Abigail is 11!!

Abigail has had several days of celebrating her 11th birthday, lucky girl. First, she got a new bike about a week ago. It was going to be impossible to hide it and surprise her with it, so we gave it to her when we bought it. She's been riding my bike for the last year or so - and we are both happy to put an end to that arrangement. :)

Then she got to throw herself a "bunny" birthday party with her friends. They took Leia outside for a bit, raced her in the basement, jumped like bunnies on the trampoline,

and did the "Bunny Hop" dance (among many other silly and crazy things that only 5th grade girls can come up with).

And then we got to go up to my mom's house to celebrate with family.

So I think she had a pretty great birthday. (And I have eaten so much cake over the last few months, I'm just about sick of it.) hahaha.

It's been great, though. I love celebrating birthdays. Especially of these wonderful kids of mine. They are all so unique and it's an adventure watching them grow up and seeing them develop into their own persons. Love it.

:)

um, yeah

Yes, I know blogging about the weather may not be that interesting to most of you. But seriously?!?

Snow on Easter? That was obnoxious.

Snow at the end of April? Kinda crazy.

Snow on May 24th??? You have got. to be. kidding me.

I couldn't get up my driveway after driving the kids to school because of the slippery slush. I really hate that.

And we haven't had a full week of nice weather where the kids are happy to be riding bikes to school everyday. And . . . since this is the last week, we won't.

Anyway - ok, I'm done complaining about the weather. For now. :)

lovin' the limelight

Abigail and her best friend have been making up a dance together at recess for the last couple months or so. They convinced their teacher to let them perform it for their class!! I just laugh because I can't even imagine being brave enough to perform in front of my 5th grade class, in a leotard no less.

But Abigail - she is fearless. So is her friend, apparently. :)

They made their skirts during recess today, too.

So cute. They did a great job and received a positive response from their class. I was very impressed in many ways.

Her friend is moving this summer. Well, she has already moved - but will be officially gone from school and everything with the end of the school year, so I am happy for anything that solidifies their bond and makes fun memories for them together. Abigail is going to be very sad next year and might be a little lost for awhile without her BFF. But I am also sure it will be a time of great growth for her.

Adolescence is such a difficult and tricky time. Holy Moly!!

quote of the day

"Tell me a story . . .

what kind of story, child?

A story with a happy ending.

There's no such thing in all the world.

As a happy ending?

As an ending."

- Jeanette Winterson

For some reason, this has been running through my head this morning.

I love the thought that our stories never end. So we don't have to worry so much about that happy ending afterall.

Continual new beginnings.

Continual chances.

Continual hope.

(photo from flickr)

how is this possible?

Samuel's year of Kindergarten is coming to an end. They had their kindergarten program today.

They sang some cute songs and I was happy to see his mouth moving. :) We hardly ever hear him singing to songs - so I am glad to see that at least he knows the words, even if he may or may not actually be singing them, and he would never sing the songs for us.

This song was particularly cute - to the tune of "New York, New York" they sang "if I can make it there, I'll make it any-where, 1st grade, 1st grade!"

And here he is with his teacher. He refused to look at me and smile. Oh well.

Anyway - I am filled with a lot of guilt as I contemplate the end of this school year for him. I could have, should have, worked much harder with him and done a lot more with him as far as homework, chores, behavior etc. I know I shouldn't pile guilt on myself. I know I did the best I could with whatever time, energy and patience I had (severely lacking somehow in those last 2 elements). But anyway - it's hard not to be hard on myself.

I love this little boy, though. And I am so proud of all he's accomplished this year. Especially that he is beginning to read!

He's also been running out to get onto the bus by himself, which is great. He still screams at me all morning that he doesn't want to go to school - but once the bus arrives, he's happy to go. Silly kid.

I also am of the opinion that "they" should just decide on the last day of school and then surprise us by cancelling the last week. Wouldn't that be wonderful?! These last 2 weeks just feel so pointless. Especially doing homework. I'm just done with making sure it's done. I know I'm setting a bad example - but I really just don't care. End-of-school-itis is in full swing!! Let's skip school and go to Kings Dominion* instead! (little nudge-nudge, wink-wink to my high school friends) :)

Who's with me?!?

*Kings Dominion is the closest amusement park where I grew up
- here's a link because links are fun :)

happy tuesday

I don't have much to write, actually.

I'm pretty distracted.

Trying to deal with some things.

It rained today and it was wonderful. I really love rain.

And I took Duran Duran off my ipod to make room for some Crosby Stills Nash and Young. (hahaha.)

And finally, today Samuel threw an open bottle of syrup across the carpeted family room. Imagine that.

And a couple weeks ago he cut Elisabeth's hair. Snipped off a good chunk of her bangs that we were growing out. And that nice little piece sticking up on the back of her head. Lovely.

Just wanted to mention that.

8 more days left of school and counting . . .

so - more later:)

Babies

I saw this movie last night and really loved it. It was a kind of grand finale event for our March of Dimes Walk for Babies team. I guess those that raised enough money were awarded free tickets. I paid for mine. It was worth it. :)

I'd be interested to know how someone likes it who hasn't actually had babies yet because a lot of it was funny to me as a mom just because it was all so very familiar. I laughed - a lot. It's amazing how alike babies worldwide are - despite different parenting practices, culture, and everything. It reminds me again and again that there are very very few absolutes in parenting. Almost no "right" ways to do things. Just different ways. And somehow all these babies grow up healthy and happy and most of them go on to decide to have babies of their own someday. Amazing.

It was also interesting in the fact that we are 99.99% sure we're done having babies (wow - did I just announce that? crazy). I had heard some other moms somewhere say that this movie made them feel baby hungry. Not me. These babies are achingly adorable. I loved remembering my babies in all these wonderful, tender, miraculous stages. Oh but I am still so happy not to be waking up all night to nurse, or dealing with diaper blow-outs, or spit-up, or screaming fits. They are so worth it. Of course they are. But . . . I am done with all of that, and feeling pretty good about it. :)

Oh and just for those that may want to be forewarned: this movie contains a lot of what the movie sites call "maternal nudity." Lots and lots of bare breastfeeding. And African women. You know. So maybe not first-date material. And maybe not for anyone bothered by such things.

But if you're able to overlook that, I'd highly recommend it. It may be the most entertaining documentary I have ever seen. Yay for babies. :)