first day again

I really do feel like I was just posting last year's first day of school pictures!  Unbelievable.  Rowan is in the older preschool class this year, and Fletcher is now in kindergarten (*sniff*).  It's been a strange few days not having him around for most of the day, and I just constantly wonder at how he's faring at school.  He told me on the first day that he was worried about school.  When I asked him for more specifics, he told me, "Well, I'm just a worrier."  I explained that it's the mama's job to worry, not the boy's job.  But he's wired in a similar way, so it's probably in his DNA to worry.  Rowan was just excited, and ran into school happily when we got there.  Fletcher had some tears for the first time on a first day.  And it broke my heart.  Made me nearly vow to homeschool him on the spot.  But then reason got the best of me, and so I kissed him, told him he'd have a great day, and walked away from him with my own tears.

Fletcher wants to be a scientist when he grows up, while ALSO working in the Army so that he can see Papa more.  I've tried to explain that Papa will be retired by the time he's old enough, but why crush his dreams?  Rowan wants to be the voice of a Disney princess.  Yes, she wants to sing songs that are in "Frozen" and other movies.  Oy.  I just tell her it will take lots of practice, and wait for the next career in her lineup.  Last week she wanted to be an artist.

And as for me, I've been slowly working on adding new things to my shop, so now that I have a little more time, I'll focus on that!  Hope all you mamas and your kiddos out there had a positive first day of school.

tiny dancer

This girl of mine, she's ALL girl.  Except when she's picking up caterpillars and begging to go on camping trips (of course those things are for girls, too; just adhering to old gender stereotypes here like all good mothers should...).  Brian's parents got her a little pink vanity for her birthday, and she really got into getting ready for her dance recital with it!  Her costume was a 4 year old girl's dream, purple velvet with swaths of swirly pink and purple tulle.  And getting up on stage and performing?  Let's just say she wasn't one of the shy ones.  

 That's her on the far left.  One of the littler ones in her class, but not at all hindered by that!

 She really disliked having her bangs disappear back into a high ballerina bun, and pronounced, "I look like a boy."  Ha!  Far from it, little girl, far from it.

I know she might enjoy dance for years to come, or decide to ditch it in a year for judo or karate or whatever.  So I'll enjoy this slice of girly life while I can.  And it all takes me back to when I was a tiny dancer with my friends!

That would be me, on the far right.  The one that looks like Fletcher in braids.  So blessed to say that these two friends that I first became close to in school and dance are still my best friends today.  It's fun to watch your daughter tread familiar ground that you enjoyed so much as a child!  Here's hoping she has sweet memories of these days, too.

last day

 Last Friday was the last day of school for Fletcher and Rowan.  Yessss, very very early.  It's hitting me now just how early.  That's ok.  We like our adventures and summer trips, so we're pretty excited about all the summer has to hold.

Fletcher is consistant from the beginning of the year in what he wants to be when he grows up.  He made me guess, and when I was guessing all the wrong answers, he said, "I'll give you a hint.  They drive Army tanks."  Ohhhh, an Army guy!  Just don't let him know that Brian has never driven a tank himself... He's always been in the passenger seat, ha!  

Rowan changed things up from when she said she wanted to be a banjo player and drive a car.  She said she wanted to be a regular Mama that stitches (*tears*).  I love that our kiddos want to be exactly like us when they grow up.  I'm relishing it now, because next year it could be astronauts or jockeys.  You just never know with my kids.

And here's a flash back to the beginning of the school year.

Pretty sure Fletcher grew a foot taller!  And Rowan may have, too.  Next stop, kindergarten for Fletcher and the older preschool class for Rowan.  Here's hoping for a long lazy summer with lots of time to enjoy these kiddos while they're still "little kids."

Four

Yesterday was Rowan's birthday.  She's 4 years old!  How does this happen so quickly?  One minute they are tiny babes in my arms, and the next minute they are blowing out four candles on their birthday cake.  I remember when Fletcher was born, my mother-in-law warned me.  She told me that one day you'll be holding your son in your arms, and the next day you'll be holding your son's son.  I can see now how those years can slip through your fingers so quickly.  It makes my head spin to think how the years have flown since Fletcher was born!

