Kindergarteners!

Today, Haley and Abby officially became kindergarteners.  They are with their teachers and their classes right now, as I type this!  Last Friday at 5 pm the class lists were posted and we found out that Abby is in Ms. Dorrian's class with a lot of kids from Rocking Horse Ranch, and that Haley is in Ms. Schewe's (I know it's crazy but you pronounce it Shavey) class, which is a K-1 combo class.  We walked over to see where their classrooms are and as I looked at Haley's classroom door I was suddenly in tears.  Thinking of my sweet Haley Joy and Abby Faith walking through those doors into their new, big girl lives made me super teary!

Yesterday the school had a kindergarten potluck, at which we got to meet the teachers and lots of other kinder families.  I think that really helped Haley and Abby get excited because they got to play with friends from preschool and dance class and see their cubbies and hear a little bit about what the first day would be like.

This morning was the big morning and both girls looked so grown-up all decked out in their new school clothes (thank you Grandma Jackie for taking them shopping) and with their new back-packs.  Grandma Jackie and Auntie Melissa came over to see them, and they got a phone call from Auntie Laura to wish them a wonderful day (too bad they were watching Shaun The Sheep and Auntie Laura couldn't quite compete!).  We made it to school on time and excited but nervous.  As we were walking up to the school they asked me if I was going to cry, and Abby said "just pretend you're just dropping us off at the park, mom."!  Once she was in her classroom, Abby was good to go.  I said goodbye and she hardly acknowledged me!  No long hugs or sweet kisses from her!  Haley looked pretty close to tears, but she didn't cry, and when it was time for parents to leave she walked over to the rug and sat with a friend from her dance class.

So far, I haven't cried.  It feels unreal.  I can't wait to pick them up and hopefully hear at least some things about their day.  I told them that when I ask them to tell me about their day, they better not say "it was good."  Haley said "Okay, mom.  But I might only tell you have because I might be pretty tired"!  I guess I'll have to settle for half!

Abby was tired of taking pictures but we told her that EVERYONE has to take a picture by the front door on the first day of school!

Yikes!

Two weeks from today, my sweet, baby girls are starting kindergarten.  As desperate as I feel for a break from my kids, I don't feel ready for them to be gone from 8:15-2:00 all week long.  I know they are going to love it, and I'm sure I will grow to love it as well, but it's a big change.  It's the end of our lives as we know it; of the only season of parenting that I know.  The pre-school season, when my kids have been with me basically all day, every day, or at least for the vast majority of the time.  It's the beginning of the rest of our lives.  From here on out, school will be a HUGE part of our days.  I will be in the dark about what's happening during the majority of my daughters' days. 

I think the best way to describe how it feels is bittersweet.  I feel like that's the way watching my kids grow up always feels.  Its so sad to see the baby-ness being left behind, but it's exciting and even pride inducing to see them grow and master new things.  Bittersweet.  That's definitely what my heart feels right now.

Summer Fun

Goodness, it's been a long time since I've posted!  The kids have been going to bed later, so, by the time I'm done picking up from the day and doing a little laundry, I'm ready to go to bed.  No night-time blogging!  It's been fun having them up a little later, though (later being like, 7:30!) because we can actually play after dinner.  We usually just play in the backyard, but a couple times we've all gone on bike rides!

I know some people might disagree (teachers, mostly) but this summer has felt REALLY long!  Having Abby and Haley out of preschool and together all day, every day has proven VERY challenging!  We have had some fun times this summer, even with all the sibling rivalry!

We got to go up to Camp Hammer and visit.  It was a highlight of my summer.  It was so great to be there, and the kids absolutely LOVED it (which made me so happy)!

All three kiddos have done swim lessons all summer long.  Haley and Abby have done really well learning freestyle and backstroke.  Abby really seems to be a swimmer, and is always really calm and well-behaved after swim lessons.  Seth, on the other hand, is now convinced that he can swim, so we're not so sure swim lessons have been the best for him!

We've had lots of fun beach days.

There is a Quickstop kind of across the street from our house, and the driveway to it has a huge blackberry bush.  We love to go over there and pick some yummy treats!

We've done some gardening.  What I love about this picture is the outfits; naked with rainboots, a dance costume, and a super warm fleece dress (on a super warm evening)!

We've done miscellaneous projects, like the peanut butter playdough in this picture.

Mostly, we've just played in the backyard.  In the "pool", on the trampoline, in the sprinkler, picking strawberries, doing bubbles and sidewalk chalk, and even some painting.

Haley's Sleep Study

Last night Haley and I spent the night at the sleep center so Haley could have a sleep study done.  We did it about a year ago with Abby and it showed that she had sleep apnea, which was taken care of by having her tonsils out.  Lately, Haley has been looking super tired and been a bit irritable throughout the day even though she's been sleeping more than enough hours.  So, a sleep study it was. 

The questionnaire that I had to fill out had lots of questions that I didn't know the answer to (since I don't stand and watch my children sleep), but, after sleeping in the same room as her, I can say that, yes, she does stop breathing every so often, she tosses and turns like a maniac, and she snores quite a bit! 

Anyway, Haley was super excited to do the sleep study (since Abby already got to do one), and our neighbor's sweet daughter in law was our sleep technician (she hooked all the electrode things on Haley) which was a fun bonus!  We go back on August 1st to find out the results.

So excited to go sleep at the sleep center!

I took this picture so she could see what she looked like.  She just stared and stared at it:)

All ready to have her sleep studied!

Big Questions

We are really open with the girls about their adoption, but they really haven't asked many questions about it.  They talk about how they grew in "momma Robin's" tummy, and how, when they lived with her (until they were 19 months old) she always let them _____________ (fill in the blank with whatever thing they are wanting to do that I am saying no to)!

