sewing sundays

this not-so-little girl of mine has really taken to her sewing machine lately.  gifted to her by an insightful omi, she loves turning charm packs into 9 patch blocks.  and because she still needs a bit of supervision, I get to enjoy it with her!  sundays have become a perfect day to sit side by side and craft.  I enjoy watching her determination and natural ability- she really has been quite good at arts and crafts since very early on.  (she's been complimented for years on her ability to use things like brads and rub-ons.)  it really wont be long before she'll be sewing all by herself... 

a glove funeral

Today, I threw away these gloves.  They needed to be replaced.  But before I tossed them, I had a very rare emotional attachment to process.  So appease me in a glove funeral if you will.  These gloves were bought 11 winters ago amidst my very selfish, single life.  A life that was half exciting, crazy, middle of the night ER career and half silly, indulgent, carefree recreation.  These snowboarding gloves are perhaps the last physical evidence that I once lived a pretty cool lifestyle!  You see, when I tell my kids I used to snowboard Breckenridge every Saturday, I can tell they don't believe me.  And I don't blame them- after all I'm now a total Nervous Nelly about everything from kites to ferris wheels!  (What is it about motherhood that makes one nerdier and nerdier and nerdier???)  While I can say that I am beyond grateful that "domestication" (if you will) has traded those days for a life with greater maturity, meaning, and spirituality- there is still 10% of me that really embraces those gloves today.  Looking back, while I fully enjoyed that time in Colorado, I worried so much about "domestication" and prayed to begin the rest of my life.  I am so thankful a loving Heavenly Father knew me better than I know myself.  He blessed me with that lifestyle in Colorado because He knew the joy those gloves would still bring me today!

a mushy, gushy pose

despite telling every photographer i've ever been in touch with that I absolutely hate this pose (and despite the fact that I really do dislike this picture), it does capture a bit of how I feel for my Dave.  He is absolutely the rock I lean on.  I lean on his natural ability to smile and his silly, playful humor.  I lean on his ability to be optimistically understanding but also softly confrontational.  I lean on his late night listening ear (unless hair or clothes is the subject matter) and his chatty friendliness to others.  and (even if through gritted teeth) I lean on his more practical side too (i.e. budgeting skills, all things science).... I love my rock! 

parent teacher conference report

she reads at a 4th grade reading level but it is her least favorite subject AND she bemoans the accelerated curriculum

she loves the thrill of timed math tests
she is 'an example' and a 'sweetheart' and 'reserved'
writing is her favorite subject
her teacher (who hosts jack in homeroom) mentioned she cant imagine jack and kindin together because they are so 'opposite'.

he always compliments his teacher (who he has a major crush on)  'your shirt is pretty' or ' you look nice'
his people drawings have improved dramatically and he now cares about his artwork
he is beginning to read and isn't behind like his mother fretted
he 'loves mondays' now!

a punishment that fits the crime

after having been caught in another little and white lie,  mom and dad were sure it was time for a punishment other than just another strong admonition about truth telling!  she'd really not done anything terrible or unordinary- after all, ditching a half eaten dinner when mom and dad aren't looking and lying about it when confronted has gotta be in every textbook on parenting.  but, this little cutie is getting close to her baptism and we were 100% unified in our decision to find a punishment that made her think more about honesty.  and if we do say so ourselves, it was a perfectly dreadful but fitting punishment.  forced to eat her soggy turkey sandwich, she reacted and over reacted for a good half hour with cries ringing through the neighborhood.  feeling perfectly unified in our decision (which, truth be told, can be a rare moment between a somewhat stern mother and a very fun loving father), we couldn't help but giggle and sneak a picture...

  

c-r-y-b-a-b-y

I've learned how to spell c-r-y-b-a-b-y efficiently and discretely in answer to the question: 'how is jack doing in school?'  the first two months of kindergarten has turned jack into a c-r-y-b-a-b-y.  every day when I walked to pick him up, he was already in tears or bursting into tears about the littlest of things- a forgotten waterbottle, tripping on the stairs, it was hot outside, etc...  CRYING every single day!  having held it together all day long at school, he lost it at the sight of me.  at home, he was exhausted, he couldn't handle playdates well because of his irritability, he dreaded the next day of school, and every morning he anxiously checked and re-checked his short list of to-dos.  that is, until this past week.  it has stopped.  he's been confident.  he's playful again after school.  and he has even expressed excitement for school!  it's so nice to have him back.

 

accessing my inner mary poppins

there is a park nearby that's situated in a perpetually gusty spot.  it is, essentially, the perfect spot for flying kites.  truly, one can fly a kite there on any given day.  sounds kinda magical doesn't it?  almost has you breaking into song- 'let's go fly a kite and send it soaring.  up to the atmosphere, up where the air is clear.'  despite numerous attempts, I have yet to access my inner mary poppins.  in fact, I am utterly afraid of flying kites.  this last trip, david and grandpa were again unsuccessful in swaying me from my fear- even using my adorable two year old as bait.