Back to School

After much anticipation, school has begun again!

 Gwen has grown up so much this summer (both emotionally and physically--- her legs have really sprouted and required lots of sewing to have a decent wardrobe! But THAT is a post for later this week) and is going into 2nd grade this year.

 But she is SOOOOO excited to be going back to school! At the teacher meet and greet yesterday we found out that several of her good friends from last year are in her class again this year, and she could not be happier about it! She was also really eager to turn in her sheet of summer reading "assignments" that got sent home at the end of last school year--- she completed 40 and is proud! Her biggest 'concern' for the first day was that I remember to make her an extra special lunch. She kept reminding me over and over the past couple days. I included heart cucumbers and a butterfly shaped sandwich along with a cute note, so hopefully that meets her expectations! lol

 Caroline is thrilled to be starting Kindergarten this year! Last spring we were going back and forth about her emotional/social readiness, but I'm glad we finally decided to send her to Kindergarten. She is going to do so well and grow so much this year!

 She is a spunky gal, but she has a great teacher and I just know she is going to thrive! I really felt the Spirit so strongly last night during her Father's Blessing that this year is going to be significant for her. She is growing up so quickly. She has such a passionate personality that she has definitely provided me with lots of growth opportunities as a parent. This week I've been thinking about how much she has taught me and how much I yearn for her to succeed. Go get em, Caroline!

 So excited!

 I made us mommy-daughter bracelets for the first day of school. Mine has matching beads from each of theirs. So they wear theirs on their kissing hand (a morning tradition of reading the book) left wrist (won't impede writing) and think of me. I wear mine and think of them. This is our first year to do this but I think it will be a new tradition. The girls loved it and I thought they were so cute snuggling their hands/wrists up to their faces!

I got emotional praying for them this morning (especially parting with a Kindergartner), but drop off went so quickly there wasn't time for tears. I did see Caroline got a little emotional as I was leaving, but she apparently recovered quickly and had a wonderful day!

 Caroline loved riding the bus home!

and she ACTUALLY TOLD ME lots of stories about her first day! Imagine that! I look forward to many more great answers to "how was school today?" that go beyond the standard answer of "good!"

Hooray for a new year! I can't tell ya how proud I am of both my little girlies!

Fishy Fishy Turtle!

Family fishing adventure!

Prairie Oaks Metro Park was not so jumpin the morning of our fishing venture weeks ago. At least it wasn't scorching hot (like it is now!). and the chiggers weren't out in full force (like they were last year!). I'll take both those things for a win. :)

Emmett cried and ate grapes. Don't you love the stickers all over his shirt? He insisted.

Caroline played with our bait worms. "See! He loves me mom!" 

She thought she'd share the love by letting my arm feel how slimy he was.Thanks for that.  

Gwen was the only one of the kids really interested in actually fishing. 

She got skunked... almost! The only thing we caught all day was a very determined turtle! He kept coming closer to the line, so we'd have Gwen reel it in and cast in a different spot. He would find it again. And again. Finally he got a mouthful... Not the reward he was hoping for, I'm sure!

Warms my heart: Gwen is finding perfect little tiny pebbles for Emmett to throw in.

 He could "THROW IT!" all morning long...

Emmett's distress when it is time to go! (or actually, when we ask for a smiling photo)

Bonus: no one threw up any chocolate milkshakes, so that means we had a successful trip!!!

Been Livin it Up!!!

"Where have you BEEN all summer?" you ask... my answer is, "LIVING!"

I can't believe we've only got a week of summer left. This time has truly sped by! Perhaps it is because we have seen so much growth, learning, completed projects, and a healthy dose of fun?

Emmett went from scooting in an army crawl...to full on crawl...to pulling himself up and toddling his first steps with a walker! He's in the "troublemaker" phase of life and we LOVE it!

Caroline went from crazy athletic bundle of energy to a crazy athletic bundle of energy who is pretty much ready for preschool (she has been working on her letter recognition and early reading) and she is looking so grown up in her FIRST haircut ever!

