snapshot of a typical afternoon

Flashback Friday

Just a little bit longer....and we'll be beach bound! I can't wait to share my love of all things beachy with my little one's. (Photo from 2006 OBX trip)

Bling Bling Fuchsia

I love that her feet are bruised, boo-boo'd and very dirty...yet her twinkle toes are pink. It is an outward expression of who she is.

Very pink. She is all things pink, but yet not afraid of a little dirt and always fearless.

Oh, and clumsy.

More Treasures

Thought I'd post some artwork from my little men too. Artwork above by Nick (cutting and glueing at the Montessori)
Below: Sunday School treasures!

Not for Sale

Original preschool masterpieces by little known artist, Kate Kazmaier. Amazing expressionistic & abstract compositions bearing bold color, imprecise shapes, and childlike imagery.

Haha! Perfect and fun when seen through the eyes of her mom! :)

1st Day of Kindergarten-Jonathan

With a snap of a picture and a blink of an eye, away he went. My tiny boy. My 5-year-old. Driving away on that big yellow bus. I stood silently and said a prayer that the complete stranger behind the wheel would get my baby to school safely. And as I walked back to my quiet house, a rush of thoughts came to me…how can this possibly be harder than dropping him off to daycare when he was just 8 weeks old? It is. It's harder. Why on earth did I rush this?

I can't really remember kindergarten myself, but I can imagine the mix of emotions my son was dealing with, because I was dealing with the same ones on the mommy level. His hesitation was apparent to all present at the bus stop...his little arm around my hips, his head digging in to my side.

We had a moment...last night. Jonathan and I. I went up to his room and crawled up the ladder of his bunk bed to kiss him goodnight and talk to him about his big day. I explained to him that if he saw mommy cry at the bus stop in the morning it was because she was both happy and sad. Happy he was going to kindergarten and sad because he was growing up on her. Tears trickled down my cheeks. I had NO control. With red eyes and tiny tears wet on his own cheeks, he crawled over and gave me the biggest, most genuine hug and said with a brave and comforting tone, "Mommy, I'm really going to miss you."


A sweet shot straight to the heart.

I told myself I wasn't going to cry when I put him on the bus. I knew I wouldn't be the only one if I did, but the thought of crying in public, no matter how sentimental the reason, was just too embarrassing. My own personal waterworks began after I returned home from dropping Nick and Kate off at preschool. I'd held it together up until that moment but coming home to a quiet, empty house...I let it go. Boy did I let it go.
It was official, my first baby was a big kindergarten boy.

I had to restrain Kate...she was halfway up the steps of the bus. No fear.

Jonathan's friends and fellow Kindergartener's

The apprehensive walk up the hill with Daddy

They insisted they take their backpacks to see their big brother off.

B2(P)S

Back to Preschool!

A few days a week, Nick and Kate will go to the Montessori near our home. As always, I'm nervous for them. Admittedly, we've been fairly structure-less this summer. A new routine, new friends and a new environment will be quite an adjustment for them both. Jason and I are comforted knowing it is an amazing place academically and knowing the kids will be loved. We are even more comforted knowing, although in separate classrooms most of the day, they will start and end their day together. Nick is a great big brother to Kate, and since this is not a new environment for him (since he attended last fall), we know he will help her fit right in.

So today it's just Jonathan and I (he starts school Wed)...it's REALLY, REALLY quiet in this house. And of course, I'm emotional. There were no tears today (the kids, nor me), but I have a feeling when we do this all over again tomorrow, all parties involved might be a bit tearful when reality hits.

My little pair

Boys will be boys

What is it about boys and the sprinkler on the tinkler?

Or the bum?

...and don't tell me it's just my son. :)

Race for a Cure

I have found that one of running's greatest benefits is its powers of stress-relief...especially as a mom. I at least start my day with relaxation and renewal by venturing into the darkness of pre-dawn out onto the roads for a good sweat. After a cool shower, I take a deep breath and prepare for another day of of the sometimes endless mayhem. I'm so grateful for these ladies....because of them, I never do it alone. We run together, we sweat together, we share together. They are a great source of accountability, wisdom and laughter.

2010 Race for a Cure-H-O-T. Our neighborhood dominated the 30-34 age group with 1st, 3rd and 5th place finishes. Go ladies! What an incredible thing it is to join 27,000 othe people in support of one very important cause. GO PINK!

A little Friday running humor:

Typical Weekday Morning

These lazy summer mornings end MONDAY! Let the chaos ensue when we orchestrate and balance the logistics of the bus stop and Montessori drop-off. Oh how I will miss pj's and skivvy's until noon (sometimes, all day), pillow forts, horsey rides and dancing to a mix on Pandora. Summer, I will miss you, but Fall? Oh how I long for the structure you will bring.

Wordless Wednesday

A jumpin' good time

So just like winter in the Midwest, summer can bring cabin fever. This long stretch of 100 degree temps has not allowed my kids to burn pent up energy outdoors. They have a LOT. I took them to FUN RUN for a little energy burning fun and learned that it can be a relaxing environment for a mom in the middle of the afternoon. Yes, it's loud...but to sit and just watch? Heaven.

Butterflies, Bugs and Flowers

After a long separation (okay, it was only 3 nights...and it was in reality...3 refreshing, recharging nights) we met up my with parents at Powell Gardens on Saturday to reclaim our children and, of course, for the big Butterfly Exhibit. Although another warm KC weekend in August, the kids had a great time.

I've missed my babies!

Sunday the kids stayed overnight with their cousins.

Wed & Thrusday the kids stayed overnight with their Meme.

Friday the kids stayed overnight with their Gaga.

Tonight? They are all ours.

Jason and I have never been away from them for so long...and decided that although peace and quiet is a beautiful thing, we prefer the chaos and noise of our children home.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com