sweet dreams

I think my two big kids are missing each other more than they are expressing. Yesterday they decided they were going to sleep together. Both of them up on Braxton's top bunk (twin size).
"We will go to sleep mom. When I tell Adelle to close her eyes she just does," Braxton assured me.
Jeff and I peeked on them before we went to bed last night. Aren't they stinkin' cute! Our hearts melted. Then Jeff grabbed the camera and they miraculously stayed asleep while the flashes were flying.
I'm grateful for their friendship. I hope they always are so close. It is such a blessing to have siblings.

I've got Sunshine.....

on a cloudy day.
When it's cold outside.
I've got the month of May.
..................................
My Girl.

Adelle has never been as dependent on me as Braxton "was!"
Our lives are changing.
We don't have our Brax at home with us all day.
We enjoy more of each other now.
When Adelle used to be with her brother. Now she is with me.
She helps me with everything. Cooking, cleaning, playing with Emmett.
We read together and she gets to pick out the books every time.
We play what she wants to play.
We go on walks and play I Spy.
We dance. A lot!
We stomp in puddles.
And she naps in my bed. Because she wants to and that's all it takes.

Adelle has such a special heart. She is so real. I think that is my favorite thing about her. She messes up, sometimes, but she doesn't judge herself. She say's sorry, and get's over it. I hope she never looses that.
She is so kind to her brothers. She loves them so much and always tries to meet their needs. She is Braxton's gofer and Emmett's little mommy.
She has so much personality.
My favorite line that I hear all the time from her lately, "ugh! my panties are in my bum again!"
She only likes to wear dresses.
She always tells Brax, "see, don't I look pretty" after she gets dressed.
She loves to walk her big brother to school and play with his big friends.
Her favorite color is blue. (?)
She is genuinely very kind.

I am so blessed to have this little spirit in our family. I am grateful for the sweet girl that she is and for the beautiful woman she will become.
Lately I have been pondering life, growing up, and the precious gift of time. I know Adelle will face challenges and I know, as a woman, that her identity will be questioned and at times she will have to stand alone. I am grateful to love her. I am grateful for this chance that I get to tell her everyday that she is beautiful and smart and funny and silly and special and most importantly that she is a Daughter of God,
and she is
My Girl.

Braxton's perspective

• "So I have a friend at school and he can't see so he reads braille."
• "Today I got to hold the flag when we all said the Pledge of Allegiance."
• "I got a prize for listening to my teacher and sitting quietly."
• "My friend with the orange shirt, well his name is Ashton, I remembered."
• "There is this boy named ____________ and he fights with the other kids."
• "Today we learned about the Jog-a-Thon and mom, I am going to win the canoe!"

That is the most recent news I've gotten from my little guy. It's funny because after school we walk home and I try and talk to him and he wants to say nothing. Then throughout the day/week little blurbs come out. I'm learning to be a better listener and to be available to listen at all times, not just when I am asking the questions.

So far he has been in school two Monday's and on each Monday he has came home, excited to play outside and has stepped on a bee. So that leaves for a swollen foot Tuesday and Wednesday. Same foot and everything. Interestingly enough the foot hurts way worse at home than it does at school.

We walk to school with the neighbor boys, Fisher and Charly. They are cousins and both in Kindergarten. Today on the way to school we passed a guardian of some sort who was dropping off a little boy. Both of them completely reeked of marijuana. The kids even said, "what is that smell?" No comment.

Braxton is loving school. He already knows the whole Pledge of Allegiance. Totally blew my mind today when he told me about holding the flag I asked him what he said when he held the flag and he totally spilled out the whole thing (the end was a little staggered). That impressed me.

Mrs. Howell is really great. We are looking forward to getting more of the scoop at Open House this week!

Miss Adelle

bye bye smoochers

First Day of Preschool Picture

Miss Adelle had her first day of Preschool today.
Have you ever seen this movie? Well, that is how we got Adelle's name. Before we had even conceived her we watched this movie and fell in love with Miss Adele, played by Charlize Theron.
We decided that night that if we ever had a daughter her name would be Adelle and we would call her Miss Adelle. So, we do. Sometimes.
She was not named after Adele, even though she rocks!

