Happy Birthday to my Love

Birthday season in our household always breezes through - I'm Sept 20, followed by Harper on Sept 24 and today was Jonny's turn to wear the crown.  We had a low key day with family, watching some football, eating good food and enjoying being together. I think we are a pretty lucky crew.



I just did the math and realized that it's been 19 years to the day that this sweet boy asked me to be his girlfriend.  It was after a pep rally on the way to IHOP.  Does it get cuter than that?  I decided I needed to rummage through the basement and dig out the box labeled "photo albums" that is way up on the top shelf.  Unfortunately, I did not find the complete collection of our early days together- but I found some goodies.  I apologize for the poor quality of my photo of a photo in terrible lighting, but I think the nostalgia shines through.  - now where are those pictures from HS of us wearing thrift store clothes??

Happy Birthday Jon Paul!  I love you from head to toe, you are the best thing that could have ever happened to me.  I love our history, and I love our present, and I can't wait to keep this adventure train rolling.  I love looking at the old photos, finding the sweet love letters, the mix tapes, knowing that our love just gets better and better, but I love even more looking at the future; and everything amazing that lies ahead of us.  We have what we have because of the foundation that we built, it's forever changing and growing, and not always easy- but its strong, and withstanding of the ups and downs.  Thank you for being awesome, for being funny, for being strong, for loving our girls and making us feel loved and safe, EVERY DAY.   I'm a happy girl because of you, I hope you had a lovely Birthday xoxo



love you honey pie,

xoxo, your B

Roomies

A few days ago we switched Harper from her crib/toddler bed to a big girl bed, and we put bunk beds into Olivia's room. Of course, Harper now sleeps on the bottom bunk. I love the nighttime giggles (as long as they only last a few minutes) #firstroomies #sisters #bestfriendsforever




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roll with the changes

As usual I have gone longer- much longer- much much much longer than I would have liked to, in between finding time to write.  Spring never really showed up, winter just kind of trotted along and all of a sudden it's June and school let out, I blinked my eyes and it's summer and I have a first grader!

I've always struggled with the milestones.  I try so hard to soak in the moments and savor them.  I get very emotional about the "end" of things.  I am repeatedly surprised by how quickly time is passing, and yet I am truly looking forward to the future and all the new adventures in store for us that can only come the kids getting older.  (enter here day dreams of travel plans with both kids in tow- and not being tied to strict meal times, naps,  etc)   Olivia took to school just like we knew she would.  She had an amazing teacher, the lovely Mrs. Jacobs.  She truly learned SO much this year about being a good friend, learning right from wrong- a few inappropriate jokes (thanks bus!) she's shed some tears, broken a bone, learned to READ, to tie her shoes, to add and subtract, to begin telling time, to count her money, to stand up for herself, to adapt, to laugh , to grow......  she is not only a good friend but an amazing sister too.  She shows empathy and compassion, she is brave and speaks her mind.  Yet she is also our sweet and sensitive Olivia.  She just wants to make everyone happy and do her best. 

 Olivia- we are so proud of you and how hard you have worked this year in Kindergarten.  It's hard to believe you are only 6 years old because your little heart and beautiful mind always seems wise beyond your years.  You especially seem mature to me when you are looking out for your sister.  You know how to calm her down, make her happy, talk her into doing what you want- you have the finesse of someone much older than you. Although- you quickly remind us you are six with your vivid imagination, slap stick comedy routines and contagious giggles.  

Kindergarten Facts:

Olivia played soccer, took swim and gymnastics this year.  She was a Daisy in the Girl Scout program and sold the most cookies in her troop!  Olivia auditioned and landed a solo in her schools variety/talent show.  She sang Do Re Mi from the sound of music.  She did a great job, of course I cried- I was so nervous for her and she nailed it!    She won two character counts awards- one for Trustworthiness and one at the end of the year for representing all of the pillars of excellence during the entire school year.  She also still loves the arts, she took a drawing class and in the beginning of the year she was in an acting class where she played the role of Mama Bear in Goldilocks and the Three bears.  Oh sweet Olivia what does your future hold??  You have so many talents, your Dad and I just want you to have fun and know we love and support you for whatever you decide to do!   

The highlights of O's Kindergarten year in photos....

We LOVE you sweet Olivia !!!! 

PINK

Today I am painting with Harper E.  She was so sad to run out of pink.  The other 20 colors in her 21 color set of water colors are just not up to snuff.  I got you girl, lets add some red to the white....  JOYFUL again.  Momma's got you.  Her  tight fisted grip on the paintbrush is so completely adorable, and when she finishes a masterpiece she proclaims "it's all beautiful!"  that is her way of saying- "I'm finished, let's begin again!"  These memories will fade, but I know I won't forget this feeling of relaxed contentment to sit in the afternoon with this sweet girl, nowhere pressing to be.  Sometimes the best days are the days without big plans. xoxo



P.S. Today was exercise day for Olivia. How cute is she?

she never gives in.....she just changes her mind.

I have to amend the previous post.  I have always stood strongly behind the belief that a strong woman reserves the right to change her mind.  Harper has changed her mind.  She thinks going into the babysitting room at the gym is compete bullsh**.   She cries, and by cries I mean SCREAMS until she can't breath, and makes Miss Gina carry her around like a princess, while saying "I want my Mommy".   She was golden for two work-outs and is now back to her old ways.  I am hanging on by a thread to hope that we can work though this.  I really NEED the one hour break and time to do something good for ME.  Please sweet Harper- let's work this out.  I refuse to quit, we'll be back tomorrow.