This morning, as we were pulling out of our driveway on the way to the park, Haley said "Mom, how did you know momma Robin and why did she give us to you?"  It seemed out of the blue to me, but reminded me that my kiddos are thinking about big things in those little minds of theirs.  So, I told her that they had a social worker who's job is to make sure children are safe in their homes, and she decided that, since momma Robin was still learning to take care of herself, that they would be safer somewhere else.  I told her that I had been praying for twins and that God made sure that we were the ones who got to be their parents.  Haley responded with "hey mom, is that an exercise place?" (we were at a stoplight by a gym that had it's doors open)!  Okay, I guess that was all, or maybe more than, she wanted to know at the time.

Wrong.  A few minutes later she said "Does momma Robin love me more, or do you love me more?"  Seriously, it's a good thing I pray for wisdom every day, because how on earth would I ever answer these questions on my own!  I told her that momma Robin loves her with all her love and that I love her with all my love.  That seemed to satisfy her.  It's amazing to me to know that she's really working on making sense of her little life situation.  She sure is a special girl:)

Red, White, And Blue

I think yesterday was my favorite 4th of July to date.  Yes, there were some meltdowns, tears, hitting, screaming, but I'm pretty sure that will be part of every day until Christ returns!

We started the day off with the Worlds Shortest Parade in Aptos.  There is really nothing spectacular about it, but it's just a fun community event.  We got there early to stake out our spot and our friends, the Hughes, joined us shortly.  Laura and I took the kiddos to get doughnuts (I think it's their favorite part of the parade tradition) and they all chose "sprinkler" doughnuts!  Then, we just hung out and waited!

The parade was actually really fun.  Seth was thrilled that he got to see tubas and cymbals and drums in the marching band!  Abby was excited to see the "polar bear dogs" (those big white furry kind).  Laura and I were excited that it was super warm, and not foggy like it normally is!

After the parade and some rest time, we went to a free family swim at the local swim center.  It was pretty crazy, but super fun.  Abby and Haley are really swimming well, and Seth is just a wild maniac in the water.  It was definitely a good thing that we had three adults for three kids (what would we ever do without our dear Auntie Laura).

Carey barbequed delicious burgers for dinner and after dinner Laura and I went and laid (is that supposed to be "lied", "lay", "lie"?) down on the grass in the sunshine.  Haley and Abby came and cuddled with us and Carey and Seth went and got their guitars and sat on the patio and played some music.  It was really nice.  Then, because a peaceful moment can't last too long, Abby jumped up and yelled "naked trampoline", stripped off her clothes, helped Seth strip off his, and the two of them dashed off to the trampoline, where they thoroughly entertained Laura, Haley and I.  Gosh, it really was so fun.

Abby, Aubrey, and Haley enjoying their doughnuts!

Beading red, white, and blue necklaces while waiting for the parade:)

Look at Haley's cute face as she watches the parade.

It's not a parade with out tears!  Haley's balloon popped.  Need I say more?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mommy whining

Okay, I'm going to whine a little.  I'll sandwich it with the truth.  The truth is that I LOVE being a mom.  I LOVE my kids.  I know God has put our family together in a way that can bring Him glory.  I know that these things that are driving me crazy are not unique to me and my family! 

On to the whining.  First of all, I am about ready to go to Play It Again Sports and purchase a bunch of black and white striped shirts (vertical stripes) and whistles, because if I am going to be a referee all day, I might as well look the part.  Maybe the calls I make will be more respected if I actually LOOK like a ref!  I just get tired of thinking "what can we all learn from this", "how can I just be a facilitator and help them to solve this on their own", "what are the right words to say to prevent this from happening again"!  I get to the point where I really just want to say "beat each other up. Whoever wins gets the __________ (front booster seat, pink cup, chance to sing alone)!"  I haven't gotten to that point yet, but I have been WAY too close!  I have a friend with three kids who told me that this summer she has a new tactic; every time her kids come to tattle on each other or are fighting/arguing, she hands them a rag and has them wipe spots off the floor!  Genius.  That might be my plan of action tomorrow morning (when the first scuffle happens before any of our neighbors are even awake)!

The other thing that's driving me crazy (and that I'm feeling a little guilty about) is that I REALLY don't like playing pretend with them.  Today, the four of us where in the pool (it's one of those round, plastic ones) and we were pretending to be on a raft paddling through rapids and dodging waterfalls.  So fun!  But it can't ever stay that way.  It somehow ALWAYS takes a turn and I become the mommy and they are my newborn babies.  Now, this is where the guilt comes in.  I know that it's really healthy and good play for the girls.  They are basically doing their own play therapy!  They curl up on the ground and I hunch over them and they pretend to be born.  That's fine.  It's once I have the three (Seth usually joins in) "newborn" babies, the pretend play becomes just like my normal life.  I suddenly have three little ones who are literally climbing over each other and pushing each other to be in my arms and have all my attention.  And, I know this is dumb, but as they tell me how old they are (0 or 1 day or 2 weeks) and they do things like crawl or say words or whatever I get so annoyed because that's just not "pretend age" appropriate!  I know, I'm lame:)

I am so thankful that I have three healthy kiddos that have all their limbs (to hit and kick each other with) and working minds (to come up with great arguments) and adorable faces (to make us keep them)!  It really is a super big blessing.  I'm thankful that we have a home and a yard and that they even want to play with me.  I'm thankful I have the "luxury" of staying home and being able to play with them (at the expense of laundry being done, floors being swept, food being prepared, phone calls being returned).  I do know that there is really no room for whining or complaining in this incredible life the Lord has blessed me with.  Thank you, God for your grace and mercy:)