Stressed.

I admit, I'm a bit stressed out. Ek going to first grade? no. H starting at TCS? no. L starting at FUMC? no. sigh. Ek has a loose tooth! Really loose. Like probably won't make it through the weekend. Ahhh! And in its place will come a big adult tooth. I begged Ek tonight not to loose it. I told her as long as she had baby teeth, she was my baby. She laughed and laughed. I laughed on the outside. It is so funny the milestones that get you. But this one is getting me. I am going to Women of Faith in Atlanta tomorrow and I just gotta say- I sure hope I come home and find her mouth not lacking that sweet little tooth.

Yesterday's Busy afternoon

...after this afternoon, its no wonder why I didn't write this last night!!

3:00 pick up Ek

3:15 snack

3:20 practice spelling words

3:30 play

4:00 start oven

4:10 put casserole in oven

4:15 visit with neighbor

4:30 bike ride

4:45 change clothes

5:00 dinner

5:15 load car

5:30 drop off Ek to Christy to take to dance

5:50 arrive at soccer game

6:00 soccer game

7:00 leave soccer game

7:15 grocery store

8:00 pick up Ek and Caroline

8:10 take Caroline home

8:30 bath

8:50 pajamas and teeth

9:00 practice Bible verses and pray

9:10 lights out

First Game Ever

H's first soccer game was last night! He did very well. He ran very hard and in the right direction. He did kick the ball a few times! His team won like 11-4. They seemed to have great fun and H is excited to play tonight with Daddy in the yard.

L's morning

Today was L's first day at preschool. She was very excited, mostly about her book bag! She walked right in and was very quiet but seemed peaceful. When I got her after Bible study, her teacher said the only thing little about her was her size! She said she talked so well, her vocabulary is very large and she loved dancing! She was very happy to see me and was very cute talking about her day. Cute girl!

I'm listening...

Had a really great morning this morning... want to remember it...

So L was at church, Ek at school, H at school. It was the morning I have been waiting for, not at all to be away from them!!! but to get a minute to spend with God. in the Word and in prayer. I have been thinking on Psalm 23 for several weeks, especially that God leads me beside still waters and restores my soul. Honestly- lately my water has felt more like trying to drink while running a race, they hand you these neat little cups of water that are almost full and it is so hard to even get a sip, water is everywhere except going down your throat!, so most of it is thrown to the ground while running along. I wanted to sit still and quiet and drink. So I drop L off and head for the sancutary. I began by saying hi to God and opening to John 17, I just prayed and prayed for unity and just wanted to hear Jesus' heart for me today. After a while I read several other things I just couldn't wait to turn to Psalm 23. I read over it and just told God I wanted to get it. I wanted to know how a shepherd takes care of his sheep. So I headed up to Bible study and we are beginning Pricilla Shirer's "Discerning the Voice of God." Before the video Rhonda asked us 8 questions that we wrote down the answers and then talked over it. One question was "Who does God talk to?" and my answer was 'his sheep hear his voice.' I knew it was a verse, but I didn't know where it was. Well then the video began and it was all about verse John 10:27, "My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me." Wow! I think God may is speaking to me! Then she mentioned Philip Keller's book, "A shepherd looks at Psalm 23," which is exactly what I was asking the Lord for this morning in my prayer was a greater understanding of that Psalm! Wow what a morning. Can't wait to see how this story continues.

Parts

Today Ek auditioned for the Nutcracker. She is quite excited. It was so fun to see old Nutcracker friends and see some new faces. Us moms, seemed more nervous for the girls, not really nervous, but just want them to shine who they are. One little girl made me laugh, she is 4, in the other K4 class at TCS, she didn't want to go up on stage to audition, so she told her mom to go in there are just tell the judges that she wanted to be Clara. Hilarious. Ek was not quite that bold. I think she will be happy to be a part not matter what part. She has mentioned that she would like to be a mouse or a chopstick kid, which is good because that will probably be it!

