Purple

 My favorite color. My favorite girl.

Purplicious!

Summer's end

As I look out on this last day of our summer vacation, I think about how quickly these last couple months went by; even if there were days when I thought I would literally pull my hair out if I heard "I'm bored. What are we doing today?" one.more.time!

We spent plenty of lazy days at the beach, or swimming at the pool. I didn't read as much as I'd like to have but the books I did read were enjoyable.

As we get our things together for the start of school: Butter's first day is tomorrow and Roo has a "practise day" Wednesday and then starts his half day afternoon schedule on Thursday. I am forced to acknowledge the passage of time. Second grade, my girl is starting second grade that's ONLY ten grades shy of graduation! I could blink and it would be here. My "baby", yeah well, I just a titch ready for him to test those wings. We've had potty issues over the summer, we've had melt-downs and power struggles that I thought would have been long gone. He's ALWAYS been on his OWN time frame. He's wicked smart, when he's interested and curious about what he's learning. Staying focused on the not so fun/interesting things, well, that is going to be a challenge. I can already hear the feedback from his teacher...he likes to be silly...let's just say she's been warned.

I will never forget the look on Butter's face when we went to meet her new teacher. She was hesitant, cautious and then when former students started to trickle in to give their "old" teacher a hug and say hi, she then decided her new teacher couldn't be too bad if she gave hugs, and I could imagine that she was already planning ahead to next year when SHE would be the one stopping by and how the teacher would then embrace her in sweet remembrance!

Butter has grown a lot over this last year. She is really starting to cut her path, determine who she is and who she wants to be. She is serious about her school work. She enjoys learning. She is cautious about who she chooses as friends and is beginning to see she MUST be in order to have the really good ones!

Just in the last month she learned to ride her bike without training wheels. I love to watch her go. Being her mom I get to watch the fear rise up and see how she copes and eventually overcomes it. Sometimes I'm there to push and other times I sit and watch. She always comes out just a bit more sassy...

She is learning about money. She doesn't like not having it! (Do any of us?) Lessons can sometimes be hard, but sometimes the best way to teach them is to be completely open and honest. Our kids learned a valuable one over our vacation. (So did Rob and I.) I followed my gut and not my desire to go along blindly with my wishful husband. He can be intoxicating at times with his rosy view. I had to be the hammer. I had to be the one to break the glass. At the time it hurt, it was incredibly painful. I still see their faces at night when I close my eyes. The very next day my family learned that Momma was right, she wasn't ruining something, she was protecting something else. It was difficult for my husband to admit I was right, I think it was harder for him to admit to himself he had been wrong, he should have been more diligent, careful, mindful.

I hated being right; but ever since I've been giving praises.

We've heard a lot of bad news lately, it's in the newspapers, it's on blogs, it's right here close to home. My heart bleeds. I can get completely wrapped up in the pain of it all. Reading about a family who lost there 7 year old daughter to a rare form of meningitis because she went swimming in a lake...Or reconnecting with old friends and hearing how they had to let their home go back to the bank and are now starting over...hearing about the loss of two family members in one month for an in law...the earthquake on the other side of the earth. Pay cuts right here in our own home.

This last week, when we had to make our own fun; when we had to stop waiting for the perfect {fill in the blank}. Becoming overwhelmed in the pain is easy, praying your heart takes commitment but choosing joy, now that takes guts, determination. It takes a CHOICE. I am so glad I made choices this last week.

We took Butter to the AMerican Girl store out at Mall of America. She had been saving her gift certificates to get herself another doll. Ruthie needed a sister. Speaking of Ruthie, look how sweet the girls look in their matching AGChicago shirts and sparkly red shoes! Butter got compliments all through the store, which see acted like it wasn't a big deal but I so know better! (wink wink) After we figured out what she could and could not afford, we went to the dessert bar, you know how shopping can take a lot out of a girl, or ahem Roo...

He asked where the boy dolls were. He was a little upset to see all the "borrow a doll" dolls were girls, but that was until he got his ice cream, then he didn't care, it meant he didn't have to share it!

Ruthie and Butter decided on the Mini tray...

Which turned out to be NOT so mini.

Rob pointed out the Swatch shop; Do you remember swatches? Why don't I remember them being so expensive? Well, about 6 months ago Rob promised Butter he'd buy her a watch. She found one she had to have, a swatch no less, and she was determined for follow through. {insert laughter} I knew how much the watch was, I also knew Rob is a push-over when it comes to following through with his sweet-angel faced daughter. He honestly thought the watch was less, much less...

She has been wearing it everyday and taking wonderful care of it. I won't go into how upset the boy was...sorry bud, ain't gonna happen, not until you're going into second grade and ONLY if you can prove your responsible...

