Little swimmer girl

The big girls both took Mommy/Daddy and Me swim lessons at the Y when they were babies, but we didn't do anything more formal until last summer when we enrolled them in weekly lessons through the summer. The girls did great and advanced quickly and loved the lessons and coaches. We took a break in the fall and winter, but picked classed back up again in February so they'd be ready for the summer pool season. Charlotte graduated from the Goldfish level last weekend and is now a Jellyfish with Anna! Anna only has a few more skills to master before she graduates to the next level! Swimming is something I've always loved doing and the pool is one our favorite summer activities, so I'm thrilled both girls share the same love of water and sun!

Oh, the places you'll go: Anna's end of year Kindergarten ceremony

Although Anna's last day of kindergarten is next Friday, her class hosted a sweet ceremony for parents today. And by sweet, I mean that I about lost it emotionally when she walked into the cafeteria with her cap on; I had totally NOT prepared for the tug at my heartstrings. 

For all of us, this has been a year of growth, change, and the unexpected. From having a baby two days after her first day of Kindergarten, to learning of my kidney issue and CLL relapse, to how much she's grown going to school just half a day (I mean, she's reading, that's crazy!) ... The best way to describe my feelings are "sad happy" because I'm so proud of her, what she's accomplished, and look forward to what will come, but also sad that this chapter is closing. How lucky, though, am I have these feelings and be in the thick of this fun, exciting, crazy, and trying season of life. 

Oh, Anna, the places we KNOW you'll go! 

They sang the sweetest song, check out the video below : ) 

Upon receiving their Kindergarten diploma, each child told us what they want to be when they grow up, Anna wants to be a doctor!

I'm so proud of this girl!

Selfie with Mom before she's too cool for them : ) 

No cavities!

Both girls had dentist appointments over the last month and this proud Mama is happy to report that there were no cavities, they received rave reviews from the hygienists and dentist, AND Miss Anna has a couple of loose teeth and her six year molars (tiny tear from Mama on this news). Miss Madeline was the perfect watchful assistant : ) 

Oh the places you'll go (and it all starts with Kindergarten)

"You're off to great places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting, 

So ... get on your way!"

She was SO excited for her first day of Kindergarten and got on the bus with no hesitation whatsoever! I still can't believe we have a Kindergartener! 

Her sign reads: 
Anna's first day of Kindergarten
I am 5 years old
My teacher is Miss Eldred
When I grow up I want to be: an animal doctor and police officer

Charlotte had to be in the middle of everything and was CONVINCED she was also starting kindergarten and would be riding the bus with Anna. She did somewhat OK, but told us many times "I don't want to ride in a car, I want a bus ride! ... I want a back pack too, a big one like Anna ... I'm a big girl going to kindergarten!" 

She had a great day! I met her at the daycare / preschool she'll go to most days for an afternoon Kindergarten enrichment program and she was all smiles as she got off the bus. She said she found her room with a little assistance, was assigned a cubby, went to the bathroom with her class (I made her practice going in the stall and locking and unlocking the door on her preview day), did some activities, enjoyed recess, and made a new friend, Phoebe. She rode the bus back to her other school with three other kids, including a new student, Lily, who she hugged before leaving. We had a great afternoon that included lunch, picking up cupcakes, and a movie at home.

While we were waiting for our table at lunch I was telling Anna how proud I am of her and how she's so brave and smart and getting so big and that sometimes I get sad because I wish she was still little. She leaned in and gave me a big hug and said "but you can be happy too because of all of that." And I am little big girl, I am! Oh the places you'll go!

Five going on (what feels like) fifteen

Anna starts kindergarten this week and I'm partially in denial and partially just praying I'm not in labor so that I can see her off on her first day. I picked her up early last Friday and we had a special Mommy / Anna afternoon that consisted of lunch at her fave (Frisch's), a manicure, and a new movie at home. I know she's ready for school, but the thought of her riding a bus by herself, being somewhere for half a day where I don't get a daily report, and navigating the big world that's out there has me a little freaked out. And I don't think I can blame it all on pregnancy hormones. Luckily, Anna has yet to disappoint me in her enthusiastic reaction to all new life changes, and I know she's ready for this new challenge! Oh the places you'll go little lady! 

