Preschool Options

I've probably been asked about a zillion times about Kayla going to preschool this year, her last year before Kindergarten. I felt a little guilty telling people she wasn't doing any kind of "program" until I really stopped to think about it. 

Had we not had our "move to Brunswick County can't sell our house drama"  I never would have gone to work as a preschool director and my first two would never have gone to preschool at all. But life happens and as a result, all three of our kids have had different preschool experiences.

Madeline... 3 months of preschool before Kindergarten. Audrey... 3 full years of preschool. Kayla... 1 year of preschool and 2 years of home. All kids are different, all moms are different, and the fact that I (or any of you reading) worry about making the right decisions in regards to our kids... just shows that they will turn out okay. There isn't a "right" way to do schooling. Shew... glad to have that off my chest!!

Back to Kayla... she is my social kid. She plays well with other kids, has no anxiety in social situations, can communicate well with kids and adults, has AMAZING gross motor skills, and is more independent than some 3rd graders in Madeline's class. Her struggle right now is purely academic and stems mostly from a lack of self confidence. THAT is something we can work on building together. Last year we worked some on writing and learning her letters but she just wasn't ready, we both would end up frustrated and that just wasn't worth it, so besides learning to write her name I just gave her more time to grow and develop. She mastered stuff like scissors, stickers, colors, shapes, counting... but this year she seems ready to work on writing!

And so this week we are slowly transitioning into morning "school" time, which she loves so far. So does Little Sunshine as she is right up in the middle of things too.

Playdoh letter building...

Hunting and stickering letters in a word search...

And actually writing her letters...

This is a much happier face than I saw last year... and there have been no tears!!

Schooling is just one of the areas in our life right now where we are seeing "nature vs nurture" play out in our children. The things we do for our kids is HUGE but so are the genetics they are born with. This precious girl is 100% different from my other two... which is absolutely NOT a bad thing... it just means all I thought I knew as a mom (hahaha) ... all the ways I've done things with my first two and wanted to pat myself on the back for... just need to be tossed out the window. I know nothing about being a mom!!

Slowly MY "accomplishments" and my "failures" are being brought to the foot of the cross as I realize that I can do my best but my identity is not found in these girls but instead my Heavenly Father. How easy it is for them to become our idols when instead they are simply placed in our care to raise and turn loose for God's glory. They are HIS story, not mine. 

And so, no. We are not doing preschool this year. Kayla and I (plus Little Sunshine) have a lot of growing in God's grace to do together this year. I have this thing called the alphabet to teach her, but she and God have a much harder task ahead of them as they teach me to give up control, simply trust in Him, and be content right where He needs me to be. 

Being Big

With each new little person that joins our family I am amazed at how quickly they pick up skills... good and bad... simply because they have older siblings to watch. And so is the case for Little Sunshine. She is into everything because really, if the big girls can do it, why shouldn't I?! You can see those words written all over her expressions when you tell her "no" to something! Ahhh the joys of toddlerhood!

Here are some of my latest favorites of Little Sunshine right in there with her big sisters learning to do everything too. 

iPad time...

Sitting on Audrey's lap while Audrey tries to TV...

At the bus stop...

Being human obstacles for the neighborhood kids that are bike riding...

By the way... did you know that pavement gets hot?!? Little Sunshine laid like this forever... Just repeating... Hot?! Hot?! Hot!?

I tell you, there is rarely a dull or quiet minute here in girl-land, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

First Day of School 2016

We had "Open House" last Thursday, and the girls were SO excited to meet their new teachers!! Then we had a pretty laid back weekend, just to prepare for our start back to school today.

Last night after putting everyone to bed, Mark and I did our typical breakfast table decorating and first day of school eve prepping. I don't know that our kids will remember the big deal we make out of the first day of school each year, and that's okay. Because really, some of it is about making ME okay with it being the first day of school again. (I appreciate my husband acting like it's a big deal to him too.) But I am a momma that doesn't really enjoy sending her kids back to school, because it means admitting that summer is over and that they are another year older. And that's hard for this mom to swallow some days. (Not on the days that they fight and argue and I'd be okay with them leaving for college NOW... but on all the other good days. LOL!)

And pulling these back out gave me the sniffles... their heart pocket lockets that stay in their book bag just in case they need a little "Mom and Dad" when they are at school. 

This morning came early for Mark and I, but the girls were up, dressed, and ready to eat at 6:30. They are morning people!! And so, while I did the first day of school photos outside, Mark was cooking up their favorite breakfast, French toast & bacon!! 

And here are the FIRST DAY pictures... 

