Bad Bad Day!

So this week (Sunday and Monday really) was one of those that I had to remind myself we all have bad days.  

Sunday Pics.   The bench is an old church pew that my grandparents had as we were growing up, they gave it to us and my parents refinished it.  We love it!  I need to find some pillows/ accent cushion but it looks great and is such a special piece.  

Sunday pic with lots of giggles! 

Yay for family near by.  We got to meet my brother, SIL and Ellie for lunch after church.  We adore these girls together and the chance to visit with them.

Maggie snuggled on Sunday afternoon before nap.  I love that she calls her sleeping cap (Bonnik).   

Sunday afternoon Gracie said "How bout we make something?".  Sounded fun, but it had to be easy and not consume the entire day.   We decided on no bake cookies.  Mom always made those growing up and I don't think I have ever made them!  They were a big hit.  

Maggie has been requiring more discipline attention the past week.  I just don’t know what is driving her poor behavior and lack of listening.  Monday at camp when we picked them up the conversation went something like this: 

Gracie “Maggie tell Mommy and Daddy how your day was”

Maggie: ---silence 

Gracie: “Tell them what happened at lunch”

Maggie: ---long silence and no eye contact followed by “I fell on my knee”

Gracie:  “that was not it”

Mommy and Daddy “Gracie, did something happen Maggie needs to share?”

Gracie:  “yes” with some head nods as we ask questions to Maggie

Mommy and Daddy “did you get hurt? (Gracie nod no)  “Did you trip a friend?” (Gracie nod no)  “ddi you hit your friend?” (Gracie nod no)  final question because I was out of other ideas and really expected the same response “Did you bite a friend?” (Gracie nod yes).  What?  really?  

We than began to encourage Maggie to share what had happened because we talk about our days (the good and the bad) and to tell us herself.  We tried everything...losing iPad, timeout at home, calling Ms. Angela, etc.  She did not budge on her response.  She was not going to tell.  

When we got home we got the info from Gracie (aside from Maggie as we were really encouraging her to tell us).   I sent a friend who’s daughter it was to confirm what Gracie said.    Then prayed that Maggie would eventually see that being open and upfront even when we are wrong is a much better approach.    Sure enough when we were going to read before dinner she told me she bit “big Maggie”.   So, she did loose her iPad for a day for not telling us initially, then received 2 sprays of vinegar for biting and lying about it when asked.   She was not a happy little girl, but once it was all over her total disposition changed and she was sweet and playful.   We celebrated her sharing and how much better she would have felt if she just would have told us to begin with.    

As for the rest of the week...it was busy but good!  I was home  (yay for no work travel) all week and enjoyed many nights of snuggles.  We have continued to do Daddy Math Camp and I get to do reading with Gracie.  I guess it comes full circle.   Reading was my greatest challenge due to my eye sight growing up and now I get the opportunity to demonstrate extreme patience as we work with Gracie.  She is a good reader, just needs to focus and take it more seriously.  We will celebrate the milestones and each chapter read!  

The weekend is low key here!   Lots of snuggles and chores as we get ready for a few last weeks of summer and prepping for school to start.   Gracie got her haircut and a cute new style.   Maggie is eager to get hers done like Gracie, but for now a trim with all those curls is about all we can do!  We enjoyed Saturday naps (actually asked for by the girls) and time at the pool before we ended our night.   

Before hair cut….

Before hair cut….

Before hair cut….

After hair cut!  We love it and she does too. 

After hair cut.    

After hair cut…

Some play time at the house in the afternoon after naps.   What a great great day! 

I love the girls are both old enough to play games together without much help.    Its sweet to watch them interact and be competitive.  

Maggie going off the slide.   She is quite a fish! We are going to move her to different swim lessons this fall in preparation for swim team next summer (as long as she can get her stamina up, she needs to swim 25 meters) 

 

Such big smiles in the water! 

My three loves!  What a great way to spend a Saturday! 

Adjustments and Blessings!

While the summer has been far more busy than we expected, and would not trade any of the moments, its been nice to have swim team wrapped up and more quite weeks.    Gracie has switched her focus to “Daddy Math Camp” (evenings working on timed math to ensure we start  3rd grade strong), reading (Boxcar Children which was a favorite of mine), and enjoying some quite time to just be!   Maggie has enjoyed summer camp and getting ready for “big school”. 

