Beauty and Brains Part 2

Lexi had her school pictures today. She knew what she wanted to wear, and what she wanted to do with her hair. I'm pretty sure she must have been the cutest 4th grader there. Of course I'm a little partial...but judge for yourself, I think you'll agree:)

The great thing about this girl? She is absolutely 100% as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

Sof's First Day at Dance

Poor Sof, for months she has cried everytime we drop Alexa off at gymnastics, and everytime we drop Adrienne at dance. Now mind you, with our schedule, this happens just about everyday! Finally, yesterday was her turn. I'll be honest, I'm a total dance/gymnastics mom! I believe in extracurricular activities. I know that life is not for everyone, but it's right for us. When we were adopting I knew I would put this little girl in dance right away. Just like my other girls. I also knew it might not be her thing. It's possible, gasp, she may want to play a sport. Don't get me wrong, I'd support my kids no matter what they wanted to do, but it's sure a lot easier when their interest matches mine:). I love the whole dance scene, and I'm so excited to see Sof wanting to do it! She's been so excited about her bag and shoes! We went outside to take pictures before we left and she wouldn't set her bag down on the ground! She had to hang it on the garage door handle!

When we got there she was soooo excited! I kept telling her it was her turn. She marched right in the door, got her shoes on, and wanted to go in every door that opened. Finally it was time for her to line up. She jumped off the bench and went with her teacher. I knew that enthusiaam would wear off though when she realized she was going alone. Sure enough when she reappeared on the monitor she was crying and on the teacher's hip. By a few minutes into the class she was standing on her own, but she didn't move. She was super happy when she came out though!

So the the synopsis is...Sof was IN dance class, she did NOT dance. A girl can't show all her moves right away. She's saving her inner rock star for class #2.

Beauty and Brains

She's got the beauty part hands down. I can't take any credit for that. Well, maybe a little, that is an amazing outfit:)

We saw the brains right away the first visit we had with her. She was just over 2, and she was successful doing a puzzle in those extremely stressful moments. We knew she was a smartie.

So let me tell you about Sof and the rocks...

She lined up these six rocks. My sister and I were sitting on the porch steps. She brought over two and set them next to my sister. Then she went back and brought another two over and set them next to me. When she went back for the last two I was certain she would put them inbetween us(she's OCD like that!). She actually set them in my pile. My sister and I giggled a bit, like there goes that theory, she's not quite as particular as we thought. Suddenly she looked back and saw 4 on one side and 2 on the other. Without missing a beat she grabbed one and moved it to the other pile to make 3 and 3. As if it was no big deal, just oh, let me even those out...

It was genius. It's official, beauty and brains, all my girls have 'em.

Ramblings of a Working Mom

We made it through the first week fairly unscathed. It was busy, and a bit of a blur, but it's over nonetheless. Everyone is happy with their teachers, even daughter #1. Daughter #2 LOVES her teacher and is eager to do her homework each night. Daughter #3 no longer cries in the parking lot of daycare, but rather waits till we get to the room. That's progress people!

We welcomed the weekend with open arms. Friday was the Welcome Back Picnic at my school, so all 3 girlies and I headed to that. Lexi was too too tired from her week and crabby as all get out! Sof loves to push her over the edge, and that makes for unhappy mommy surrounded by people who trust me with their children everyday. Dilemma...do you leave them to think, "She can't even control her own kids, how does she teach a whole class?" or do the, "kneel down and whisper threats of harsh discipline sweet nothings in their ears"? As we were ready to leave Mark texted me and asked if I wanted to meet some friends for dinner. Oh yeah baby! Kids got Wendy's for dinner and we were outta there! Enjoyed some much needed grown up conversation:)

Saturday brought a fresh attitude for everyone. I had an hour date with Sof at Starbucks in the morning. Best hour of my week. I brought a notebook and crayons and magazine I wanted to flip through. As she started coloring I noticed how her pencil grip had changed. She is holding the crayon correctly! Kindergarten teachers get excited over this. She was also drawing so slowly and deliberately. The magazine got set aside and we spent the time making circles with eyes. Love seeing her blossom into the preschooler she should be.

Saturday afternoon I got to spend some alone time with Lexi doing some school shopping. Loved seeing how she has become such a big girl. She knew what she wanted and made her choices carefully. of course in the car on the way home she thanked me several time for her shopping day. So Lexi, always grateful and easy to please.

The evening was spent at Em's hanging out with her and the girls and Anne and Rick. The guys watched football and the ladies chatted. Welcome school year traditions...

Today I remembered why it's good to do all the laundry and grocery shopping on Sunday. If you don't, it makes for a disorganized week! I started tackling the piles at 7:30am, and folded the last bit around 10:30. Then I changed into my pajamas and noted there was already a pile of dirties again. It's the neverending job. I did get out with Adrienne this afternoon for her school shopping. Her comments consisted of things like, "that's so ugly mom", "wearing that is like social suicide", and my favorite, "do we have to stop at the grocery store, can't you just drop me off first?". Of course sweetheart, I'd love to drop you off so you don't have to wait for an extra 20 min. to get home. Besides, I have lots of extra time since I just spent the whole afternoon revolving around YOU!!!

Sof was rockin' this look tonight...

At bedtime Lexi realized she left her blanky at her friend's house. Too late to get it. Devastation and crying. Adrienne offered to let her use one of hers. Awwwww, she does have heart:)

And now that brings me to my betime because it's after 11 and I have to be up at 5am to go to the gym. And so it starts all over...

First Day of School

Her: I'm NOT taking a picture! My make up looks awful!
Me: Fine, head off to school, I'll meet you there to take it.
Her: Cheese.

Welcome to 7th grade.

Lexi was super excited. Sof didn't want to be left out.

Despite the look of her legs, I swear we feed that 4th grader!

Then I headed off to my school where I greeted children eager to show me what they can do...

and lots of new school shoes...

Too sweet:)

Signs Summer is Ending

They were all around us this weekend. Sunflowers have bloomed,

the tube is destroyed,

babies are getting bigger,

dance party was weak(apparently they're out of moves, so it was more like a pillow fight and an ending pose),

the water is warmer than the air,

the speedboat is out of the water,

and this little girl is getting too brave(she can also crawl out of her pack and play!).

For every ending there is a beginning. The farm stand down the street from our cottage had the beginnings of their pumpkins out. That made me excited for cider mills, jeans, and fall leaves. Tonight my kids are clean, their hair was blown dry, and even their nails got clipped and painted. That hasn't happened in 3 months:). Everyone has new clothes layed out for the big day tomorrow. In the morning I will go to my classroom where all the crayons, pencils, glue sticks, and markers are new. Who doesn't love new school supplies? There will be a fresh batch of children and parents coming through my door, full of expectations for the year. I will take their children under my wing and promise to love and protect them day in and day out. Some will cry(parents not chidren!), and I will tear up too because I know what a big day it is when your child goes to Kindergarten. Endings can sad, but beginnings are full of excitement, promise and potential. Here's to fresh starts:)

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

Our last lake weekend of the summer started off hot! No complaint here though, that's what you want for a lake day. We knew the weather was going to cool down though, so we really took advantage of every minute that day. The kids' kneeboarded, we spent time at our friend's beach, everyone swam, and we didn't come up to the house until 5:00. That's the way it should be on a lake day...

Sof is getting so brave in the water!

Showers are way more fun outside with your cousins!

Farewell sweet summer lake days of 2011!