I love being able to say "Hey Butter what time is it?" and she has to answer me instead of the other way around!

We ended our trip to the big mall by stopping at Ikea.

I am now having dreams of a new pantry on our small/not enough storage kitchen. I'm starting me another envolope.

Goodbye summer of 2010: we thank you for the lessons we've learned.

It's October!

I had a great time yesterday with 'I See What Your Saying'. I have met so many new friends.
Today I got news G'ma L. went to the hospital last night.

Good news Mom and Dad (Peaches ) are back finally from Whidbey Island. (Seattle) We are over joyed that they are back!

Butter has been turning into a little diva. (The apple not far from the tree I guess)

Today she came dressed for school in leggings, top, headband, knit gloves and asking for her make-up. LOL

She's 5. Someone, gave her High School Musical lipsticky stuff for her birthday last year. I HID the stuff. She found it over the summer and is obsessed with it. Anytime she'd leave it laying around I'd pick it up and hide it. She'd ask her Dad for it. Peaches would give it to her. I began throwing them away...(she wouldn't miss them right?) Umm WRONG! Well, I thought we were over it, I threw them all away. She found one. Cleverly asks me "Mom, where is my HSM make-up?" "Butter, I don't know. They are all gone. They got lost over the summer, 'member you'd take them places." She kept asking and asking. I figured she KNEW something.

"Butter, If you know something I don't why don't you just tell me instead of arguing with me about it." Sure enough. She found one in a drawer in the downstairs closet behind mountains of out grown clothes. I'm shaking my head at two things Why was she in THERE? And That KID is persistent to a fault! For the last few days also she been sitting in the back of the bus. My sweet little angel girl who as soon as she got on sat right by the door is now boldly walking confidently to the back of the bus. "Well, Mom that's where Brock, Micah and Emily sit." (These are kindergartners.) When I asked why the change of seats, she says "We like it better in the back."
Like it BETTER? Better for what? I used to ride the bus...not that I did anything...but yeah, the back was the place to be...you know away from the bus driver. You were cool if you sat in the back. But you had to be accepted to sit in the back...Is she one of the COOL kids? Will she turn into a "mean girl" She's obsessed with make-up, clothes, she talks a lot about boys more then girls.

You've all seen MY pictures and Peaches'. Coolness does NOT run in this family. It wouldn't surprise me if she had lots of friends, she is sweet. But cool kids have reps to protect. AKA Grease Lighting?
I know I have to be blowing this out of proportion. Who's got advice?

On another level of cute, Roo came down and sat on my lap for a chat. We talked of trucks, cars the color red. All of his favorites. Then he squeezed my neck and says "I love you Mamma." And the hug went on forever. He is such a sweet snugly boy.

Can y'all believe it's October? It's my second favorite month!

My Moon

These were pictures I took of Butter, gasp, 5 years ago. Summer was ending, and I must have seen some prints of kids with flowers. For all the pain and stress and worry she brought me in pregnancy she more then made up for as a baby. She slept well. Ate well. She was a happy, easy baby.

She was a good sport being the "first". All the outfits and pictures and crazy things first time moms put those first babies through...

I never called her a princess. She wasn't to me, I knew that just below those chubby cheeks and sweet giggle lay an independent sass of a girl waiting to burst forth and tell the world here I am and I don't wait for stars to wish upon, I light my own way! It was like she was watching me, sucking up the limits and boundaries. Then slowly she started to make her world her own. By that I mean picking her own clothes, choosing her breakfast and lunches, where her furniture in her room went. What color to paint her room. She has opinions. She is not afraid to speak her mind around us and often times tries to instruct Peaches and I on what we need to do. I am not complaining. I am proud that my girl is sassy. I was/am sassy, I get her in a way that my mother never understood in me. In class she is thoughtful, helpful and a good listener. Once she is set free to do...it's all HER way. I am so proud of her.

I could she how strong she'd be even back then. I can't wait to see what she has in store for the world the next 5 years...and the 5 years after that...and after that. She is definitely no body's princess. She is the Moon. The Earth doesn't revolve around her, She chooses to revolve around the Earth, making her own space, watching everything from above it. Once a month she SHINES bright as the sun and once a month you wonder where she went? Then there she is again glowing magically before your eyes.

First day of school

It was a crazy day Thursday. Butter's first day of school, I was so proud of her! Peaches and I have been telling her all week that she had to set her clothes out for school the night before and come upstairs dressed and ready for school. She kept saying "I know. I KNOW!" But would still come upstairs in her jammies. Well not Thursday! She was dressed and ready. When I put her to bed she had already picked her clothes for today! (Friday) My heart just beams for what a big girl she is turning into.