Gwen went from being scared to put her face in the water to swimming like a fish (actually, she insists she swims like a mermaid) and trying to see how long she can stay underwater. She also went from a toddler bike (her gangly legs were WAY to long for it) to getting a big 20 inch bike that she can balance on up and down hills without training wheels! (We haven't put the pedals on yet, so can't officially say she rides a bike... yet). She's really excited to start 1st grade and show off her reading and math skills that she's been honing with daddy all summer! 

Both girls also learned a few sewing skills this summer. From small hand-stitched pillows to mini quilts...but the crowning achievement was definitely Gwen's completed cute little bag! Yes, she sewed that herself! (I helped with the cutting, ironing, and turning it right side out. whew getting the whole bag through that tube was a chore, I tell ya!)

As a family, we took a trip to Virginia for a Hart family reunion---  we experienced the Atlantic Ocean for the first time!

  So here's to a great summer, as it begins its departure. The Ohio Allans have definitely enjoyed it! 

Inniswood Metro Garden--- Splendid in Spring!

  Last year we visited Inniswood Metro Garden in mid-May, just after the bulbs were gone and the tree buds were changing to tender young leaves. It was lovely, but I saw the skeleton stems of tulips that had already spent their blooms and blossom carpets wilting on the ground, and I longed to see the gardens in all their spring splendor. Catching the tulips and trees in peak bloom has been on my bucket list since then!

 We met up with some med-school friends for lunch and frolicking through the gardens. Emmett slurped down his 2nd 'pouch' puree like a pro, then army crawled right over to 6-month-old J to swat at his head. :) Linz and I chatted while our children ran all over the place, just thrilled to be outside. I don't know that very much lunch was consumed, though Caroline did eat at least a bowl full of grape tomatoes that Linz brought!

  aren't those trees gorgeous? That tiny dot up there is Caroline, eager to get going. 

 some kind of Trillium, don't remember the exact variety. 

 We were watching a frog when this snake left the reeds and slithered out into the water!

 The girls were fascinated by the snake and quite concerned for the safety of the frog. The snake did not seem to be aware of his amphibious neighbor, however, so no graphic trauma ensued. 

 So many varieties of tulips. Aren't these pale yellow ones so cheerful?

  Emmett was in pretty good spirits, especially after we stopped for a couple of milk breaks. 

 He likes to peek back up and flirt with me while I push the stroller.

The kids loved this cute little gazebo house. It reminds me of a birdhouse. 

  

  The stone retaining walls were perfect balance beams. 

 Caroline was REALLY excited about the "rainbow flowers!!!" and wanted to get her photo taken with them. 

   Gwen practices ballet moves every time I try to take her picture now. If I don't want ballet poses, I have to take sneaky pics. 

  This was one of 2 highlights for the kids: a water activity with locks and wheels. Very cool! Everyone got wet, there were several bouts of tears and splashing, and more than one apology needed, but it was a blast and the kids played here for almost an hour. 

  Gorgeous tulips here too. 

  and a sweet little mini 'house'

 clearly, I am not a selfie proficienada (yeah, I just made up that word), but I adore Linzi and am so glad we got together to strengthen our beautiful friendship in such a beautiful place. And I love this picture because it is of US, even if it isn't super flattering. What matters to me is the relationship and the memories and I love this gal!

 Gwen hopping over a little stone bridge. 

 cool little stream-waterfall thing

and an imperfect pic of my three wonderful children (hey, even though I only got 1 of Caroline's lovely eyes, at least no one is blurry! I'll take that miracle!) Emmett is even smiling despite the fact that he was refusing to nap and was a grumpy pants by the time we took this photo on our way home. But more on Emmett and photography in another post. 

When I am outdoors among all of God's creations, I am calm. It helps to put things in perspective, reminds me to keep cultivating the sweet tender 'plants' in my family, and encourages me to take every opportunity to appreciate the moments blooming RIGHT NOW. Each season quickly fades into another, each blossom is so fragile. And I'm grateful for my blossoms. I am blessed. 

*contended sigh*

Isn't spring wonderful?