Ready for the meet and greet with her teacher ; I may have called my Mom bawling half hour before this picture was taken (and before Anna was home) ... 

Diver girl

The girls have loved our weekends at the pool, as have Mom and Dad, especially a very pregnant and hot Mom : ) We went to the same pool last summer and love it because of the many kid-friendly features; last year Charlotte and I hung out in the zero-entry area while Mike and Anna were able to bop around the pool and the water slide. This year we're all over the place, bopping around the pool, in the deeper (5 foot) area, on the wall of stairs, the slide, and after this past weekend, the diving board. Anna has done GREAT at swim lessons and has more confidence than I ever imagined after just a few months of lessons and decided she was ready. She did great her first time off the board, swam to the edge by herself, and showed no fear. I had a mild heart attack, but that's to be expected : )

Perfect timing to get her swim class ribbon for swimming the length of the pool!

They don't' give ribbons for just being crazy, sorry, Charlotte : ) 

Big muscles

Mike taught our girls early how to flex and flaunt their "big muscles" and I almost died a few weeks ago when nakes ba'bakes came around the corner flexing for me. Daddy wasn't home, so we naturally had to get it on video and send to him : )

Kindergarten safety camp graduate

After hearing rave reviews from a neighbor and knowing Anna would have a friend in the class, we enrolled her in a Kindergarten safety camp class that ran a few weeks ago. To say she had a blast was an understatement! The camp ran one week from 9 - 11:30am and taught the kids all sort of safety lessons, tips, and techniques. They also got to drive small electric cars each day, meet a police officer, ride a school bus, and tour a fire station. I loved the graduation ceremony on the last day,  it really hit home that I have a school age child now (tiny tear!).

The graduate and her certificate!

With her BFF and neighbor, Adam : ) 

The kids sang a few songs for us, including Twinkle Twinkle Traffic Light, which is now a fave in our home : ) 

I took the afternoon off to spend with my big girl, we started with lunch at her fave, Frisch's 

Partial potty success

Shortly after publishing this post, Anna spent most of the weekend with Gigi (my Mom) and Mike and I dedicated ourselves to getting our sassy and stubborn youngest child potty trained. We had treats, we downloaded apps, we cleared our schedules (and for me, mourned the loss of trips to the pool) and went all in. Within the first couple of hours we had a pee on the potty and I almost peed my own pants I was so excited. Charlotte did great the rest of the weekend and by Monday was in underwear and had no potty accidents at school. She was peeing like a champ. Pooping not so much; and we're still working on that, but life is all about small victories, and if we've learned anything about timing with her it's that she'll do it when she's ready and on her own time.

In the meantime I'd like to thank the Elmo Potty app and my old knees for getting me through lots of timing sitting on a stool waiting for the glorious sound of liquid hitting toilet water : )

Potty pains

I'm pretty sure I found this picture and saved it on round 2 or 3 of potty training Miss Charlotte. At the time I thought it would be funny for a few days, maybe a week, a month tops. Fast forward a few months and we still have a diaper-wearing 3-year old on our hands; this girl is stubborn with a capital S. Believe me when I tell you we've tried everything (and I mean EVERYTHING). We're persistent and continue to work with her, but at end end of the day it's got to be on her time; so help me God that her time is before this baby is born in 9 weeks and counting.

And, if you have a suggestion that you're *sure* we haven't tried and will work for us, she's all yours to try it out on; document your process, send her back home in underwear, and take your show on the road to make your millions ... and if you're not willing to do that, might I suggest you not say a word because NO ONE dislikes changing poopy diapers more than an eight-month pregnant lady.