Back to preschool. Adelle's preschool is a cooperative operation with 6 different moms of 3 and 4 year old's. We got together and came up with Tuesday to be Preschool. We rotate from house to house each week. Each of us taking a turn teaching. One Thursday a month we have a field trip.

Today was the first day for Adelle. She was really excited because last night she got a blessing from her dad, just like Braxton did a couple weeks ago. She was so excited and I don't think I will ever forget the look on her face as Jeff was blessing her. I took a mental picture. Which means I was peaking.
Last night her and I got her school bag all packed. Jeff's mom sent her this little lunch pail that she is holding in the picture. Since she doesn't take a lunch we use it to store her supplies: glue, crayons, scissors....
She still has her lipstick and lotion in the bottom pocket but I reminded her that the bottom pocket doesn't get opened during Preschool. She just is so grown-up. She insisted that the lipstick and lotion had to stay in her bag.

Adelle had a great day. Braxton gave her a nice little pep talk all about Preschool last night. He told her she would have fun and there would be lots of toys. He kept on repeating, "wow, I just can't believe Adelle is going to Preschool already," grandfather style. Cracked me up. Adelle listened half way. This girl doesn't get nervous. She pretty much loves everyone and is comfortable in any situation. She is the youngest in the class but I convinced the other parents that she is 3 going on 13. That can be good and bad I guess but it's the truth.

When I took Adelle into school today Emmett wanted to stay. Adelle wrote her name with her teachers help and then hung it on the board. I told her it was time for mommy and Emmett to leave and she goes, "ok, bye, love you mom. Love you M." That was it.

I drove home with Emmett and when I turned off the car he started to cry. It was as if he was saying, " I don't want to be at home without my sis!" I told him Kate was coming over to go for a walk and the tears stopped. My sister and my niece came here and we put the munchkins in the double stroller and hit the hills. We ended up at a park and the cousins got to play. They love each other like brother and sister.

When I went to get Adelle she was still working on some gluing. The teacher said, "she was so good but so serious." I thought it was funny since I consider Braxton to be the serious one. I think Adelle will just take some warming up. But, Jen if you are reading this, we all know I am not a goof ball so maybe my kids have the same serious look all the time that I have? I don't know?

Adelle told me all about school. They learned about apples and talked about the letter A. They made applesauce and put cinnamon in it. They read a story and did criss-cross applesauce. She told me they glued and cut.

I think we are all really going to love Tuesdays. I can't wait for my turn to teach!

All is well

• It's Friday
• Jeff is on a really good job! His business is going full swing! The website is almost done and that is when I will advertise him more :)
  
• We went to the Temple last night and it was a much needed peace I was craving
• Braxton's school added a third Kindergarten Teacher!! Yes! His class size will shrink dramatically next week
• The sun is shining
• My new blog is up! Please become a follower! There is something in it for you coming up as soon as I understand better how to use my button. Check it out here: Thishealthyhomemaker.blogspot.com
  
• Emmett picks up the dog poop now. Not really but he wishes. Today while playing outside Adelle noticed poop and pointed it out to me. Before I could do anything about it Emmett had came inside, gotten a plastic bag, and was back outside ready to clean up the mess. What a smart little boy. He's been watching his brother do this chore for many weeks. Apparently in anticipation for when he is old enough to do it. NOT YET!!
  

Kindergarten Update

Today is day 4 of Kindergarten. I'm not sold on it yet but I am trying to put aside my mother bear instincts and give the school and the teacher the chance they deserve.

Monday was tough. I dropped him off and then distracted myself by walking with a friend up to my church to play volleyball with some other mommies. That was a good choice on my part because it totally preoccupied my time.
My mother in law texted me that day to see how I was doing. It was much needed. How did she know to do that? She must be a mom or something.
My mom has been sending me daily emails reminding me that it's all going to be o.k. You always need your mom.

After school on Monday the kids were happy to have Braxton home and they were all playing in the backyard when Braxton stepped on a bee, swelling up his foot for the next 2 days. That sure didn't make things any easier.

