Outing to the park

A couple of weeks ago Sophia and I spent a lovely day together at the park. Initially, I had planned only to run out quickly to the store, grab what I needed to, and get the baby back for his nap. We headed out and ran our errands, and the baby fell asleep in the car. Sophia was hungry, so I grabbed her a happy meal and we headed to one of my favorite parks. Sophia sat and ate, the baby slept and I enjoyed the wonderful pre fall weather. After she finished eating Sophia wanted to take a walk around Lake Elkhorn, so we walked, and walked and walked. She was curious about the different trees and shrubs we saw, and asked me to read from the different signs that explained what was growing in the park: black walnut, tulip trees, oak trees, apple trees and more. On our way back from our walk we saw a huge flock of ducks. We talked ducks and what they do, how they look and what they eat. I asked Sophia why she thought there were so many ducks on the bank of the lake, and she answered: "Maybe they are having a festival." Indeed.

After our long walk she wanted to play on the playground equipment. We spent another hour playing and swinging until the baby finally woke up. It was an unexpectedly lovely afternoon. Two hours of quiet, relaxed time to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

Recently

Ellie has been making signs:

And writing 'books' and creating all kinds of written and illustrated projects. She has made a couple of fairy tale collections that include pictures and words with stories such as: Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty as well as others. She has also come up with a few stories on her own: "The Beautiful Fairies", The Flying Pegasus", "The Two Beautiful Unicorns" and other creations. Most book titles include the word "beautiful". I think my favorite is her little book entitled "The Dancing Ladybugs". So cute.

8 weeks old

And SUCH a doll. Love this boy.

Off to Preschool

Sophia started preschool today! She has been excited to start preschool ever since we registered Ellie for Kindergarten back in March. Why? Well of course she wanted to go to school too! Every time we drive by the elementary school followed by Sophia's preschool Sophia would ask, when do I go to my school mama? Every time.

This morning was a lot of fun. Ellie headed off to school on her bus, and Sophia and I prepped for her big day: yummy breakfast, bath, finger and toe nail painting, and picking out just the right outfit and shoes. (I asked her if she wanted to wear the same outfit Ellie wore to her first day of preschool and she said yes!)

It is going to be nice to have a little over two hours two days a week to myself this year. Of course I still have Gradon to take care of, but I think preschool is going to be great for all of us.

Back in the groove of sorts

The baby fog is starting to lift a bit at our house. We still have rough days where I literally want to pull m hair out, but all in all, 80% of the time, we are getting sleep, feeling good, I am having a chance to clean and organize the house, play with Sophia, and even have time for myself. I am back at the gym, which is helping my sanity, as I try to lose three babies worth of weight, a large challenge, yes, but 30-40 pounds isn't completely overwhelming.

Sophia has been a great helper. When Ellie is off to school she is my little shadow, going everywhere I go, watching me nurse the baby, getting diapers, putting away toys and clothes. She has a non stop monologue going lately, all kinds of topics: rocket ships, dancing, princess stories, ideas for all kinds of things. She is trying to find her place in our family lately. Being the middle child can't be the easy place to be, with a free spirit older sister, and a very new cute baby brother in tow. Sophia is quite the blend of Chris and I, more Chris than me, much more logical, but equally inquisitive. She is sensitive and kind, but can be a bit overbearing when she feels threatened. I know she is looking forward to preschool starting soon, I am happy she will have something that is her own, that she will enjoy. Both girls are doing ballet this year, Sophia really wanted to try it, even though she is by far my gymnast and so athletic. So far both are enjoying their activities and happy little girls. Today they are dressing up in my clothes and shoes, they love to raid my closet and pull out all my heels and things.  Its fun. Girls are pretty neat.

Everyday is an adventure here that is for sure. We are looking forward to fall. Pumpkins, fall colors, sweaters and coats, crisp air, Halloween, comfort foods, a slower pace. We are slowly finding our day to day rhythm. I can't believe Chris is deep in his second year of med school. Thursday will mark the return of fall, so here is one last look at a summer memory:

         Oh what a wonderful summer we have had!

Look who came for a visit...

Grandma and Grandpa Enns and Grandmother and Grandad Cochran!

 

We had a wonderful week with both sets of grandparents. They came out to celebrate Gradon's baby blessing. What a special time! Baby blessings are such a spiritual day for me. Each baby blessing has been spiritual and emotional in different ways, and I was so happy we could share this time again with our family. Chris and I are fortunate to have wonderful parents. We had a fun BBQ at our house on Gradon's blessing day, and shared it with some fabulous people. What a great week. What amazing blessings. A new baby, wonderful family and friends, full grateful hearts.

First Day

Ellie went off to Kindergarten today. Wow. What a beginning! I woke up to an alarm to the first time in months, perhaps a year. I went in, woke her up, and she jumped out of bed, totally ready to face the day. She was so excited to get dressed and ready for the bus. We got her hair combed and pretty, and breakfast commenced. It was a nice 30 minutes of just her and I, reminiscing about life and things she has done. She kept asking me, Mama, how much time do we have until the bus is here? (She couldn't wait) Inside I was a mess, just trying to hold myself together. We walked hand in hand out to the bus stop, before taking a couple of very glowy and sweet photos on our porch. We greeted our neighbors who assured me that they would keep a close eye on Ellie on the bus. We took a couple of photos, and 5 minutes later, the bus arrived, she gave me a couple of great big hugs, and before you could say 'off to kindergarten' the bus was driving down our block. I wanted to call out, 'wait, I need just one more hug', but instead I just cried as my sweet first child drove off to school. I walked back to my house unsure of what to do next. I crawled back in bed, but was unable to sleep. I downloaded my camera's photos and sniffed through the darling images of my sweet girl, hoping she was excited and ready for her first big day.

Soon after this, Sophia came in to find me, asking where Ellie was, and we both had a few tears together about missing our big sister. I then perked up and told her it was time to get ready for her friend's birthday party, and that really helped to get the mood back on track. Sophia ate breakfast, I took a shower, baby brother woke up, he ate, we headed out for the party. It was the best way to spend the morning, I was able to see good friends, Sophia was able to play with her favorite girls.

Later this afternoon Chris, Sophia and I marched back out to the bus stop and waited for the bus. I kept looking around the corner for it to show, and finally (10 minutes late) it arrived. Ellie bounded out, ran right for me and gave me the most amazing hug. I will never forget it! She was so happy! We walked hand in hand back to the house, and for the first time all day I realized that I was going to survive kindergarten.