Pearly whites

Charlotte did great during her first trip to the dentist; no cavities!! Just like most kids, she's constantly surprising me, and just when I thought she'd have to sit on my lap like her sister did during her first visit, she hopped right up in the chair without any hesitation! Of course it didn't hurt that there's not a ton of room available on Mommy's lap, ha. We know we need to work on thumb sucking this year, but we agreed that potty training comes first ... one step at a time!

Because her appointment was mid-morning, we decided that it just made sense to enjoy lunch together and then finish the day at home with a nap (her, not me, unfortunately). Again she surprised me by eating most of her lunch and then taking off (literally) to play in the play area! Look at that pretty smile!

First days

After seeing so many cute picture of my friend's kiddos heading off to school, I couldn't help snap a picture on Anna's first day of pre-K. She looks so grown up! When did that happen??

"I want to be a farmer when I grow up!"

And Miss C couldn't resist getting in on the action too, and preferred a solo picture, thank you very much.

A girl's first hibachi

Checkin' milestones on the list left and right, we are : ) Unfortunately the hibachi wasn't as fun as we'd hoped, and it won't be in the regular rotation anytime soon, but it was about as successful as any family meal at a restaurant these days ...

Celebrating six

We celebrated six years together with a few days out of town, good food, and good times. A big thank you to Gigi for watching the girls, it's always easier to go away when you know everyone is in good hands.

We started the celebration at deSha's in Cincinnati on the anniversary of our rehearsal dinner at the Lexington location (RIP)

Dinner at Dudley's to celebrate six years! 

Mike's first trip to Natural Bridge / Red River Gorge ... this picture appropriately taken at Lover's leap : )

If you know me, you know I'm not very adventurous, but the girls have stolen my ability to sleep in and made me restless when, so we went hiking and had a great time!  

 

The gorgeous view on before heading home to the crazy, but wonderful, life we've created!

Seis

Six years ago we said "I do" and what a whirlwind life has been since then, in the best ways imaginable. In 2,190 days we've moved houses, added one (bad) cat and two beautiful girls, lived, laughed, and loved. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat! Here's to at least 60 more years of the same.

Color me a proud Mama

Anna: Mommy, how do you spell your name?

Me: (as I'm chasing after Charlotte in the front yard) M - O - M - M - Y

Anna: Like this, Mommy? 

: ) 

Time for your check-up

You can hardly tell from this picture, taken at her two-year well-check, that Charlotte hates the doctor, but the screams you hear as a result of a non-invasive physical exam would tell you otherwise. She measured up at 27 pounds (50%) and 33 1/2 inches (50%), and is off the charts for personality.

Going mobile

In between Anna contracting strep throat, Mike and Anna picking up Charlotte's hand foot and mouth disease (in tandem for Anna), and Charlotte coming down with a 24-hour stomach bug, this little girl took (finally) her first steps toward true mobility over the weekend!  She isn't doing laps around the house just yet, but she's definitely loving the new nooks and crannies she's able to explore.  Way to go little girl!!

First bites

As soon as we returned from vacation, this big 6-month-old girl was ready to start solids! If the pictures below and the smiles of delight are any indication, I think she liked it : ) We started with a little rice and oatmeal cereal, but are quickly moving along to purees including sweet potatoes and squash, yummm! Because it's easy and economical, I'm hoping to make most of her purees the same as I did with Anna; it's time to get mushy all over again.

PS - I am IN LOVE with her eyes and those lashes!  She has the same long beauties as her sister and they are to die for!

Charlotte rolls

I still remember how excited we were when Anna first found her "wings" and started rolling over ... little did I know that it was the start to a life of mobility, and one day I may yearn for the months when she was stationary.  Even though she's the second baby, we were no less thrilled when Charlotte found her own wings, and proved she's just as cute doing it as her big sister!  I do feel bad that it took me longer to capture it on video, but I'd like to think it just gave her time to perfect her sport.  And, of course, Anna had to get in on all of the fun as well!  (Apologies that I wasn't able to merge these into one video ... even if I did have the software, I'm not sure when I'd find the time)

Gettin' loose!

And then big sister decided to show off her skills too : )

.

One last big roll for Miss C, with a cameo from Milo : )