Slow down sissy...

I'm sure I've mentioned before that Laurelei is pretty much five going on fifteen, but it's never been more apparent to us than lately. Where do I even begin?

Perhaps I'll start with the scary part of her growing up, boys. Ah, preschool love. Matt and Laurelei had a detailed conversation on the way home from school about it the other day, and they were both excited to fill me in on the details over dinner. From what I gathered I imagine the initial conversation went something like this...

"How was school today?"

"Good. I need to pick a boyfriend."

"Excuse me?"

"There are three boys at school who love me and want to be my boyfriend. I have to pick one to be my boyfriend."

(Stunned silence, a few stifled giggles...yes I'm sure it was giggles)

"I think I'm going to pick soandso. He loves me so much."

"How do you know soandso loves you so much?"

"He tells me I'm beautiful. He thinks I'm really pretty."

Don't worry. As any good mom would do I squashed the whole idea of preschool love real quick.  I was sure to tell her that only big people get to have boyfriends and girlfriends, so she would just have to pretend until she was of a more appropriate age, like 20.

To my surprise her preschool whims have come with a fair amount of wisdom. The other day I was making my very first fabric doll and getting incredibly frustrated. I may have mentioned to Matt that I was about to quit-and-throw-my-sewing-machine-out-the-window and L overheard me. As she scooted up the table she shared her five year old words of encouragement with me.

"Don't quit mommy. You can do it. You can change your story"

"What do you mean?"

"You know mommy, like in Super Why? The duck wanted to swim but he couldn't so he quit. Then Super Why came and changed duck's story and made him not scared and he learned to swim. You can do that too mommy. You can change you story."

I kid you not. I felt about two feet tall. I had been told. By my five year old. I'd like to thank Super Why and the PBS community for teaching my child more important lessons that she has apparently learned from her parents example at home. 

How do they grow so fast? You turn around and your tiny five pound baby is five years old. She is beautiful and smart and ready for the whole wide world. And you pretty much know you had nothing to do with her growing older and you just want to tell her to slow down.

snow days

So, in an attempt to #1, stay off of facebook and #2, still post all of the family pictures and updates I am crazy about I am going to try to relive this under utilized blog. I refuse to make promises on consistency, and I am fairly-more-than-certain that no one is any longer reading this so they won't mind, but I will make a good effort if for no other reason that it makes me sad to not have documented anything from September through January!

I have some back logged posts that I would love to fill in at some point on our Halloween, Christmas, and New Years. But seeing as how it is our sixth/ seventh? snowday of the this month, I thought I would just start with what we have been up to for the last few days.

one...

We have done a lot of waiting at the window for daddy to get home from work. Since the little ones and I haven't left the house since Monday, we've been anxious for him to get home and entertain us each day!

two...

Sleeping. We have done a fair amount of sleeping. A nap here or there never hurt anyone, and I for one can say that I am going to miss these come the  harsh reality of back-to-school!

three...

We even once got out to play in the snow! This is Abbott's first official snow play, and he had mixed feeling about it. All he really wanted to do was build a snow man, but the snow was a little to fluffy to pack well. Every time he sat down in the snow, he got stuck. That was probably my fault, since he waddled out of the house like the kid in the Christmas Story. In the end I think he mostly enjoyed it!

 

Laurelei definitely loved it the WHOLE time. She is a true little snow bunny! She dove right in the second she stepped out of the door. I'd say if we could find a way to keep her fingers warm she probably wouldn't ever come in!

 She especially loved when Matt would pull her around in the baby sled. It is so small and they could pick up some serious speed! Abbott liked it at first too, but didn't so much like gaining any speed. He's not quite as big of a daredevil as Laurelei.

Too bad its 10 degrees outside today, or we might just be out there again! It looks like Saturday calls for more snow and 35 degrees, so maybe that is a better idea?

So that's that. Those are my very grown up kids. My two year old and my five year old. I can't believe I am saying that, a lot has changed since August.

Summer Days

It has been a fast summer for us over here. Days have been filled with pools, friends, beaches, and trips. May favorite days this summer though have been the lazy in between days.

 The days when the kids and I play and snack and sleep and watch a show...or two.

 

 They are at such a fun age.

 They know so much, communicate so readily, but still love a good cuddle.

I love everything about these days.

Our little ballerina...

Laurelei has had sort of a love/ hate relationship with organized activities this year, meaning, she has hated t-ball, but loved dance. She is all girl! (The fact that the most exciting part of t-ball for her was the 'costume' should have been a dead giveaway.)

We signed Laurelei up for dance in the fall once she became obsessed with being on stage just like her cousin Kaitlyn. At first, she was extremely disappointed that it would take nearly a whole year to get on stage at her recital, but in time she bought into the weekly classes, practice, and waiting.

When recital time came around this spring, it all proved to be worth the wait. The anticipation she felt every time we talked about being on stage was contagious. She beamed every time we mentioned it. It helped that her recital was at the local Opera House. In her words, "She got to be a princess on stage in the castle." I love that she felt that way!

The rehearsals with her were so much fun. Sure they took up some time, but she loved it. It was great seeing her in her element and watching her do something that she loved! It's hard to explain, but it really did become a special time for us!

When the big recital night came she was ready to go! She didn't blink an eye at the 200+ people in the audience or the bright lights. She loved every second of it. She did about as well as you'd expect any 4 year old to do in memorizing her routine, and was of course absolutely perfect!

After both of her dances were complete, she sat in the audience and watched the older dancers, mesmerized, despite the fact that it was past 10:00 pm during a 4 hour recital! She was gleaming. She felt proud of herself and I loved that.

