Micah's Dolphin School

Micah went to preschool yesterday!!

He was very excited to go to school like the big kids.

Class Clown

 He was ready to go first thing in the morning when we were taking the big kids to school.  But we didn't have to be at his school quite so early since it was just meet the teacher and parent orientation.  Still, he grabbed his back pack, put on Addie's flips, got bubby... and said "Bye Mom".  oh man.

Not "Best Dressed"

Now it was really time!

When we walked into his room, I think the flurry of excitement and all the people got to the little guy... and he did not want me to leave.  (I had to go to a meeting for the mamas). It was different.  But he goes in the 2 year old room at church and at the gym... sometimes a little unwillingly as well... so I didn't have concern that he wouldn't calm down or anything like that. 

However, having my littlest grip my neck and say "No Mommy go."  and cry... was as hard as it could be.  So sweet.. big tears.. and I gave him over to two teachers I didn't yet know.  They were so sweet and supportive .. and I could tell they genuinely cared.  The one teacher asked if she could pick him up and she did.  She told me not to worry and that he would be loved.  My first thought was "oh, he's my 3rd.  I'm not worried.  I just want a break!"... and though that IS true... it wasn't at that moment.  I just nodded and said "I'll be right in the chapel."  (she probably thought duh!) 

I sat there thinking how even though yes he is my 3rd, it still is hard to let one of them go and do something for themselves.  Yes, I know this will be good for him.. he misses the big kids so much during the day.  And I am Positive this will be good for ME.  I need a break, especially as deployment nears.  I have prayed about it and I really have No guilt.. so that should tell ya... I'm good with this choice!! lol.   but..... I don't think I felt the confirmation until I picked him up and he came running to me and said "Micah dolphin school!!!"  (yes, he always talks about himself in 3rd person.  no, I do not correct it.)   "Dolphin school?" I asked, really confused as to why they would have had a lesson on dolphins.  "NO!  Micah Dolfit School!!"   ohhhhh... I got it... different school.  "Different school?  You go to a different school just for Micah?"  I asked.   "YES!!!"  and his teacher asked if he wanted to come back and again... "YES!!".............  there's that confirmation.
 

he's really attached to the back pack

WE DID IT!!!!

Fist day back

Today is the first day of school!  There was excitement, a little bit of nervousness (mostly me), and smiles here this morning.  I admit, many times this summer I longed for this day... and don't get me wrong.. i'm Glad it's here!  But a little part of me was sad today when they got out of the car and looked  back at me.. long blonde hair and big smile waved excitedly! & short messy blonde hair and timid smile whispered "bye mama" to me.   And. That. Got. Me.  (as well as now typing it). 

I cried a little on the way home.  Thinking of how proud I am of them.  They are good kids.  They are excited to start a new year!  and It's going to be a good one!!  I am so glad Daddy got to see them off on their first day... He won't be home for their last day, and many days in between.  But it's not time to think of that now.  Push that out and focus on TODAY.  What TODAY IS!!

and it's the First Day of a NEW Year!
(I tend to categorize the new year as in the start of school.. and not in January.. anyone else?)

Today when I woke them both, I hugged and kissed many times to get them (ME) through the day.  I've grown so used to accepting during the day: Addie's tight hugs around my waist and Garrett's little giggle as I steal a kiss on the top of his getting too tall for me head!  I'll have to wait a few hours now.  Micah will have to wait too.  He is lost without them.  "where Addie go?  G back soon?" ....
"Yes. They will be home soon", I tell him (myself).  And I know before too long it will seem like they are home "soon"  and the days  will fly.  My time will be cut short by the buzzer of my "don't forget your kids" alarm on my phone!  .. but today might seem a little longer.

I told them both a few things this morning... and again in their lunches..
1. I love you
2. I am so proud of you
3. I am excited for you
4. I have prayed for you and your day

I hope they can hold one to that if the day seems long to them. 

 

 

 

3rd Grader

1st Grader

Ready To Do This!

Today is fist day back for me too!  Not that anyone is necessarily wondering where I have been.. but I took a break from recording our "Todays" for the second half of the summer.  We had a lot of fun.. and I'd like to do some catch up posting to log it for us. 

Window Flower Box for my Princess

Addie has said over and over that she wants flowers outside her window.. so when she looks outside she can see the pretty flowers and look for the fairies.  *yes, this is her world and I just live in it*   Since I can barely to remember to water my flowers on my front porch... I figure remembering to take care of flowers on the side of the house probably isn't going to happen.  But.. I think I succeeded in giving this girlie a flower garden .. without the hassle of maintenance. 

Pretty proud of this little flower box.. more so because I just decided to do it and actually did it all in the same day!  Small Victories!

 

 

I used pallet wood- but this time didn't have to cut each piece slooooowly with a little hand saw.  I used this baby!  Matt's Father's Day gift :)  hehehehe

OH MY GOSH!  Why didn't I get this for "Matt" sooner!!  Zip Zip and I was done, with pretty decent cuts.  Rough, yes, but it works for what it is.   I nailed the sides together.. somewhat challenging (next "he's" getting a nail gun!)  then dusted off the saw dust and got out the spray paint!  (I did not even bother sanding it.)