Sisters!  

Love this girl.  Is she really 8? 

We ask Maggie almost every day "did you grow up at camp?"   She seems to really be hitting her stride.  It will be a fun year at PreK!

This week was my first trip to Memphis.  Despite a terrible travel / flight experience getting there, it was a great trip.  I am praying I can add value and begin to change perception.    I am looking forward to TWO whole weeks home!   There is no place like home, but I always have to brag on Jimmy for the fabulous job he does while I am away tending to the girls needs, giving them extra loves and often making sure the house chores are done before I get home to avoid spending our weekend that way.  I am forever blessed by our partnership in all things.    I love you always!  

Gracie does her own hair most days (or wants me to flat iron it).  But this week agreed for me to do pig tails.  They were so cute! 

Although she took them out before we even got to camp!  

Today we did some of the fun back to school shopping (at least I always enjoy it) for tennis shoes and school supplies.   The girls enjoyed it too (Jimmy may not have enjoyed it but did participate willingly).    We enjoyed a nice dinner with two other day care/ Pre K families.  These three have been together since the infant room and no double will make a splash at CCS in PreK!   Watch out here they come! 

Sydney (Tyler's sis), Maggie, Tyler, and Addison!   

Taken at the end of the "school year" in May.  Tyler, Eric, Addison and Maggie!    

Full Week!

This week we were back from Ohio and into routine.  Gracie had a swim meet in Cleveland.  Aunt Katelyn and Ellie jointed us in the heat to cheer Gracie on.   Ellie was most upset she could not play in the pool.   

Maggie and Ellie enjoying a snack at the swim meet.

We received our school class roster for 3rd Grade and PreK.  Gracie and Kenize are both disappointed they are in different classes for the first time (they are best friends who have been together since Kindergarten).  Kenzie said last year at one point, “we are like the heart, you can separate the heart”.   We pray they continue to be dearest friends while making new friends too!  Maggie will be with Tyler and Addison since there is only going to be one PreK.   We are gearing up for a fun year with lots of memories and adjustment along the way!   

The girls enjoyed time with their friends this weekend.  Addison spent the night Friday and Gracie celebrated Kenzie’s birthday with her Saturday.   We enjoyed a date night together visiting with the Bowen’s.   I am so thankful for the friends we have, some at different stages in parenting than we are.   Those that have older kids serve as great mentors to us as we learn how to parent in this age of Facebook and other challenges as well as guiding and directing two daughters!   

Gracie Bug…I thinks he thinks she is a teenager!  Lord help us! 

Maggie and Addison playing outside. 

Maggie and Addison playing Pattern Play 

This little one was worn out after a sleep over (to bed at 10pm and up at 6am).

Ohio 4th of July!

**Warning....photo overload! 

Sunday Sister Pic 

Mommy and the girls! 

Monday was a swim meet…this is how Maggie rolls! 

The girls had the opportunity for Papa to come up for two days to play before we headed to Ohio for the 4th of July weekend.   Papa goes back to work for a few years before he retires “officially”!  We have loved the flexibility and the moments we have had  but are also excited for him to have something to fill his days until Grammy retires too!  The made lots of memories in the days playing hard inside and out, picnic lunches, slushie runs, and a full day at the pool.   Thanks Papa for being willing to help and make these girls smile!  

Papa and his girls! 

Lunch at the pool! 

Wednesday we headed to Ohio for a full long weekend.  I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time.   Its been just under a year since we were home last and there was so much to do and so many people to see.   We enjoyed a full day with Gjysh and KK celebrating all our birthdays.   We went to a fun pizza place downtown next to the minor league baseball stadium. Not only was it yummy, but the girls got to make their own pizza!  

Maggie does not sleep in the car, so she finds all kinds of ways to entertain herself and us! 

When Gjysh got home we got a tour of the yard!  I love it!   I want to do pictures in the yard  again one summer.  We did them when Maggie was 9 months old and need to do it again!  

Gjysh does some hybridizing of hosts.  The girls each have one named after them!  This is Maggie with hers. 

Gracie with her hosta! 

The girls loved walking through the yard and seeing all that my Dad had done.  It is so stunning! 

Sweet girls! 