Fence trouble

Good ole H had a great first full week at school. He is doing great appropriate school work, playing hard and having a blast. A little bit of trouble on the playground that we are trying hard to fix. Rocks. H loves to throw. If he can't find a ball, he will find something. He and Will came up with a great game on the playground to throw rocks through a metal crawl-through tube to each other, it was cooperative, it was loud, it was the closest to a ball game they could make. Unfortunately, it was against the rules. rats. on the fence. for timeout. in the very hot sunshine. but his sweet teacher did give them a water break. Next day, H decided to help out, he decided to throw the rocks over the fence so no other boys would throw rocks at each other. Way to go H. Actually, that is against the rules too. back to the fence. in the hot sunshine. sigh. So Saturday, J, the kids and I went to Wal-mart, Hibbet Sports, Hobbs sports, K-mart and Fred's before we found 4 solid four square balls to donate to TCS for the kids to enjoy. And enjoy I hope they do. And I really hope H can stay off the fence tomorrow.

Finally

I must recount L's preschool orientation...

She continued to ask everyday for about 5 days at TCS 'where my class?' which was just too cute and made me sad-- she is only 2!! So the day had come for orientation, she was so excited. She told J several times and just was acting so big about it. Finally the moment came to leave, she quickly told me to get her backpack and put it in the car. Now she is 2, mind you! So we get there and I go to get her out of the car and she says, 'bye, mommy.' I mean really L, give me a minute to have you as my baby! So I walk her in and the second she gets to her class, finally, she shrugs her little shoulders and tucks her chin in and pokes her lips out and gets nervous. What? So I calmly look around with her, there are about 5 children sitting and coloring, which she didn't want to do. But then all of the sudden it was like she made up her mind that she was ready, she walked over to hand up her backpack, walks over to the table and doesn't look back, I say bye to her and she turns around and says, 'bye, mommy!' and I was on my way. Too much. I go to my meeting and go back to get her about 30 minutes later and the teacher said she did great, that she was just dancing to their little songs and had a ball. Funny little, tiny girl. Her first day is Tuesday, I'll be sure to report full details.

Silly

my kids make me laugh...

yesterday H's buddy Jack rode with L, H and me to soccer practice. On the way there, Jack said, "Mrs. Katharine, what's that smell?" I had cleaned some of the carpet in my car that day, so I explained that to Jack and he said, "oh... I like it." strange, I thought. When we arrive at the field, I open L's door and gasp. Jack had given her Ek's purse and she had graciously tried on some of Ek's play lipstick and fruity lip gloss, it was all over her face from ear to ear and chin to nose. She looked a bit disastrous, but smelled delightful, just ask Jack.

Lately we have encouraged H to stay in his bed at night by telling him, if he stays in his bed, he keeps all his animals. He loses animals when he gets out and about. which he did tonight. Ek and L sound asleep. H out and about. So Teddy came downstairs. H cried and cried. I went back up to comfort him. He was so sad, missed Teddy so much. Said he couldn't sleep with out him. I laid next to him, stroked his head a few times. He flopps himself over for like 5 seconds, turns to me and says... "Did Sam ride on an airplane with Ek lived in Texas?" what??? No, H, he didn't. "Did Ek?" yes "Daddy" yes "You?" yes, and you rode on a plane when you were only 7 days old. "Did Ek ride on an helicopter?" no. "Did Aisley and Brennan ride on a helicopter?" Good night H.

Cake art

Us moms needed a girls night out! So Tuesday night we did something we had talked about for months, we took a cake decorating class from our sweet local baker (pun totally intended). We had so much fun. Christy and Rachel were telling us about taking their sons to their first football practice earlier that afternoon- they said they wer humming inside from excitement- I think I would describe us the same way. We learned so many fun tricks and just had a ball. We were so excited to learn something new, it was really so much fun!

and after H found it and was alone in the kitchen with it for a moment... :)

Always

I think we should be careful using the words "always" and "never." It seems in so many instances they should be reserved for the character of God. He never changes. He is always there. H made me giggle yesterday using always, twice. The first was after school. Last week I was lying down L at 12:30 and knew H wasn't quite ready to lay down. I knew if I got him too involved is something downstairs I would have a hard time getting him upstairs, so I had the idea of taking a board game up to his room and playing for a bit there before we read and napped. He was quite excited and we are having a ball. It has been great H time, fun to play with just him and also a great way to enforce some learning from school- numbers, counting, letters, etc. So we have been doing this everyday for a week. Yesterday he said, "mommy, after lunch, lets do what we always do, lets play a game in my room." It doesn't take much to establish a routine. Then yesterday evening we were on his way to his second soccer practice and he said, "mommy, can I drink my Powerade after soccer?" I said I don't know if you will get Powerade this time. he said, "no mommy, we always get Powerade after soccer practice." Wow, that routine was quickly established. Yesterday we had cake for snack, I guess I don't need to be surprised if he requests he snack we always have.