Tuesday I went to the PTO meeting hoping to convince myself that this is real and I want to be involved. I was shocked that there were only 8 of us there and a little discouraged. I met some nice moms and talked with the Principal who has been there for 24 years. That was encouraging. Maybe I should teach him to hang out in the Principals office. She's a really great lady.

Wednesday has been the best day so far. I picked him up and he actually had something to tell me. The other days he came home really quiet and a little out of it which concerned me. I think there is just so much to take in and he's a little overwhelmed. Wednesday though he told me that his foot didn't hurt anymore and that they played with blocks. He also told me that he went to the bathroom that day so that was good.

So to all of you experts out there. Is the first week always easy? I am frustrated. Braxton is reading. He comes home from school and tells me, "mom, I don't even get to read at school." So far all the work they have done that I know about is coloring pages and tracing letters. Are they just assessing where everyone is at? I tell myself this is all part of the first couple weeks and then hopefully he will be more challenged. I know we were spoiled at preschool but I am afraid that he won't get noticed by the teacher. I want him to feel like he has a place there and right now I feel like he is just a number. There are 30 kids in his class. Absolutely insane! I did sign up to help in the classroom so I am not just complaining, I plan to help out and hopefully other parents will see the need as well.

Braxton is doing great. He loves going. He has made a couple friends who actually live in the neighborhood so we get to walk to school with them too. He made a basket in the basketball hoop at recess on the first day so that was a huge thing for him. Good way to start the year.

lessons on Faith

Braxton's goal to read every day

Adelle's goal to do better at sharing
Notice how Adelle wrote her own name
Notice how Adelle drew her own people
Notice how Adelle drew her "baby sister???????"

Today was a hard day. I'm just throwing that out there so that all y'all know that I have a bad day once in a while too.
Change is hard. I missed Braxton. I missed his questions and the sweet way he plays with his brother and sister. I missed his help in distracting and entertaining the little ones. I missed his excitement and enthusiasm. Emmett is teething and was difficult. He didn't want to nap, he'd rather scream apparently. Adelle and Braxton bickered at each other instead of their usual playing together. Adelle had an accident (this rarely happens). Jeff worked until after 8:00pm. blah blah blah blah....
By the time 7:00pm finally hit and Emmett was safely tucked in bed, actually asleep, the last thing I wanted to do was sit down and spend quality time with my kids. I felt too wiped out and my nerves were had. I had to act on faith.
On Monday nights in our family we have Family Home Evening. Basically we hang out, spend time together and we throw in a spiritual message and sing a song. It's something we just do, on Mondays. It is part of our routine and the kids know it. It's something that our Church really encourages us to do and Jeff and I have found that by doing so we are more united as a family.
Tonight it took a lot of faith on my part. I didn't want to do it. I wanted to get my kids to bed early so that I could have a break! But I knew I needed too and I knew that it would somehow bless me and/or my family.
I told Braxton and Adelle that it was time for Family Home Evening and they cheered. Then we sat on the floor in a triangle and I asked Adelle if she would choose a song to sing. She picked, Families Can Be Together Forever. Singing this song with my two sweet children immediately changed my mood and my perspective from lousy to blessed. After that I said a prayer and then I taught a lesson that I got from a friends blog on goal setting. We all drew pictures of ourselves and then wrote down one goal that we wanted to work on during this school year. Braxton is really into reading and for his goal he choose "read every day." Adelle is sweet and simple and when I asked her what she wanted to be better at she said, "I'm going to do better at sharing." I did not lead her to this answer. This was all her and I was so impressed. She is already a good sharer but I liked that she recognizes the importance of sharing.
At the end of the lesson we always open up the floor and ask if anyone has anything they would like to add to the lesson. At this question Braxton responded with the sweetest, purest, testimony. I turned over my goal picture and started scribbling notes as fast as I could as he spoke:

"I have something to say. So I know we should keep our bodies clean and always dress modestly. And I really love my family a lot. I love mom and dad and Adelle and Emmett and Sofie. And do you guys know who you should love the very most? Anyone? Jesus. Right mom? And I just really know we should talk nice and play nice and don't hit anybody or kick or pinch. And you shouldn't say you can't do this, you're too little. You should just say, come on and give it a try. That's it. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

And that, today, along with my little girls song, was my much needed lesson on faith.