My parents with the girls. 

An attempt at a family pic. 

Gracie making her pizza 

Maggi was working hard on her pizza too! 

Love my girls and their Daddy! 

Gjysh snuggles.  (yes it was cold.  We had to go buy jackets for the girls before fireworks) 

Daddy's girl all the way! 

Silly! 

My parents are awesome! 

Maggie sat still for a little bit with me before the fireworks.  

My family!  I love being home and love the 4th of July festivities that we get to participate in.   We are a blessed nation.  

Gracie was in awe of the fireworks.  Each one was better than the last.  

Maggie loved them, but was so tired after a full day about half way through she fell sound asleep.   

We had a full day with extended family visiting my Grandpa and Grandma Sutton (and my grandma’s side of the family at the Krohn family reunion they do annually) and my Grandma Whitmer and Aunt Kay (my Dad’s side of the family) at the lake.   At the lake I also had a chance to see a few of my aunts and their families and my friend Mindy and her family.   Mindy lives in Charlotte NC but we were in high school youth group together.   Its always fun to catch up.  She has two girls so the girls enjoyed playing at the park together while we caught up on the past few years (outside of the Christmas card updates of course).  

My grandparents were farmers and the farm land they use to harvest is behind their house.   As long as I can remember has always been a corn crop.   I took the girls out to see it.  Its not even full grown yet. 

Sure brings back memories of me picking corn and playing in the field.  

Maggie would just go snuggle up to my grandpa.   It was so sweet!  I know it made his day.  I am blessed to have grandparents that are still living and can see my girls.   I don't take that for granted and wish we got to see them more often.  They will leave quite a legacy.  

Maggie with my grandmother who she is named after.  

Swinging at the park during the family reunion.   Gracie kept asking me "who are these people?"

Mom and Maggie on the dock checking it all out.  

The girls were brave and wanted to get into the water.  My parents were good sports and volunteered to participate!  That is what grandparents are for right? 

We enjoyed watching the girls make memories at the lake like I did.  We spent every summer up there and I loved every minute of them on the dock, in the water, in the cottage, at the park, etc.  

Gracie showing off her swim dive and strokes. 

Maggie preferred to just snuggle KK.  

Snacks and visiting on the dock.   

Priceless! 

Sisters at the lake! 

Priceless! 

Messy….roasted marshmallows! 

Enjoying every bit of it! 

KK and her girls 

Enjoying sitting by the fire (yes, it was cold!) 

My Aunt Kay's friend has a new puppy at the lake.  The girls would have taken Molly home if they would have let them! 

Saturday was our no travel chill at home day before we had to drive back to Tennessee.   I met up with one of my dearest friends, Leah, for breakfast.  It was wonderful to talk, share, laugh and encourage each other without our little ones begging for our attention.      Friendships are such a blessing and after all the years a weekend home to see several was heartwarming.   There were several I did not get to see and miss terribly, but hope to beg them to visit Tennessee!  (you know who you are.... ha) 

Expending some energy outside!   What a crew!  Just missing Ellie!  

Classic Maggie look! 

Maggie getting to know her newest cousin. 

We headed to the park and ice cream.  

This girl cracks me up.  She has such a sense of adventure.  

Gracie is my mini me.  

Gracie and Caleb 

Gracie waited patiently to hold Benjamin 

We wanted to do sparklers, but not wait until it was late.  So we did it early with the kids.  Maggie had never done them before.   (excuse the red lips/ face.  She was drinking my Mom's ICE drink)

Gracie was so funny trying to do as many as she could.  

Pile on Gjysh! 

We at least got to FaceTime with Ellie and Uncle Gabe! 

This little man, Levi, was a tired one and snuggled right up.  

Auntie Rachael got some Benjamin time too!  

My Sister and her family surprised us all and came in town Saturday at lunch for the rest of the day.   It was wonderful to visit, listen to the kids enjoy special cousin time and to meet our newest nephew (#6) Benjamin who is just a few months old.     

Girls, while we pray you grow up and live close (Gracie, you said you were going to live next door so we are going to hold you to that!) that is always something about living away and coming home to such wonderful memories!  There is no place like home even when you have your own family and are firmly planted where you know God has called you to be.   The home you grew up in and visiting your parents we pray is always special to you as it is to me!