together. We played some pretend in the living room, went for a walk outside, played outside on the trampoline and playground, and just enjoyed some time together. It was a pretty day.
Dinner was as Clair wanted - pizza. Mommy snuck in a side of green smoothie and then we finished dinner off with Clair's Peppa Chocolate Chip Cookie cake that Grannie made. It was beautiful and delicious!
Clair had a great day and we had a nice relaxing weekend. Love my little beautiful big girl. She's full of energy, determination, creativity, she's smart, she is busy and she can be loads of fun to hang out with. And, boy, does my girl love to cuddle!
She liked the decorations we put up and she loved her balloons from Grannie.
She had only a few presents because her big present from us was the trampoline in our back yard which she loves to death. She enjoyed those presents she did receive - a name puzzle, Peppa wallet, Peppa stamps, markers, chalk, homemade jewelry from her sister, and a new book. As we see, it's a Peppa theme.
She asked for Chocolate Chip Pancakes for breakfast and I indulged. They scarfed them down so fast!
The morning was spent playing. Ellie created a birthday party in her room for her and Clair with sings, songs, tea and all Clair's new presents. It was cute. They enjoyed this time together.
During the afternoon Clair and Mommy got to spend a lot of time together. We played some pretend in the living room, went for a walk outside, played outside on the trampoline and playground, and just enjoyed some time together. It was a pretty day.
Dinner was as Clair wanted - pizza. Mommy snuck in a side of green smoothie and then we finished dinner off with Clair's Peppa Chocolate Chip Cookie cake that Grannie made. It was beautiful and delicious!
Clair had a great day and we had a nice relaxing weekend. Love my little beautiful big girl. She's full of energy, determination, creativity, she's smart, she is busy and she can be loads of fun to hang out with. And, boy, does my girl love to cuddle!
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Clair is turning 4
Today we celebrated Clair's 4th birthday having a party at the local bounce house with friends from school, neighbors, and some family. This day was all planned by Clair. She anticipated it for many months. She picked the theme, the place, the people, helped with the gift bags and really had more expectations about the day then I have experienced previously with my kiddos.
The party went very well, despite having several friends unable to attend. There were enough people there to make it feel big and busy. I loved watching her face when everyone sung Happy Birthday to her. She enjoyed it, but didn't smile. I think she was slightly uncomfortable and happy at the same time. The anticipation of the day was felt in that moment. She smiled when it was all done and she blew out her candle.
She got nice presents and had lots of fun with her friends. She especially enjoyed having her friend Kara from the neighborhood there. The big kids had fun with Henry, Elizabeth and cousins. It was a good day.
We had a nice dinner in the evening and watched Beauty and the Beast with the kids before bed. Clair was exhausted. She was beet red in the face and totally sweaty from her bounce time. It was a long day. As David tried to tuck her into bed she proclaimed she doesn't want to turn four. Nearly in tears, she explained to me that she doesn't want to turn four so that I can still carry her and hold her. She wants to stay three forever! (Be still my heart!)
I hugged her tight and smiled. I told her I promised to hold her and carry her while she was four as well. That proclamation held off the tears and then she said she needed to sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight. So, she's having what she calls a Birthday Sleepover. The women knows what she wants and is pretty darn good at getting what she wants from the world, even her Mommy.
Love my girl. The world awaits Clair and she is coming! She's amazing, determined, smart, loving, emotional and very vocal! I love watching her grow and seeing the person she is becoming.
The party went very well, despite having several friends unable to attend. There were enough people there to make it feel big and busy. I loved watching her face when everyone sung Happy Birthday to her. She enjoyed it, but didn't smile. I think she was slightly uncomfortable and happy at the same time. The anticipation of the day was felt in that moment. She smiled when it was all done and she blew out her candle.
She got nice presents and had lots of fun with her friends. She especially enjoyed having her friend Kara from the neighborhood there. The big kids had fun with Henry, Elizabeth and cousins. It was a good day.
We had a nice dinner in the evening and watched Beauty and the Beast with the kids before bed. Clair was exhausted. She was beet red in the face and totally sweaty from her bounce time. It was a long day. As David tried to tuck her into bed she proclaimed she doesn't want to turn four. Nearly in tears, she explained to me that she doesn't want to turn four so that I can still carry her and hold her. She wants to stay three forever! (Be still my heart!)
I hugged her tight and smiled. I told her I promised to hold her and carry her while she was four as well. That proclamation held off the tears and then she said she needed to sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight. So, she's having what she calls a Birthday Sleepover. The women knows what she wants and is pretty darn good at getting what she wants from the world, even her Mommy.
Love my girl. The world awaits Clair and she is coming! She's amazing, determined, smart, loving, emotional and very vocal! I love watching her grow and seeing the person she is becoming.
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