Any suggestions??  I've let her have her binky, no help.  I had friends meet us there so she had familiar faces in there with her.....  no luck with that either.  Tomorrow I am going to go earlier- hoping that maybe she's been so emotional because we've been going pretty close to lunch time?  I've also tried just sneaking out, and I've tried to stay and play with her a little and then give a big hug and high five ...blah blah blah.  She's not buying it yet.

She's two 1/2, is that old enough for a reward chart or something?  ugh.  I'm going to bribe her tomorrow with a trip to the library afterwards if she can play for just 30 minutes......

feeling defeated.

oh yeah....and can it stop snowing in March???????????

Thank You Harper

This girl has given me a gift.

Besides the obvious gift of her cute silly self, she has recently decided to give me the gift of her independence.  She only within the last month or so has decided that she can go ON HER OWN into various babysitting rooms, classes, nurseries etc....

Previously this was the child that cried so hard when being left that she scared the other children.  I was consistently pulled out of the gym or from church to console her.  I was never upset about it, she needed me and I was ok with that, but.........

This is a game changer.  That means that I can begin to bring back into my life the balance of it all.  This week I joined (or I should say re-joined) my gym!!  I dropped Harper off in the babysitting room, she smiled and waved goodbye- and I worked out sans child for 60 glorious minutes.  When I picked her up she was so happy, showing me a picture she drew and waving goodbye to her "teachers".  I was relieved, guilt-free and felt so joyful to be getting back something that I used to take for granted- the ability to work out! (It's only Wednesday- and we've been back again, with plans for tomorrow too!) I have a treadmill in the basement, but seriously- jogging in the basement while Harper naps is the most boring workout of all time. I did it, so that I could eat cookies and still have the ability to zip my pants, but not ideal at all.  So, thank you baby girl for putting your big girl pants on and walking into that babysitting room!  You're a champ! XO   Trust me, keep this up and we'll all be happier healthier people.

On the Olivia front - she had her 6 year old physical today.  She weighs in at 44 pounds and about 44? inches (crap, I forgot!  maybe 45 inches?)  Her Dr. said she is perfectly proportional, both height and weight near the 50% mark.  I guess I better measure her height at home tomorrow.  Our 6yr old is only 6 inches taller than the two year old....... hmmmm  I wonder when H will catch up to her?  I'm kind of banking that will happen.

Happy 6 Olivia!!

**this was written about 12 days ago- sheesh it takes me so long to post things!***

This winter has been long and cold.  This winter has been snowy and cold.  This winter has been wonderful.  Olivia turns 6 in only a few short days.  I promised to make her a Barbie cake - you know, the kind with Barbie coming out of it- and her dress is the cake?  I am going to make that.  We're having some family over to celebrate before her Birthday this weekend, so I am going to make a practice cake.  Then she's having about 16 friends to a mini-golf party the weekend after her Birthday- and that's when I have to fancy it up.  I love that the small act of making a cake makes her so happy.  

February is keeping us busy, which I love- because after the buzz of the holidays, January was nice and calm and now we are all eagerly awaiting spring and it's nowhere in sight (ahem, 7 below this morning with -24 wind chill!) I feel like keeping busy is the only way to muddle through bleak February.  Olivia's Birthday is our ray of sunshine during this gloomy time of year.  We're celebrating her Birthday twice, we hosted a Super Bowl party, teaching at church, I've found some time to volunteer in O's classroom.  Life is good. 

Oh my sweet Olivia.  What can I say about this past year?  You are 101 days into Kindergarten.  You are brilliant.  I am so proud, so much in love with you, so over the moon, that I could burst.  You are kind, and funny, you are strong and brave, you are fearless.  We volunteered at Feed My Starving Children (twice) and you urgently raised your hand to volunteer to say the blessing over the boxes of food that we had just finished packing. Without a waiver in your voice, you spoke up, in front of at least 60 people, and asked God to bless the food, you said you were so thankful to be able to help, and you were so excited for all of the children that would be receiving the food.  I was never more proud of you.  I hope you never lose your self confidence and always know that your voice was meant to be spoken and heard.  I think you are a born leader.    You are learning to read.  Each night now you read to me, and I'm blown away at how quickly the words are coming to you now.  I know that in a blink of an eye, I'll be finding you with a flashlight under the covers reading chapter books into the night.  I can't wait.

  You are navigating the big crazy world of elementary school with so much strength.  You've come home jumping for joy and have shed a few tears all resulting from the treatment of some of the boys on the bus.  It breaks my heart for you when things don't go your way, but I so impressed at and grateful that you talk it through with me, and together we work it out.  I hope that for the rest of your life you know I am in your corner.  You are resilient, but you can lean on me. 

I can't wait to find out what you are going to want to devote your talents to.  You are interested in everything.  You are in soccer and Daisies right now.  You are signed up to take gymnastics and I plan to have you take swimming again.  You've been in floor hockey, and ballet.  You are an artist, a writer, an actor and a singer.  As your parent I just want you to be happy, have fun and get some exercise.  I'm not sure where you will end up, but you're Dad and I will be your biggest fans no matter what it is you pick. 

You still answer the question of "what would you like to be when you grow up?" by quickly answering "a scientist!".  I wouldn't be surprised at all if this ends up to be true.  You are inquisitive and resourceful.   

 You are the most fabulous 6 year old I know!  Happy Birthday sweet girl!!  I love you head to toe.

Christmas blew past, we're already approaching Olivia's 6th birthday in a few weeks. We've had some record cold weather (-40 degree wind chills) and multiple school closings. We celebrated Grandpa Scheffels 90th birthday with him in Destin FL. Olivia loves being in Girl Scouts as a Daisy, both girls play soccer and Harper has finally learned to separate from Mom for a little bit - attending an hour long class on her own!

Life has been keeping us busy.

Here's a whole bunch of pics that I just haven't had time to post/ write about.

Xoxo




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