a few weeks behind!

This blog update is a few weeks late just due to life.  We have been working, doing school, enjoying weekends where we relax and have time at home.  The photos may capture some.

The girls updates:
Gracie:  She has been excelling in school and independent.  She requires little oversight.  She has been such a sweet friend and eagerly builds relationships.   We continue to encourage (and even offer new shoes) for her to try new activities which she declines.    We have been working to figure out what has triggered some serious breathing/ cough issues.   She has had 3 breathing treatments and multiple urgent care/ doctor visits since September.   I think we have it related to allergies.

Maggie:  She has worked very hard in school with a focus on reading, sight words and math.   She has done so well we have started her back into gymnastics which she was doing back flips over!   She is spunky and thrives in social settings.  She had a date night with her Daddy for dinner and the Lego Movie.  She was so excited.

Small group kids from 7 years ago... some were toddlers, some were babies and some were just prayers! 

Working on sight word spelling 

Uno Spin before school some mornings 

Ellie turned 4!!   When did that happen?   Happy Birthday sweet girl!  We love you! 

Maggie and her friend Lana Kate 

Bella was worn out.  She misses her backyard.  Now that the pool is done she is spending more time out there. 

a rough day 

partenting is hard, but moments like this remind us how much its worth it. 

February and we had some night nights in the pool! 

Fire night are the best!   The girls requested hotdogs and marshmallows!  

A fun weekend and sick day start to the week

The girls are working hard in school.  Gracie is self sufficient which is a good feeling as a parent.   And a blessing when we have to spend extra time with Maggie.  Maggie has been working hard at school with lots of support there and lots of support at home.  Mommy tackles reading, sight words and spelling.    Daddy is the Math teacher (DMC:  Daddy Math Camp as we call it).   We are so proud of both the girls.  

We registered for the next school year.   It was hard to believe we will have a  middle schooler!     

We have enjoyed Bella and given her lots of grace this week too.  She is so ready, even more so than we are, to have the backyard completed.  

I could not resist this picture.   This was my first real job out of college and where my career all started.   16 years later I still have the sweatshirt although I don't wear it out much. 

Shortly after Capital Bank in Toledo was acquired by 5/3 Bank! 

We had a great weekend getting a few things done and also a yummy lunch at Gardeners Market in Cleveland.  We love their Blackberry Lemonade and anything else we get there too.   

Gracie has started to wear her hair down and let the wave shows.   I love it! 

Maggie in the middle of the story!   Love her expressions.  

As we were eating lunch Maggie said "I can't wait to be 18".   Hmm.. "Maggie, what makes 18 seem so great to you?" was Mommy's question.   "so I don't have any consequences" was the 7 year old logic.   What a great teachable moment.     I wish I always embraced these.  This year I am working to embrace more.   We talked through that when you are 18 consequences are natural based on the decisions.   We as parents given you consequences for decisions today to provide the moment to teach you how to make good choices when the stakes are even higher!  While I don't think she fully understood, she smiled with a knowing look  of "okay, Mom!".  

Sunday was a rough day with sick girls.   But forced us to rest together and watch the Super Bowl.  We just wish the Falcon's would have won. 

This girl had a terrible cough (again!).    She was boarder line bronchitis.  A new inhaler and steroids  should help.   She was on the mend to go to school.

This one threw up at church.   I rushed her home to snuggle and rest.   So many of the sweet dream team members at church loved on her and never once complained about having to clean up after a sick little girl.   We are so blessed by such a great team we serve with and worship with. 

a lazy Monday to rest while Mommy works 

a little play time! 

Don't let her fool you.... "can you fluff my pillow?" was a statement I heard.  She was doing just fine.