I am very aware of the fact that she is only 4, I promise, and I know that some people roll their eyes at little girls in big costumes and makeup. That said, it brought her happiness and a sense of accomplishment, and I wouldn't take any of it back in a heart beat (even if her number unfortunately ended up being 'Happy Helpers' and her costume resembled that of a french maid, just saying.)

It was the perfect night celebrating our little ballerina!

miscellany monday, and a promise to myself...

Why hello lovely monday. I can't say that I am usually very excited to see you, but the summer changes many things. A bowl of cheerios and diet coke in hand, kids playing joyfully in the background, bread baking in the oven...these are things I could get used to on a Monday morning.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I dare say things have been busy around here. With the end of the school year, the t-ball season, and dance we have had a lot going on! Luckily with only one night of recital left to go, things are looking a little more peaceful for us very soon!

In the meantime, here is a bit of what we've been up too...

one... The end of the school year brought two big things for me, the graduations of BOTH of my brothers. I cannot believe that they are all grown, heading to college in the fall. It was great to celebrate both of them, but a little bitter sweet as I look towards august and realize how quiet my house will seem without Harrison's frequent visits.

two... We have tried really hard to spruce up our backyard lately. Our 1950's house has a great big backyard, but its been in a great state of disrepair since we moved in 5 years ago. It definitely has a way to go, but for the first time in a long time I can say I actually enjoy my time sitting on the porch back there. We added a brick patio to an little area that just couldn't grow grass effectively, and planted some of my favorites, hydrangeas!

three... With the start of summer, we've been trying to have a lot of play-dates. Laurelei and Abbott are just getting to the age where they play really well together, so I've been so excited to bring some new friends into the mix as well! Last week we were able to play with all kinds of friends! Connor was able to come over Sunday night, Harper on Monday, and on Friday we headed over to Leighton and Brooks' house for some fun too. Somewhere in the middle there we traveled up to Cincinnati for a little shopping, lunch, and fun with Mathis and Eleanor too. It was great for L and A, and I can't complain either. I quite enjoyed talking to their mommy's as well!

 

 four... Laurelei is finishing up her dance season with a big recital. That has meant a lot of rehearsing for L and a lot of trying not to become a dance mom for me. This of course will deserve an entire post just to itself because of the cuteness it entails, but for now here is a sneak peak of how we have been spending our days for the last week. Did I mention I love having a little girl?

five... I am promising myself that I will try to catch up on all of the important things (to me anyways) here this summer. Abbott has become a completely different baby. L is growing up so ridiculously fast. I don't want to lose track of those memories! I've also decided that I need to get the 'big' camera out more often. I've been using it a lot lately to get pictures of other people, but missing out on some sweet shots of my own kids, I must do better at that.

Happy Summer!

Recent sweet things...

Awhile back we traveled to Michigan to meet one of my new favorite people, Emma-Kate, and see two of my other favorite people...

 Cuddling with my own growing-too-fast-not-so-little ones...

Playing school, reading, dancing, and generally just trying to keep up with this tiny fashionista...

Taking pictures for a great friend and stealing kisses from a brand new baby...

 

Saying yes to some exciting news from one of the best people I know...

 

And because life just wasn't crazy enough, meet Harriet Potter...

Life is full, happy Monday!

five for friday

Whew, it's been a while to say the least! I don't know what happened, but somewhere between winter illnesses, careers, grad school, side jobs, and crazy kids, we have lost all track of time. That doesn't mean that we aren't painfully aware of time flying by, and the kids growing up too fast as always. I keep wanting to come back and post, and then feeling so overwhelmed by how far behind I am! I'm going to take a little tip from Tiffany today and steal her five for friday, it feels like the best way to catch up on the most important (or maybe just my favorite) things from the past couple of months. Thanks for the inspiration today, Tiffany!

{one}

Many holidays have come and gone since my last post. I always love Valentine's day, spoiling my kids and ordering in food. We sent these little pictures out to our family, and I loved the way they turned out! What's not to love about these two little cuties on Valentine's Day?

{two}

We have been battling illness, after illness, after illness around here. That has made for lots of indoor playing and lounging around. Not to mention, I may or may not have severed a little one's finger in the door back in January, yikes! Poor Laurelei, she had her very first emergency trip to the hospital, and it was a scene! Luckily, we are all in a state of recupperating and very, very happy to be there. Fingers crossed (poor choice of words, maybe?), we'll stay there!

{three}

I did it again. I redid another room... Laurelei's! I can't take all the credit though, as I rarely can, because Matt came up with and built the most exciting part of the room. I will have to come back and share more details of this sweet space soon, but for now, here is a quick iphone picture of the space! Did I mention that I want to live in this room now? It's way cooler than mine!

{four}

Our babies are changing. As Laurelei continues down the path of 4 years old, she has mellowed out just a tad. She spends more time engaged in one activity. Whether it is drawing, coloring, or playing with her LeapPad, she gets engrossed in an activity like never before.

Abbott on the other hand, has developed a little attitude to go along with his 16 months! He loves food. He can't get enough of it! He has mastered a few words now, but by far I think 'MORE!' is the clearest. He plays his little heart out all day everyday. Lucky, this has come with some good solid sleeping through the night too, so yay for that!

Oh how I love these little ones so!

{five}

On a completely unrelated, or somewhat related I guess, note...I have a new favorite thing. Laurelei and Abbott is always saying or doing new things and I think, "I will rememeber this forever!" Um, wrong. I tell a few people, maybe write it down in some obscure place, and then forget about it eventually. Well, not anymore!! I finally got myself a 'One Line a Day' journal, and I am so excited to use it. You can use it for five years, and just keep adding too it. I think it will be a great memory keeper if I can remember to use it. I am really excited about it! It doesn't hurt that it's one of my favorite shades of blue, tiny, and leather bound. Win, win, win!

Happy Friday all!