Family Pics

Our babysitter, Ellen, has a photography business. She took our photos the first weekend in November when Opa and Nana were here. Nana directed the one of the girls marching in a line, trying to recreate the famous mud marching photo of my sisters and me.

Happiness Is

I had a teeny tiny health scare recently. While I was sitting in the waiting room contemplating the end of life (yes, a bit dramatic), I wrote the following.

30 minutes after I wrote it, I learned I was completely fine. Might as well save it for posterity!


Happiness is...

The Charlee wake up. "Ma. Maaaa!" And then being greeted by her mouthy smile.

Being the small spoon to Chad's big spoon.

 

A perfect cup of black coffee, Kaldi's Highlander Grogg, and making one for Chad his way with soy milk and agave sweetener. 

 

Finishing an early morning run with Julie and walking into a quiet, sleepy house. 

 

Kicking ass at work. Solving someone's problem. Understanding something new. Explaining a complex thing simply. Teaching, helping, and listening to coworkers. 

Laughing out loud. 

 

Watching Kate read or run after the soccer ball. 

 

Hearing Claire express her feelings. "I'm frustrated." "I love you [more] than Legos."

 

Reading a book that moves me. 

 

Planning and making a new recipe that I'd make again. 

 

Hanging out with the gang of my extended family. 

 

My parents marveling at my kids. 

A little nervous and a little excited

Today was Kate's first day of kindergarten. We've never been worried about the transition from preschool to kindergarten for Kate. I spent more time worrying about what to pack for lunch than I did about how she would feel about starting in a new place.

Kate prepared by meeting her teacher, visiting her school, braiding her hair, painting her fingernails, and helping pack her lunch.

Claire's had a rougher time with the change than Kate. She doesn't like that Kate doesn't go to school with her anymore.

Here's the rundown of how kindergarten morning went.

Kate: One of the first things she said this morning was "I'm a little nervous and little bit excited." She couldn't wait to get out the door.

Claire: pissed that she didn't get a new dress and a new school. She said "I'm fussy. Do you know what that means? It means when someone is frustrated because the big sister gets the special stuff, and the little sister doesn't." Getting ready was rough, but drop-off was fine. Possibly related to parental guilt: Claire and I went shopping after school today and bought HER a new dress.

Charlee: could have cared less. Just wanted "brefuss" and "brush my own hair!" 

Chad and I took Kate, took about 50 pics, tried not to cry, and then went to breakfast with our friends and neighbors, JB and Julie. 

Our neighbor, Patrick, and Kate are in the same class

Julie surprised us by stopping by K's class and offering to take a family pic

We picked Kate up together. Here's a synopsis of our conversation.

Us: How was your day?

K: Great!!

Us: What did you like most?

K: Seeing my friends Nick and Charlie.

Us: What did you like least?

K: P.E. It was boring.

Us: What was hard? What was easy?

K: Nothing. It was juuuussssst right.

Us: Do you like kindergarten?

K: I want to do kindergarten FOREVER.

Love that kid!!!