I was not having a good morning I couldn't find the camera, what mother doesn't have a camera to take a picture of the first day of school? I retraced all my steps and realized it was stolen out of the car when we stopped for groceries. I was so upset. I took the video camera to the bus stop with us...in which you see the bus pull up, Butter race off to get on and the doors close in my face! She didn't say goodbye or even look back! The only one with tears was Roo, he wanted to go on the bus too! (Sooner then you think Roo boy!) After she left I had to run and buy film for the 35mm. Gosh is that stuff expensive! And wouldn't you know it the digital camera turned up!

That is a long story I care NOT to repeat. But lets just say I am relieved it turned out. Nick and I waited out in the driveway for Butter to get dropped off at Noon. Her bus was 20 minutes late. I was going to wait 10 more minutes then call the school! So the bus stops I've got both cameras going and the first thing Butter says as she's pointing to the bus is "Can I go to her house? She wants me to come for lunch?" I'm thinking "Who's her? and Why, hello Butter, how was your first day of school!" I gently said not today and THAT was the end of the conversation. She refused to even look at me or talk to me.( Keep in mind the video camera is still going!) I asked if I could take her picture since I missed it that morning, she did appease me by standing by the tree. Through out the rest of the day I would ask about school... no concrete answers. All I can say is she raced to the bus again today and was dressed and ready to go. I'm just guessing here but I think she LOVES it. Next up Roo's first day is Monday afternoon.

Update for Tee: She is continuing to feel better. She was released yesterday and will start school Monday. She is such a brave girl.

Nina Butter

In just a few short weeks Nina will be starting her school "career." I am excited for her. I've watched how she's grown in preschool. Now she is unto the "big time" She has become such a wonderful helper. Her brother would say she's bossy. I happen to like that. I had that instinct when I was her age. I still have it at times. It served me well. I never fell into the peer pressure trap. I stood up for myself and followed my own path. I hope that Nina does the same. What I am looking forward to most is seeing her develop her social butterfly wings!

The other night she asked if she could take our picture. Look at what a nice job she did? Maybe she'll be a photographer? Whatever she becomes, she is my precious Butter girl! I haven't told the story of Butter. When Nina was born and brought to me for the first time, I bent down to kiss her. There was this wonderful, sweet, buttery smell coming from her. This "butter" smell lasted until she was a year old. So that is where Butter comes from. Nicholas has a name too, ROO. I'll tell that story tomorrow!

Zoo Part Two

It was really neat to see the zoo through the eyes of Butter and Roo. The wonder and fascination they had for each different animal. Or when they recognized a behavior that they share with them. I don't think it had dawned on them that animal mommy's take really careful care of their babies or bears like to play and fight together. Or how slow turtles are, especially when eating. Nicholas was most fascinated by the underwater aquarium. Where he was up close to all the swimming fish.

After a long day of walking, and being in the humidity, we let Roo play in the fountains. (Butter did too but she only got her feet wet. Which is typical Butter.) What is also typical for her is running ahead of us. This would explain the lack of pictures of her, or lack of her in the pictures. She was always one thing ahead of us and I spent a fair amount of time trying to reel her in. Oh, well. She just gets less blog time!

And here he is falling, try telling them not to run is like trying to stop a train.

Sunny Sunday

We spent the day celebrating with the cousins. It was Preston's 2nd birthday party. We swam we ate, we sang , we swam some more and we ate cake. Oh did I mention the bag of candy Uncle Chuck brought???

Both the kids loved to pool and were comfortable going right in without hesitation. Nicky almost forgot his swimming vest! He was so excited. This time though he got brave and noodled out to the deep end.

Butter swam in her vest and fish, then tried just the fish, then just the vest, and then with goggles! Silly Girl, you have to put your face IN the water if your wearing goggles. Butter used them to keep the splashes out of her eyes.

For some unknown reason to me I didn't get a picture of the birthday boy! Oops! Next time.Hope your Sunday was fun too!

A perfect summer day.

It was a beautiful sunny, mild day. Peaches was home today and we enjoyed some family fun time. To start things off, art on the patio with sidewalk chalk.

Roo had more chalk on him I think then the patio.

After drawing, it was time for a dip in the pool. Butter shows us how to ride the slide!

And not to be left out, Piper had to get in on the fun. She loves to play fetch. She will bark non-stop until somebody , anybody throws the ball.

We enjoy playing outside. We love spending time together and hanging out. Tonight maybe smores and a bonfire...But for now we leave you with Piper and her smile.