Clair’s birthday eve

Yes, a birthday eve is real, especially to Clair. She’s been counting down the days to her birthday now for about a month. The birthday Eve was something to celebrate.

Tonight as I lay with her before she falls asleep, we talked about the anticipation of her big day. She has it all planned out. She’s told me exactly what to do for every meal. She knows when she wants to open her presents. She expect me at school with a happy meal for lunch. I am to make her French toast for breakfast. She has a special dress picked out to wear to school for the day. She’s very excited to go to school for her birthday and is anticipating the celebration her teacher will provide her as well.

She does have some hesitation about turning 6. She describes it, she wants to stay five forever and for me to stay the same age I am forever so that we can always snuggle each other the same way that we do right now. It is sweet and sad when she talks about the fact that she can’t live without me and thinks we should just die on the same day. I tried to discourage this train of thought. It is a sign that I am still her world, and I’ll be honest, I am so thankful for this time and I am her world. I know it passes quickly.

Part of me wants to admit to her that I too wish we could stay like this forever, but I know that’s not the way the world works. So I don’t encourage this train of thought and I tell her about the amazing life that lies for head for her, which I truly believe.

It’s off the bed and I have no doubt she’ll be in Bright and early for a special snuggle where she announces into my ear that it is her birthday and she is now six years old. There is no anticipation that is equivalent to that of a kid on their birthday. I love it and I love this girl so much!

Exploration in reading

I found her sitting like this on the couch yesterday morning. It didn’t last long, but she was exploring with reading the words in her book after pushing them to be further away. Lol

Love to be inside this little mind sometimes; though I do think I understand it quite well. 

Max’s first communion

Max had his first communion this spring on Maundy Thursday. This is the day Jesus celebrated communion as the last super with his disciples. It was a moving and fitting way to celebrate and I hope Max will remember this honor. 

Gramma game to celebrate with us too. She bought him aspecial  cross necklace to celebrate. 

I hope Max’s journey with God stays strong his whole life! 

Keepsakes

Last New Year’s day I sat down with the kids to talk about what we were thankful for as I was thinking about the refreshing opportunity brought on each New Year’s Day. The below was a compilation of what we came up with. It has hung in our refrigerator ever cents. I am finally removing it but it’s worth preserving and remembering all the wonderful things we have in our life. Its probably also doing fresh copy of this each year and seeing how it changes for us.

I have a hard time getting rid of these things, and I know that we must to make opportunity for the new things worth remembering. The refrigerator of a mom with a family of young kids is also interesting and ever-changing based on accomplishments, activities, priorities, and organization goals. 

One day I will probably miss my very busy refrigerator full of artwork. Hopefully I will have grandkids that can keep it colorful. 

Hard days work

Today we all went to church together to celebrate home Sunday. After church we went to lunch and then to Lowe’s where we were going to get mulch. Instead of getting mulch we filled the entire car with plants and brought them home and begin the weeding planting and then mulching. David went out for a second trip for 25 bags of mulch. The kids were very good about helping. Yes, we bribe them with the promise of cash. But I would say they stayed engaged for a couple hours. The girls were slightly more engaged and were willing to work for money then Max was.

After several hours outside we came in for showers and while waiting for dinner to arrive we were going to watch a movie. We ended up getting shuffled to the basement due to a tornado warning. We had one nearly touchdown in Newmarket. The winds were high and we did actually hide out under the stairs for a bit.

The kids were a bit scared but we tried to keep it light. Clair had a hard time going to sleep in her bed after at all. I promised her my watch would buzz. I’m grateful for modern day technology that Truly did give us 15 to 20 minutes warning.

Clair praise notes

Clair loves to write. When she goes to church with me she always write something on envelopes in the pews. Today’s message re-iterated that she’s at least listening in church. She makes me smile.

Clair produces so much writing and art work

I found this old art work in the paper section of the art room. I was impressed at the details here. This must be several months old based on the topic of Peppa Pig. 

Clair is learning so much in kindergarten. Her reading and writing is growing significantly each week. 

This is just one of many pieces I find and love. I can’t kee them all so I store them here for now.