scarecrow

Sam,

I was trying to fall asleep the other night, but my mind was going a million miles a minute. That's usually what happens to mommies...or maybe just your mommy...who knows? I get caught up in what needs to be done the next day to fulfill my work role, my mommy role and everything that falls in between or my mind starts planning art projects.

So, I was laying there thinking about a project I might want to tackle. I'd been working on an alphabet painting for a custom order that week and thought it might be fun to tackle a farm themed one to post to the shop. I started to fill in what I could in my head for each letter that might pertain to farm life ...apple...barn...corn... I worked my way down the alphabet leaving some letters to ponder when I woke up just 5 short hours later.

When I got to "S", I immediately thought "scarecrow". And that's when your adorably chubby little 18-month-old face popped into my head. That fall, I was starting to get concerned that you were going to have a hard time developing your vocabulary. Sure, you could say "mama" and "daddy" and a few other staples to be able to communicate when combined with your laughing or crying and pointing. You had a name for your newborn sister...no, not her given name, but "Chee". It was as cute as could be, but, as hard as I tried, I couldn't get you to call her "Grace".

One day, I ran out to grab some groceries and came home with a cute fall scarecrow to hang on the front door. You were intrigued. After an afternoon of checking it out, that evening, on your way up the stairs to bed, you stopped at the front door, pointed to our new decoration, and clearly stated, "Scarecrow". I stood there dumbfounded with tears in my eyes as you toddled happily up the stairs to brush your teeth.

Today, as you carried on a lengthy conversation at the zoo casually using words like "evidently" and repeating every fact you'd ever learned about lions, I had to laugh to myself at how silly I was back when you were starting to talk. "Scarecrow" was the turning point and you haven't stopped talking since.

You've developed an ability to captivate an audience with your tales, no matter what the subject. You love to learn and love to teach what you've learned. As much as I'd love to find a pause button for the here and now, I really can't wait to find out where you go with this amazing speaking and story-telling ability that you possess. I can only imagine that it will be remarkable.

MI in June (day 2)

Day 2 in Onaway started off VERY early with a nice little hail storm! Kris took pics to document. :)

Then we loaded up and drove up to the Soo to celebrate Meaghan's high school graduation! (Congrats, Meaghan!) A few pics from the party:

We spent the night in the Soo to get a little extra visiting time in with the Buckley crew while we watched Meaghan open her gifts, checked out the Locks and went swimming at the hotel.

It was so nice to go to Bruce and Sherri for once since they are always coming down to Onaway to meet up with us.

what a fun day it was...

Grace's birthday party was one of the best ones, yet. Kind of made me wish Sam had the option for a park birthday party, but February weather prevents that!

Grace wanted a party where they could play soccer, play t-ball, have their faces painted, do a craft and play on the playground...and she got just that! Since past birthday parties were getting a little large, I started the "you can invite the number of kids that equal the age you're turning" rule that my mom had with us when we were kids. It worked out great (that is, after Grace's nail-biting decision of who to invite that almost made me give in and let her invite more...almost). The small group played well together, no one got left out, and Kris and I had an easier time keeping track of everyone. That will definitely be the standing rule from this point on.

Oh, and the cake was a big hit! Grace had drawn a picture of what she wanted a couple of weeks ago and actually had me and Kris sign off on it...a binding contract!! She is a big fan of all the cake baking/decorating shows that are all over tv right now, so she insisted that we use fondant on her cake. Seriously, I don't know if fondant even existed when I was a kid, but if it did, I definitely had no idea what it was!

In true diva fashion, she kept the celebration going beyond the actual birthday, when we headed north to MI on vacation and she squeezed in a birthday celebration with Kris's side of the family. Posts on that will be coming soon!

And just like that...

...the little one is 5. Happy Birthday my little Gracie Lu. You drive me absolutely insane some days, but I am starting to realize it's because I think I might be looking at myself at your age...the bossy, sneaky, tv-addicted, faux rule-follower. You balance it all out well with the whole other side...the smart, imaginative, creative, funny, animal-loving, cuddly, outgoing and soft-hearted side. And you know what? We love you for ALL of it! I couldn't have asked for a better 5 years. I hope all your birthday wishes come true and you do grow hair as long as Rapunzel's!

What we've been up to {Part 11}

We've been watching out little man graduate from kindergarten! It was a fun, yet tearjerking show, as they presented us with a slide show of the year at the end, as they had for preK the day before. Of course they have to get us with the music selections! Let Them be Little, Angels Among Us, etc...there wasn't a dry mama eye in the house! So proud of all Sam has accomplished this year...and he is so proud to be heading to FIRST grade in the fall.

What we've been up to {Part 10}

We've been attending the wedding of Q & U! This is the end-of-the-year program for preK at CKS. It was seriously one of the most adorable things I've ever seen. :) It was bittersweet saying good-bye to Grace's wonderful teachers...what a great year she has had for her first year at CKS.

What we've been up to {Part 9}

We've been participating in fun end-of-the-school-year activities!

PreK Field Day

Even though it only lasted an hour, the PreK kids had so much fun during their Field Day activities. I was in charge of the obstacle course on the playground which was a challenge! The best part was the tug o war, though...Grace's class won and they were soooooo excited. :)

A Day at the Farm with the Kindergarten Classes

Grace got tag along for this one...she was thrilled! It was a really fun day for everyone and the best field trip Sam has had all year. We had a hay ride, played games, had lunch, learned how they saddle a horse/pony, fed chickens, pet horses, and the list goes on! Perfect way to wrap up a busy year of learning. :)

What we've been up to {Part 6}

We've (okay, I've) been designing, painting, crafting, etc...

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