I put some that green floral Styrofoam stuff at the bottom and put flowers in it for her.

 

I'm hoping she doesn't need to pick them.. that foam stuff crumbles and makes such a mess!  ;)

 

A happy little flower box.. she's happy... I'm happy.

 

Right?! Purple and Pink and Princess!! 

and a happy little flower box

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under construction

I'm playing around with different templates and designs ... trying to change this up a little and make it new and fresh.  Not really sure what i'm doing..  lol!

any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

sorry, that's all...

Anchors Away Wreath

Here's a few festive things I got done in the nick of time for the 4th!!  You know how it is.. You think you have plenty of time and then it sneaks right up on you! Or maybe that's just me?!   That is what happened to me with our vacation thrown in there. I really wanted to make a new wreath and I have quite a few Patriotic wreaths pinned .. Such good intentions. I knew it was not going to happen if I didn't make it simple ... I remembered I had part of a plastic table cloth wreath started.. In white. Score!  Plus I bought some nautical ribbon a while back that I wanted to use. And (I know the suspense is killing you).. I found a wooden anchor from my "Americana" days.. It just needed to meet the white spray paint!  So bring on a night of wine with a friend who graciously sat with me while I tied strips of plastic table cloth to a wire wreath form while.  And a rainy afternoon during nap time where I chatted it up the phone with my BFF and caught up on "the most dramatic rose ceremony ever" to finish up the ribbon... And BOOM!  A firecracker of a wreath, done.

 The plastic tablecloth is perfect for the humid July weather in Florida! 

Seriously.. All you do is cut strips of the table cloth (about 8 inches long and an inch or so wide).  This is not for the exact science types.. Just eyeball it!   I chose to tie it on to the inner circle, the second row, and the fourth row on the wire wreath.  I think it looks full enough without having to tie every row.  But, you be the judge ;)  Click here to see some larger and fuller versions I made.

As for the ribbon.. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do.. So I played around with it till I came up with this.  I didn't cut it, I just made loops and hen secured it to the wreath form with wire.  It was sort of a variation of the ribbon wreath I made recently, but without making all the loops individually. 

Happy 4th!  

I used the extra ribbon as I typically do... To make Addie a hair bow ;) and one for her BFF. 

oops.. I saved it wrong I guess.. you get the idea ;)

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Pride

Hope you had a great celebration of Independance Day!  It's one of my favorite holidays.  I love that its laid back and spent with friends, good food, and weather permitting.. Outside!  I also love taking the day to remember and give thanks for our freedoms, our founders & their principles they built the country on, and of course for our military families sacrificing to protect.

As a military spouse I know firsthand what kind of sacrifices we military families make. It's not glorious and it doesn't need to be trumpeted.  We aren't asking for recognition. But respect and a nod to the efforts is greatly appreciated. It makes me smile. 

After nearly 12 years in the military way of life, I still tear up during most versions of The National Anthem. That probably will never cease to make my heart swell with PRIDE.  

It's Pride for our country. Because though flawed and often arrogant.. We still know how to come together and take care of one another when it truly counts.

Pride for the wounded and fallen soldiers.  I am thankful for their service.  I grieve for their families. 

Pride for my husband and our many friends who serve.  I am always humbled by their continued dedication to something that is so much more than a job. 

Pride for the spouses I have met ..They keep me going. These are amazing women who became life long friends & taught me that its more than ok to cry and how to still move forward and even enjoy the sisterhood formed through deployments. 

Pride for the military kids.  The kids truly have my heart. They endure moves, schools, deployments, and more goodbyes than a kid should have to know... And it's not always easy or done gracefully. But for all these hardships.. They do have something Awesome that is only understood by a fellow "brat" .. Homecoming!  I pray the kids would learn what makes our country special, learn the history, and develop a respect for those that serve and did serve. I pray they learn to show reverence to the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice on days such as July 4 and other American holidays. I pray that they are a light in their friendships with civilian kids to demonstrate patriotism even at a young age. 

I am thankful my husband was home this year, I don't take that for granted. And I found myself thinking all day on the 4th, "Next year -at this time- he will be back home.  Deployment will be over again. We just have to make it through all the stuff in between."  

Drawing on that Pride.

July Mantel

Here's my July mantel... I Really like it!! It's going to stay up there all month. 

I love the ribbon threaded through the shutter..Reminiscent of a flag, I think.  The nautical ribbon iso cute!  The stars I've had for a long time. After some spray paint.. I finally found a home for them. 

 This sounds silly... But I kept looking at this the other night, thinking, "something is not right."  But I couldn't quite pin point it. Finally it hit me... The stars on the bottle needed to pop. So white spray paint for them.. And now I like!

Oh my sweet Garrett!  This was back in 06, when Matt came home (Brunswick, Maine) from deployment.  I just love this pic.. 

Aside from the poor photo .. I am happy with it!  

Happy 4th of July!!