Moving up to 2

Tonight was almost my first night of having 2 kids in sports. H had soccer at 5:45 and Ek had dance at 6:15. J and I had easily worked it out, he was coming to soccer and would stay, I'd leave and take Ek. I was making dinner at 4:30 when the rain and thunder began, so we at supper at 5 for nothing. No soccer. H was disappointed but kept on, Ek was glad she dances inside. I am so grateful that my kids are able to live their little childhood dreams of activities and I pray that they will use them wisely.

Take me out to the yard

Today was really a nice day. We had no plans and no call so we spent most of the day together. Here is how our morning began, with some baseball practice. All partcipated. H began-- at one point I felt like I was pitching for the Home Run Derby, he was hitting the ball so well. I was really proud of Ek hitting so well too! And L too!

Chalk up another one

Another first for H! Today we took off his training wheels. I knew this would be the summer, but today on a family bike ride he was riding so hard and so fast I knew today should be the day. H went in the house to hide with Ek quickly behind to talk him into it while J took off the training wheels. He was quite nervous but really Ek talked him into it. And she showed him how. What a great big sister she is! So he tired and he did so great! He probably went up and down the drive way like 20 times. He has not quite turned yet, just straight lines. Actually he tried one time to turn around and ran into the basketball post. whups. But he got back on. I am so proud of him! And he is proud of him too.

Another first

H has finally made it, after 4 years of waiting, he is finally on his first sports team. yeah! He is playing rec soccer and is quite excited about it. He has several friends on his team including Jack, William and Blake. We had a great time watching him last night. He was excited all day, he wanted to wear his soccer cleats to school, but considering soccer practice wasn't until 6:45, I thought we could wait a bit. He went right out onto the field, participated with great enthusiasm and had a great time. Hooray!

Choices we make

One more thought on back to school. One thing I love about our little school is that it is little. Well 450 students little. but the kids interact and know kids of all ages. Ek and H are so excited to be there together and I was very interested to learn this little tidbit. Ek said she wanted the teacher she got because she keeps her door open and the other first grade teacher does not, she thought she would have a greater chance of seeing H walk by with the teacher she has. sigh. things are going good.

First Day

In the famous words of Nemo, today was the "First Day of School! First Day of School! First Day of School!" The kids were really quite excited. There was big conversation as to who was going to go to their room first. H was selected because EK told H that she wanted to see his friends. So off we go, after our traditional picture next to the Dogwood tree, and we get to H's room. He needs to go potty and on his way decided that he actually wants to go to Ek's room first. But I stay positive and up-beat and tell him he is going to have a great day. Then he was concerned that Will Brown wasn't there yet. I tell him he'll have a great day. We all give him a hug, starting with L and leave him to find dinosaurs to play with. On our way to Ek's room, L says, "where my class, I want my class." what a hoot she is. Ek's room was so quiet, the students who had arrived were coloring. Her teacher gave me a big hug and showed Ek that her supplies were already in her desk; Ek took out her crayons and began to color the page that was on her desk. I was on my way out when I saw Susanne walking Jack in so we joined her. H and Will were happily playing, we stopped them to say hi to Jack and get a picture and they went right back. Darla said when Will walked in he said, "come on H, lets go play."

I picked H up at noon and he was very happy. He looked very big walking out of TCS. He was very happy about his day and all a buzz about learning the chicken dance. Great way to start the year. Ek was done at 3 and she had a great day as well. I think they played outside 3x, reviewed their letters and just got to know 1st grade a bit. We went out for ice cream with Christy and kids, swam at Susanne's and ate at Moe's. I think that was quite enough for one day!

