When she's 100 years old...

Isabelle recently celebrated her 100th day of school.  I remember her saying she was doing something special that day but I went on about our busy life and filed it away.  

Then this past week, we went to Isabelle's school for her parent teacher conference.  As we walked to her class she said, "Oh mom I'm so excited for you to see it!" I wasn't sure what she was talking about but as we approached the bulletin board outside her classroom, Isabelle started laughing.  She said, Oh mom, you're going to think its so funny!"  

She then motioned for me to look up at the board of all her classmates pictures and a sign that read, "When we are 100"

As I glanced up at the pictures I saw that 25 1st graders had been transformed into centenarians.  And Isabelle was right, I did laugh, and it was funny.  Not only are the items on Isabelle's bucket list super cute, but for 100 years-old I think she looks pretty good too!

After heading into her classroom we got to spent a while visiting stations to see all about the things she's learning and what she loves about her class.  We got to try on their special "reading glasses" and go to the carpet where they read.  

Madelyn was a huge fan too.  I think she's ready already to be in first grade.  She followed Isabelle around like her shadow and did everything Isabelle did.

It was a fun conference as we got a sneak peak into Isabelle's life as a first grader.  And since I know I'll be long gone when Isabelle turns 100, it was fun(ny) to see just how she'll look in 93 years.

Until next time,

Angie

A good good dad

There are many moments that I look at Jarrett and give thanks that I get to share my life with him. He is a wonderful partner, who works hard not only to provide for our family but jumps in where ever and when ever he can at home to help keep the train on the tracks.  He's a great father who cherishes moments with each of the kids when ever he can.  I think his only wish, which might echo the wishes of many fathers, was to have more time to spend with the kids.  If only the bills and work wouldn't require so much time.

Last night Madelyn had been feeling yucky all day and as night approached we decided she was getting worse rather than better.  When we decided (actually she decided by getting herself dressed and said "take me to the doctor") that we should take her in, I thought I'd probably be the one to go.  Instead Jarrett said, "Madelyn, daddy will take you to the doctor okay?"  Because I have a huge test coming up on Tuesday in my class, Jarrett said I could stay home and study and he would take her.  Even though the mountain of work waiting for him continues to reach new peaks, he put my needs above his own.  He's such a great dad.  

Dad takes the time to do what he can with each of the kids.  Giving Isabelle's back rides, reading at night with her and helps to comb her hair after she showers.  While he can't yet do a braid or a bun, he has mastered the ponytail and if you ask him, "Growing up with only brothers, that is a huge feat!"  

And then there's all the catch he plays with the boys, the extra tosses as he gets home from work, before even carrying his stuff into the house, he stops and soaks up the moments he knows are too few and quickly fleeting.

And then there's all the stuff he does for me.  The stops at the store on the way home to grab the extra groceries I forgot, the driving me to class and picking me up from work.  He call it the Jarrett's free taxi cab service.  I pay him with thank yous.  

When I was 15 and he was 16 we started dating and while I knew I loved the guy I was dating for his honest, hard-working and caring personality, little did I know I was going to get to marry a guy who would in my mind, become the best dad and the greatest life-partner.  

It isn't often enough I give him the credit he deserves or publicly praise him for all he does.  He honestly doesn't ask for or even want this I'm sure.  I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you again.  Thanks for all you do for me, the kids, for us.  We are lucky to have you dad.

Until next time,

Angie

Daddy Daughter(s) Dance...

A couple of Friday nights ago Dad took his daughters to the Daddy Daughter Dance at our church.  We surprised the girls and told them about it right after we had dinner. Isabelle screamed with excitement and yelled for Madelyn to go get a pretty dress on.  They both got dolled up and were thrilled they got to go with Dad.  Here are a few photos of them getting ready to walk out of the door!

They were gone only about an hour but they came home like they had just spent the entire night at the ball.  They came home as a prince and two princesses complete with flowers, the crown and of course balloons.  

And while I didn't get to go, Dad shared a few pictures of the secret fun they had at the dance.   Sure looks like a lot of fun to me. 

I'm so happy Jarrett got to spend some quality time with his girls.  I think they each adore their dad and cherish the one on one time they get to have. 

Until next time,

Angie

Sweet Seven...Isabelle's Golden Birthday

Two weeks ago we celebrated our sweet Isabelle's golden birthday.  We tried to make her birthday extra special this year as you only get one golden birthday in your life.  We started the celebrations a few weeks before her birthday when we took her to Disney's on Ice performance.  It was a hit and she loved it!

Then we planned a My Little Pony party for her complete with a Pinkie Pie piñata and My Little Pony cupcakes.  She was able to have a few friends over and we played games, did a scavenger hunt, had pizza and cake.  She thought it was the best time ever.

On her actual birthday we had a low key evening where we celebrated her birth as our family.   As I got her ready for school on the morning of her birthday I told her how special our first time meeting her was and how the nurses talked about how beautiful of a baby she was.  I remember the first moment I saw her, I felt love.  I wanted nothing more than to protect her, love her and give her the best life I could... from the moment my eyes met hers.

It's hard for me to believe that our precious little Belle is now 7.  I remember being 7 and thinking it was a great age.  I see life now through Isabelle's eyes and while she has grown she continues to be the loving, kind-hearted, excited-for-life girl she has always been.  She loves life, is eager to learn, spreads kindness like confetti and she always sees the best in others.

She has brought so much joy and love to our lives and I give thanks each day we were picked to be her parents.  I dream about and wonder what she will be like as an adult, and I pray I get to watch her become a mother, because I know she will be wonderful.

