It's tough to be 3...

Mandy has decided to take a break from dance and gymnastics. I am pretty srue from my perspective (from our conversations) it is a combination of things, including separation from me (going from Mommy and me to big girl) and just flat being tired. After her performance Saturday when asked about class on Monday she simply replied "No, I am done." I guess in her mind it was over and she is "tired of it". I am confident that "this too shall pass" but for now we are taking a break. On the flip side she has become extremely confused about her friendship with her best friend Livy. They met in dance class and she is struggling with understanding they can still be friends even though she isn't dancing anymore. Mrs. Jennifer and I talked earlier today about many things, this included and this was the email Mandy received tonight...

This typed by Mommy, but in Livy's words...

"I want to give you a present. I want you to come see me soon. I'm going to play with you, Mandy! You are my friend. You will dance with me at my house! Yes! I want to hide with you. Yes! We can play monster! Um, we can jump on my trampoline and play with each other. Yes, trampoline! But we will have to take turns. You will see. I miss you! I miss you! Miss! Miss! You will see! Patty cake, patty cake!"

Love. Livy

Mandy wanted to "talk back" to Livy and so this is the message she sent in reply..

A message to Livy typed by Mama...

"I want to send you a house with a doggy in it! You are my BEST friend! For your birthday I want to get you a Cinderella doll. I miss you very much. I really miss you and can't wait for our sleepover at your house. And we can play with Maren too. I want to jump on your trampoline high but no boys allowed...only the girls. I really really want to jump on the trampoline and if it is possible we can be princesses with slippers. I miss you and goodnight."

Love Mandy

I don't know about anyone else but this just melts my heart!!!

Gage's birthday dinner

Look out Babe's here we come! After the party we set out for a celebratory and warm dinner...YUMMY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAGE!!!

Gage turned 3 Sunday and I just loved seeing him grin when I wished him a Happy Birthday...ofcourse he ducked into Mama before I got my hug but I got a GRIN! We went to his party at a local farm with tractors, petting zoo, playground, hay rides...the whole nine yards. It couldn't have been more perfect for him. He was more interested in the tractors than the party for awhile but heck...it was HIS party. The kids all had a lot of fun in spite of the wild winds. All in all a great success...Happy Birthday Gagey!

Fancy Nancy

Grammy discovered Fancy Nancy while doing some library reading list work and thought of Mandy. Today after her dance, Grammy gave her a Fancy Nancy book! Let me tell you...Grammy was NOT getting out of there without reading it to her...see in the grass by the car! Grandparents are great, aren't they?

FUMCA Bloomin Bash

After our t-ball game...Mandy and Alex's amazing dances...we were off to the church's bloomin bash. What an event! They really did a great job this year. The kids had a blast, Mandy slept through the first 30 minutes (Zonked!), but Kyler, Austin, Alex and Gage took off running. First to the goats, then to the games, egg hunt...and the big one...the bounce house! It was wonderful but (as was Aunt Kelly I am sure!) I was EXHAUSTED! We only lasted a little over an hour before we headed home to just ... SIT!

A few pictures I love...

Thanks for sharing Aunt Kelly. I am blessed to have such a fabulous family and friends! These are Mandy and her best friend Livy, Kyler and the Easter bunny, Aunt Kelly, Alex, Mandy and Myself, and my friend Jennifer and I.

Being a dance mom...

Ok, lately the reality of how hard being a mom is has really hit home! Mandy has been struggling with separation anxiety since I have returned to work from spring break AND being a big girl. I know this has to be difficult as it is on me as well, but with all my love I have been trying (and praying) to get us both through it stronger. I think we have reached the upswing! Today Mandy (with her best friend Livy) got up on stage with her big girl dance class to perform! She went to sit with her girls and Mrs. Pam (no crying), followed directions (no crying), got on stage (still no crying)and even danced a little! I was so proud...the entire time we were waiting after I took her back my heart was pounding! Thanks to Aunt Kelly for staying a few minutes longer to make sure she was going to be okay and thanks to Jennifer for meeting us earlier to build up the girls and retreat after drop off together! All in all it went well and once again another proud mama moment for the day!

GO RAIDERS! WOO HOO

The kids on our team had so much fun today! The weather would have been great if it weren't for the crazy wind. They won but more importantly they paid attention, played hard and had a blast! I was very proud of Kyler today. Thanks to Grammy and Poppy for coming to cheer him on, great game!

Go Raiders

Tonight we got stomped but we were the good sports of the game. I am okay with losing but struggle with poor sportsmanship from the other team (including the coaches). Our boys are improving and Kyler did well tonight. He even spent the second half of the game playing catcher. He had a couple of good hits and had a great time...that is the most important part! We had surprise visitors for the game, Gran, Papa, Aunt Kelly, Gage, Alex, Austin and Uncle Shawn came to watch and cheer. Thanks for coming!

Gran to the rescue!

Grandma Cindy has a fever...we are blessed to have grandparents so close that they can (and are willing) to save us! Gran is going to get up WAY early to come down and watch the kids for us today. THANK YOU GRAN!