Last day

Tomorrow is the first day of school. So I guess that means today was the last day of summer. It is a bitter sweet thought. I love love love being with my kids. I just love seeing them, laughing with them, hearing the laugh, hearing everything they say, watching them play, watching them grow. The summer has been very busy, no need to discuss because so much of it was talked about. But definitely the treasure was just the time to be together. I hope that now I know them better, can encourage them better, pray for them better and play with them better. I am so grateful for their sweet school and pray they will thrive there, nurtured by God's people, and learning of God and his wisdom.

Last weekend

It was the last weekend before school was starting so we decided to spend the weekend with the kids sweet grandparents. Saturday we went to McRae. We loved the day hanging around, playing, seeing Dave's new home and eating fried chicken. J and I also went on a long bike ride with Sim. It was just a nice day spending time with people we love to spend time with.

Speaking of a nice day. Sunday we went straight from church to Lake Sinclair to spend the afternoon on the lake with Mom and Dad on the boat. The kids could not wrap their head around it. H could nto figure out what lake we were going to and Ek could not figure out what we were going to do once we got there. No house? No Boat house? Not even a dock?! They made it just fine. We cruised for a while and then stopped to swim. Dad jumped in and lead the way. It didn't take the kids long, including little L. They swam and swam quite happily. H rode the tube with his Dad which was great fun for him as well. The first time Dad went over the wake H had a look of shock/ terror, but when he was done he said it was his favorite he loved to go up in the air close to the sky! We finished off with dinner and playing on a lake side swing set.

I think we finished off the busy summer quite well.

3 New

I am so excited to remember and write about a great moment in our little family-- last Friday we went to Wal-mart and got our kids goldfish! So. much. fun. Ok so something like this... goldfish bowl $11, fish food $3, 3 gold fish at $.38 a piece, watching my kids carrying the big bag of water and fish all leaning in to get a closer look... priceless. And so we welcome, Emma, Hairy Dawg and Choo-choo to our home. And thankfully they are still swimming!

Stuck

Ok, I read this a bit ago from a blog called, "ministry so fabulous," and I cannot get it out of my head, I will put it here as I continue to ponder, "

“We ask ourselves, ‘who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God... your playing small does not serve the world.”

That is so interesting! must continue to think on it...

Almost time

Well, it is about time. August has arrived and Monday we go to meet the teachers. We have had a full summer and a lot of fun. I made calendars for our kitchen to keep up with all we had planned. The treasure of summer has been being together. I have enjoyed so much being with my sweet kids and I think they have enjoyed each other so much. They have played so well together, especially Ek and H. They played Little People for hours and had great fun together at the pool. They have both enjoyed L so much and Ek has become very nuturing to her and attentive to her little needs. L and H are so much alike and they love love each other but I can forsee them having power struggles in the future, but H is ususally who she is looking for when she wakes up. Next week at this time our home will be very quiet-- Lord help me use it to pray for them!

Just for kicks

Some statements really make you feel like a mom. I said one several times this week, "We've got to go shopping for back to school shoes." All 3 needed new shoes. Ek and H needed new fast shoes to wear everyday to school and L needed something to replace Ek's glittery peace-sign flip-flops and 4 year old lime green crocs. We were all quite pleased with what we found. Ek is so happy that she has shoes that are the same as her bf Caroline and the shoes are machine washable. lol. H is so happy to have running shoes like Daddy's and says he is now able to go for runs with him. L seems pleased as well, she got fabulous pink shimmery rhinestone flip-flops, pink crocs and pink tennis shoes, but as you can see from the picture, some things never change, she is unable to keep anything on in the car.

A few more

I forgot about these highlight of the HHI trip that I just found on my camera.

The night we ate with Nathan and Kristen Ek was so eager to participate in the Salty Dog Cafe kids activities- face painting and balloon animals. We did. Ek had her face painted first and L could hardly wait for her turn. H stepped up quickly as well.

H's shark (and L's curls)...

So sorry you couldn't see L's watermelon that matched her shirt, but I think the smile and evidence of her pleasure is even cuter.

Ek's pink putl (her spelling, not mine).

Ek really enjoyed Tim and Nino's son Stephen. Both of their boys are really cute sweet boys and we really enjoyed getting to know them a bit. Ek said she wished we could be missionaries with them.

And evidence that my kids sleep peacefully even in hotel rooms...