Best Time of Life

Now that spring is on the horizon, we've been spending more time outside.  And it has been so FUN.  Every year gets a little easier, and this summer will likely be the easiest one yet.  While I find myself enjoying the fact that the kids have all become more independent, I miss them needing me.  Make sense? Yeah, I don't understand it either.  Right after Toby was born, I really struggled with him being my last infant.  Everything I do with him, I do for the last time.  When we left the hospital, I cried (and I HATE hospital stays).  I cried when his umbilical cord fell off, when he stopped nursing, the day I threw away his bottles, during our last ECFE class, when he started sleeping alone in his crib, when he learned to walk... I did a lot of crying with Toby.  But I particularly remember a time when I was newly postpartum and crying to my mom about how this part of my life is over- that she gave me the best advice.  She said, "It's sad to not have new babies, but it's pretty cool to watch your own daughter become a mom.  Or see your son accept his diploma.  And to watch as your children's dreams slowly come true.  This isn't the best part of your life, Kim.  It's only the beginning of it."  I didn't understand that back then.  But I'm starting to get it now.  I'll always miss snuggling a baby at bedtime.  But the feeling of joy I get when I watch one of my children accomplish something they've worked really hard at is not even comparable to that.  Listening to Breena read and finding "I love mommy" notes on my bedside table is pretty awesome.  Watching Eli break a board at Taekwondo and seeing the size of his smile is gratifying.  The day Toby learned to write his name he felt invincible and told me he is a "humongous" boy now.  It's the little things that make this life so great.  I do a lot more crying now than I ever did before kids.  In a few months, I'll only have one preschooler left- the thought of it makes me want to throw up.  I'm so proud of all of them and their little/big accomplishments.  Even on the long & trying days I can honestly say that Mom was right.  This is still just the beginning of the best time of my life thanks to the 3 most incredible little people (& their daddy of course)!

It's been 6 months since I've visited this blog. It's about time for an update!

Breena
Despite a rough start to kindergarten, Breena is now thriving.  She does well in school and has made several friends.  Breena stays busy with dance class during the week.  She loves to read and recently discovered a love for Dr. Suess books.  She has grown up SO MUCH this year.  I miss having her little; but I love the young lady she's becoming.  She's caring, sweet, intelligent and kind. This summer, she will be doing soccer again.  She is a great little player and it's so fun to watch her!  I'm ready for summer to come, I miss spending all day with her.  This year has been a hard adjustment for us but I think we've got it figured out now.  Summer can come anytime.

Eli
Eli attends school every day.  He loves it.  This year eli gave TaeKwonDo a try and enjoyed that too.  Currently he is in gymnastics- and does great!  He's out strong boy, that kid has some big muscles!! He's learning his letters and starting to write short words.  Eli's favorite thing to do is to play his tablet.  So we have to carefully monitor how often he plays! This summer, Eli will be in T-ball! I'm looking forward to watching him!

Toby
Toby loves school.  He has no trouble making friends and listens well to his teachers! Toby started gymnastics and he is so fun to watch. Toby and I get to spend a lot of time together alone these days! We enjoy weekly library trips and trips to the mall.  I can't wait until we can spend more time playing outside! Toby loves his bike!

That's us in a nutshell.  We stay busy and somehow there are never enough hours in a day! I've never been more grateful to work part time!!! Warmer weather is on the way- and we are so ready!

Tomorrow is kindergarten... I can't get the imagine of this tiny baby out of my head.  Nearly 6 years old, and so ready for what lies ahead.  I'll be holding her closely in my heart tomorrow as she ventures off.  <3 