Some of the things I love most about Isabelle is how excited she gets about the simple things in life.  Like this morning when she looked out at the frost on the grass and shouted, "Jack Frost came to the grass last night"  Her eyes light up and her excitement spreads throughout her whole body.  I love how she loves her sister and tries to be a leader, a teacher and a role model for Madelyn.  She plays so well with her and it is clear Madelyn is infatuated with how amazing her big sister is.  I love how Isabelle never looks at the negative in a situation or the bad in others.  She loves everyone and sees everyone for their best... I hope she keeps that perspective forever.  One other thing I love so much about Isabelle is how she thinks about and loves to show her love for us.  Just last week, she spend most of her hours after school working on making special valentines for everyone in her family.  She took the time to make each of us a beautiful personalized picture and wrote a special note to each of us to tell us how much we are loved by her.  Her kindness and care of others is truly special.

I seem to always say this but each year goes by faster and I want time to slow down and with Isabelle's case I feel no differently.  I want to bottle up her innocence, savor her loving personality and foster her confidence, determination and drive with each passing day.  Mostly I want her always to know how deeply she is loved, how much she was and will always be wanted, and how big of a gift she is to us and to this world.

Happy 7th GOLDEN birthday our precious Isabelle.  We love you more than you'll ever dream possible.

Mom and Dad

She surprises me...

Tonight as most nights are, we race home from work, throw together supper as quickly as we can, eat dinner as a family and go about our nights to get the tasks done before it gets too late.

Tonight Jarrett was out picking up the three big kids while Madelyn helped me make dinner and help set the table.  I grabbed what I thought was a stack of 6 paper plates (again a short cut to make life easier) and handed it to Madelyn to help set the table.  She enjoys helping these days and it is such a delight to not be greeted with groans and complaints when you ask a child to help you.  Madelyn willingly grabbed the plates and headed toward the table to set it.  I continued on making dinner and soon Madelyn appeared at my side, "Here mom, we don't need these." she said as she handed me back two extra plates.  I thought, she must have forgotten to set the small table for her and Isabelle and I looked over to the table to see she had set the big table with 4 and low and behold she also had two plates on the small table.  I paused for a moment to realize that girlfriend (all of 2 years old) knew how to count out six plates and put the out for each of us.  Jarrett came in at that time and saw me looking in awe.  He said, "What's wrong?"  And I explained Madelyn just corrected me by counting out 6 plates when I thought I had given her 6 plates.  He smiled and said, "she's smart." I guess so I responded.

Sometimes she surprises me.  As we sat down to eat dinner I was still thinking about it, and as I looked over at her I saw that she still had her shirt on backwards from this morning when she insisted on wearing her shirt backwards.  While she might be a smarty 2-year old, she's still a 2 year old and well I'll let the picture below speak for itself!

Man do we love her.

Until next time,
Angie

8 years ago...

Last week this picture popped up on my Facebook account as something I posted 8 years ago.  

In some ways 8 years ago seems like yesterday and then again it seems like so long ago and that so much has happened.

Even though we've all grown and changed, this will always remain one of my happiness days.

Weren't they so little and cute?  So much has changed. :-)

Until next time,

Angie

Belle's First Lost Tooth

This week was a big one for our biggest girl.  She (finally) lost her first tooth and boy was she excited!  She has been talking about how all her friends and almost everyone in her class has lost a tooth and yet she didn't even have one tooth that was loose.

And then came last Sunday night.  She came running into the kitchen and said, "Mom I finally have a loose tooth!" as she opened up her mouth to show me a VERY loose front tooth.  I said, Oh wow, that is loose Isabelle, I bet you will lose that before your birthday.

She ran around the house showing everyone her tooth and Madelyn followed her saying, "Oh Isabelle I'm sorry you have an ouwie tooth."  

Less than an hour later we sat down to eat dinner, Isabelle took a bite of her mash potatoes and came running... "MOM IT CAME OUT! LOOK!"  With a smile from ear to ear she was thrilled to hold her tiny baby tooth in her hand.

I'm so glad her first experience loosing her tooth was so positive.  After she lost her tooth she had to facetime with each of the grandparents to share the exciting news and then she insisted on going to bed.  This was the first time in a long time she didn't fight us to go to sleep.  As I was getting ready to tuck her into bed she said, "Oh mom, I can't wait to see what the tooth fairy brings me tonight. My friend Caden at school told me that when you lose your first tooth you get a whole bunch of presents.  Maybe I'll get a new Paw Patrol toothbrush and an LOL doll and MONEY!"  

Seriously as she was telling me all the items on her dream list from the tooth fairy, my mind was racing.  What kind of tooth fairy did she think came to our house.  I told her to enjoy her dreams and sleep well.  As I shut her door, I told her, "Honey I remember when that tooth came in and I can't believe you are now getting your first adult tooth.  Promise me you aren't going to grow up too fast."  

She said, "Don't worry Mom, I will always stay with you no matter how big I get."  

The excitement and anticipation Isabelle had that day was so much fun to be around.  She is truly so filled with love and gets so much joy out of life.  We are truly blessed to have her as our daughter.

Until next time,

Angie

Oh and incase you were wondering the tooth fairy didn't disappoint her... she got a My Little Pony toothbrush and an LOL doll to which the boys complained, "Geeze, we never got anything like that." I told them her tooth fairy must have upgraded their day job since they lost their first tooth, although we are pretty sure from here on out the tooth fairy only brings quarters.