But this may be my favorite... next year he's going to have to carry three on the first day of school! YIKES! 

Parents are allowed to walk their kids to their classrooms for the first 10 days of school, and you can bet Mark and I take full advantage of those 10 days because the girls will still let us.

 And how about a good hallway selfie?! 

We dropped off Madeline first, because you have no excuse to be late to 3rd Grade!! She actually gets to switch classes this year... here she is with her two teachers for the year: Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Webster. (These are pics from Open House!) 

From there we headed down to the 1st Grade pod. We had a few minutes to spare so we got a few extra pictures with Audrey... 

And here she is with her teacher, Mrs. Whalen: 

And once we hit the parking lot, we ran into all the other loony parents like us, so why not, what's one more FIRST DAY of SCHOOL selfie?! But with the parents... 

And so, the little ones and I returned home. Kayla remembered quickly what it was like to rule the roost... and we will be should be settled back into routine by the end of the week. But let's not forget a BACK TO SCHOOL dance party...

Once the girls got off the bus this afternoon, it was NONSTOP schoolhouse chatter until bedtime! I LOVE that my girls both had an amazing first day... and again I can't believe that next year, I'll be sending Kayla along with them. 

I have high hopes for a great school year, and can't wait to share our school adventures with you. I so have enjoyed seeing all the pictures today and hope all of you... teachers and parents of students... had a great day too! 

Experiences

My girls very much are in the phase of trying new things. Over the summer they decided their favorite front porch snack activity was shelling peanuts and it has become quite a regular thing, even with Little Sunshine who used to just suck on the shells.

Along with trying new things, they love to help me make things in the kitchen that are new. While Madeline won't try a single thing we make, she still loves following recipes. Here they are working hard on lasagna last week.

Nothing makes me happier than giving these kiddos "experiences," no matter how small and insignificant they may seem. Because one day, I hope that they look back on these trivial activities and realize that they are what actually made their childhoods great. 

Summer Bike Riding

This spring we did a lot of family bike riding, but as the temperatures began to soar and the traffic got heavier with all the beach tourists, we took a break and decided to pick it back up again in the fall. Well, when I asked the big girls their list of things they wanted to do before going back to school, Audrey's number one pick was a family bike ride. And so of course, we made it happen.

Last night, we got the baby seat put back on my bike and gave Little Sunshine a practice ride, and then this morning we loaded up and headed to downtown Southport. Here are all SIX of us ready to go!

We parked down by the waterfront and then made a nice loop through town taking several stops along the way. First stop, breakfast at Burney's Bakery! No, that's not Kayla eating with random strangers, that is Mike and Melissa our neighbors across the street, who were brave enough to go on a bike riding adventure with us! 

For it being Audrey who wanted to bike ride, she got whiny and tired first.

So we made several more break stops. At the park: 

And at the waterfront to feed the birds some cereal: 

After wrestling the cereal away from the "always wants a snack" baby of course:

I was glad we got out there early, because it got hot in a hurry. But we had fun making our little loop around Southport. We definitely need some more practice to build back up to that 15 mile trek we did in the spring, but we will get there... as soon as the fall weather decides to come. 

Final Beach Day

It's the LAST day of summer vacation and of course my girls asked to spend it on the beach. No complaints from this momma. Little Sunshine is still battling a bit of a virus so we played alone today, but they had fun just the same. When you have four kids, they have built in playmates and just shuffle around when they get bored with one of their sisters.

Today we got there at low tide so there was not only a calm ocean, but also the tidal pools to play in. And they played, and played, all morning long and into the afternoon. When I found them all floating like this, I knew they were done and all worn out. So we packed up. 

It has been an amazing summer with these beautiful girls. We have done all sorts of things and been all sorts of places, but no doubt we will always remember it was the summer of "Little Sunshine" and what a crazy adventure it's been learning to be a momma to 4! 

Diary of a Mad Woman

12 days... 11 dentist/doctor visits.
Well checks. Ear infections. Scheduled cleanings. Ear infection. Strep throat. Infected bug bites. Crazy baby reaction to antibiotic. (Oh, and PMS!)
We live in a small town. ALL of our doctors and dentists are at least 30 minutes away. My poor kids have spent SO much time in the car and in waiting rooms.

It's the week before school starts, the big kids are being SO mean and hateful to each other. It's like they knew I was considering missing them-- because I do LOVE having all my kids home-- but they are successfully trying to ruin that this week.

We thought we found a rental house. Then we didn't have a rental house. Then I just haven't had time to even think about the fact that we need a rental house. Back to square one. God's got this... because I just don't even have time.