To my soon to be KINDERGARTENER,

I've been dreading this day since the day you were born.  I distinctly remember laying in the hospital bed, numb from the waist down, starring at your big brown eyes and worrying that my time with you as a baby would go too fast.  I was right. It did go fast.  Every veteran mother always advises to enjoy every moment because children grow fast.  It wasn't until recently how absolutely true this is.  Tomorrow we find out who your kindergarten teacher will be, the person who will keep you safe and spend the majority of your week days with you.  It won't be just me any longer influencing you day to day.  And that's pretty hard to swallow.  I hope I've taught you everything you'll need to know to be successful school this year- being kind, having an open heart.  Today when you and I were discussing how everyone was different and special you made me so proud.  I wanted you to acknowledge that everyone is special and inside we are all the same.  I told you that you will meet lots of friends with different colors of skin or hair, you said to me "I know mom. We all have hearts".  I hope you take that with you for the rest of your life.  We all have hearts.  You are one very special little girl.  I am going to miss spending my days playing with you while you're at school.  My heart will be aching when I watch you walk Into your kindergarten class for the first time.  But I know you'll be just fine, actually more than fine.  And me? I'll learn how to live a new normal and figure out how to become a mom to my big girl instead of my baby girl.  Daddy and I love you so much.  You're going to make an awesome kindergartener.  I'll be waiting eagerly for you to come home at the end of each day to share your stories with me.  I love you, little bug.  XOXO 

All my love, 

MOMMY

Preschool Graduation

"Congratulations! Today is your day! You're off to great places, you're off and away!  You have brains in your head. You have feet in you're shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. You know what you know. And you are the girl who will decide where to go." 

Here is my girl- THE KINDERGARTENER!  She is officially a prek graduate, it's on to the big time now- elementary school.  I'm so proud of her! Breena had a huge heart and she's so smart. I'm grateful to be her mom.  

Breena,

You are so ready to leave preschool and continue on to kindergarten.  I am excited to watch from below as you start climbing your mountain. I'll always be here to cheer you on, catch you if you fall, give you a nudge when you need encouragement, and cry tears of excitement for you as you reach each milestone along the way!  I love you sweet girl, congratulations on your big accomplishment. 

All my love,

Mommy  

 

"You're off to great places! Today is your day.  Your mountain is waiting- So get on your way!" 

Seasons

I recently read an article about embracing the seasons of your life.  It seemed to hit home for me as I am finding more and more that my role is changing.  I'm learning to embrace, well at least I'm trying.

We went to the park today, the kids & I.  We fed the ducks, walked around the pond, and stopped to play at a few different playgrounds.  When we reached the first play set the kids ran off, eager to go down the slides.  And I sat down on a nearby bench where I could keep a watchful eye on them.  I didn't need to be right there, they are all capable of climbing and playing without a hovering mother.  It was odd to be seated while they played.  Sort of a nice break, sort of heartbreaking.  I reminisced in my head about a trip we had taken to that exact same park two years prior.  I had an 8 month old strapped to my chest in a baby carrier while I pushed a 2 & 3 year old in a stroller around the park.  I didn't dare allow Eli to get out of the stroller because he would've run.  At this time we only played at parks that had a fence, so I could keep my little guy safe.  My life was harder then, a lot more stressful and I never had any time to myself.  I'm not sure when things changed, but suddenly everyone seems so big.  They don't need me now like they once did.   The season has changed.

This week we watched our kids perform in their spring programs at school.  The last preschool program Breena will ever have.  She has 14 days left in preschool.  FOURTEEN.  After that she will be considered a kindergartener.  She doesn't think she needs me much these days.  She wants to be so grown up & I am desperate to keep her small.  This spring we took the training wheels off her bike.  I knew she was ready.  But when I let go of that little pink bicycle seat to let her fly solo, my eyes stung with tears.  No more training wheels and no need for mom to hold her up.  The season has changed.

The kids are in such a fun stage of life.   They are becoming more independent and in turn we are able to really have a lot of FUN together as a family.  I know wonderful adventures are ahead for us.  But the season of having babies and very small children is just about passed.  Soon our home will have no more diapers, no need for a stroller or sippy cups.  I'll probably cry when I drop my sweet girl off at kindergarten.  And it's all okay.  The flowers are budding on a fresh season, it is going to be different, but beautiful in it's own way. 

And to the leader of the pack, my best friend for nearly 12 years, the one who makes me whole & provides endless hours of laughter... I love you more every day.