We celebrated two birthdays. I baked, I planned, I shopped. Everyone was happy.

I stayed up late keeping up with laundry and dishes and planning and organizing commitments I have outside our house. But I feel my little island getting smaller by the minute because I rarely have any real adult conversations... sorry, Mark, you don't count... and the little cannibals are about to eat me alive.

Did I mention my husband just went to bed... he said his ear hurt.
Y'all... I AM SO OVER IT!

It is always something... and almost every single one of you reading can identify because your life feels the same, just different details.

But I stop, I have to make myself stop. Make myself breathe. I remember who I am and where God has brought me from in these last few years. And perspective resurfaces.

In my quiet time yesterday... HILARIOUS-- quiet time... let me re-phrase that...while I sat in the baby room and rocked her while she screamed at me, I was reading a tiny book a dear friend gave me this week. The author was talking about how we often think that stepping out and following the will of God should get easier each time we do it. (Oh, what a mistake in thinking that is.) But this passage really spoke to me!

"The blessings of God won't just bless you, they will also complicate your life. Sin will complicate your life in negative ways, in ways it should not be complicated; the blessings of God will complicate your life in positive ways, in ways it should be complicated." - Mark Batterson, Praying Circles Around Your Children

My life was SO much easier before these little germ bags... I say that in the kindest way. Before my biological two were born, life was easier. Before we adopted a kiddo that came with lots of baggage and still has lots of issues surfacing we never anticipated, life was easier. And 12 weeks ago before we added a crazy foster toddler to our house, life was definitely easier.

And on the hard weeks, it's just plain hard and I want to throw in the towel and be done. Because ALL THIS together is SO hard and I feel SO alone.

Yet I know that these little people, that suck the life out of me every moment of every day, may very well be the greatest thing I do on this earth for Jesus. They are my beautiful complications. And so I remember, that saying yes to the will of God and attempting to live in it everyday doesn't get easier, it just prepares me for saying "yes" to something bigger next time.

And right now, THIS place I feel like I am drowning in, it really is right in the middle of where God wants me to be, right in the center of His will, realizing that on my own, I indeed will drown. But with Him I can walk on water. THIS is just another step preparing me for what comes next.

And it's HIS beautiful creation made with MY beautiful mess.

Be encouraged friend, this reminder is for you too! 

Cooler Weather

Okay, I shouldn't say cooler... but the humidity was down and we could tolerate being outside for awhile other than at the pool or the beach. (I know, hard for you inlanders to imagine, needing a break from going to the beach!!)

We had an appointment in Leland, so we packed lunches and headed to one of the parks we rarely visit for some outside time. This newer park has all the fun climbing webs, so the three big girls were completely happy off the ground and Little Sunshine just walked around underneath, smiling up at them, and jabbering away.

And they do have shaded picnic tables, so we enjoyed a lunch in the shade.

I am savoring these last days before school starts... next Monday is coming quick y'all! Sniff, sniff!

Porch Swinging

Mark and Madeline hung up her birthday present today on the front porch. Just what we needed!! More junk for our front porch. I think we now have seating/swinging for 10!!

My bookworm is happy to have a new place to hang out and read. 

And that's where she stayed for about an hour today. 

I'd say her birthday present was a hit! 

Imagination

We have had a jam packed fun filled summer but I did remember to schedule a bit of down time here
at the end. To be honest, my girls aren't so used to that. This week though, they've had plenty of "play at home with your sisters" time. 

Most of you know I am not big on technology for the kids, so with very limited TV and no handheld gaming devices, they've actually had to use their imaginations once they got tired of playing in the hot sun, legos, dress up, American Girl play, and Little Woodzees. 

After I finished cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast I walked in on this:

 

I have been slowly packing up boxes since we are supposed to be finding a new place to live... that's not going so well... so there are lots of boxes around. This is their zoo train. I told them they couldn't destroy the boxes (no tape/scissors/glue) so please note how Audrey "hooked" the train cars together. I think you can see on the box between her and Kayla, she used glue sticks, but simply as "chains" between the cars. 

I left for awhile to flip and fold laundry and it got quiet. I came back to this:

Yea, now they are in a submarine!!

Don't misunderstand me... these three fight like any other siblings and I was probably yelling at them about 5 minutes after I took this picture.... BUT, I'm not ready for summer to be over. I LOVE having these sweet girls all at home and watching them play and learn together. Although the big two are ready to go back, this momma is gonna be sad in another week when school year routine is back upon us. 

I have absolutely loved being with my girls all summer... 99.5%of the time.

(Little Sunshine missed box time this am, she was napping.)