 We had a small party for Rowan, and invited family friends instead of "school friends."  I just love those types of parties so much.  The kind where you look around and don't have to wonder what that kid's name is, or passing out goodie bags full of candy after big helpings of cake and ice cream.  We didn't make the children gather around to watch Rowan open the presents.  I didn't have games planned, and there were no official activities.   I didn't even gather everyone to watch her blow out the candles, I just brought out the cake and started singing, and everyone just joined in.  It was relaxed, and fun for everyone.  I wish I could get away with these kind of parties for the rest of their childhood!  Maybe I can, maybe I can.

Rowan let me take a few pictures of her on her birthday yesterday.  I bribed her with promises to pick as many purple iris as her little heart desired.

 She's a spunky one, this girl.  She gives me a run for my money every day, and challenges nearly everything I say.  She's a limit pusher.  Her nickname is "Cheeky" for those reasons.  She adores flowers, especially the purple hued variety.  Picking weedy bouquets is her favorite.  She loves to dress up, preferably as a princess.  She loves to wear dresses, but is just fine with a hand-me-down Star Wars shirt.  Her favorite foods include pizza, every kind of fruit, yogurt, and pasta with meatballs.  She tolerates most vegetables, but really dislikes carrots.  She likes broccoli a lot.  She much prefers almond milk to cow's milk.  Purple is her favorite color, but pink and yellow are pretty nice.  She colors and paints the most beautiful pictures.  She draws me A LOT.  She begs me to let her stitch with me every time.  She frustrates Fletcher to no end, but he also loves her, and I'm always so impressed with how well they can play together.  Sometimes.  She prefers Mama to read her nighttime books and tuck her into bed, but that could change any day now.   She loves to help in the kitchen, whether I'm cooking, baking, or just cleaning up.  She loves makeup, nail polish, and jewelry, but will let a caterpillar crawl up her arm, dig in the dirt, and kick a ball around.  She is constantly humming and singing (currently the Frozen soundtrack- oy!) and the day she goes to ballet/tap class is her favorite day of the week.  She is begging for a puppy, but would be happy (for now) with a fish that she could name "Precious Smart Leafy Eats."  She's the best neck hugger around, and when she smiles at you it's like the clouds parting on a rainy day.

 She's my best girl.

last snow (?)

It's that time of year when it is 80 degrees one day, and then the very next it freezes and snows.  I know it can be maddening for some (especially for those where the snow sticks!) but I just thought it was so pretty to see the snow against all the blossoms here!  I know, I'm crazy.  I think seeing that the rest of the week's forecast calls for 60s helps. Rowan and I ran out with my camera to catch the what just may be the last snow of Spring.  Rowan excitedly exclaimed, "I'm going to make snow angels!!"  But although she checked often throughout the day, the snow never did stick.  She was a little bummed.  Until I pointed out all the violets she could pick and bring inside.  Nothing cheers my girl up like a freshly picked bouquet!

Soccer practice was cancelled, pajamas were left on, the wood stove was reawakened, and hot cocoa made a reappearance.  But today it is sunny, and Spring seems promising.

the ball

Over the weekend, Brian's Army base hosted a Father Daughter Ball.  Knowing Rowan's intense love for pretty dresses and dancing, we knew she'd love to go.  I actually thought it was all a little silly, all this fuss for a 3 year old.  But then Brian told me that the idea behind these balls is for the little girls to understand the way they should be treated by the men in their future lives.  Now that's an idea I can get behind!  We waited to tell Rowan about the ball a week before, and then made a calendar for her to cross off the days.  She has never, and I mean NEVER been more excited for anything!  It was so sweet watching her and Brian together, getting ready and posing for pictures.  Brian and Rowan even picked out that dress together when we were in Chicago.  It's a good thing for my purple-sparkle-loving girl that I wasn't with them at the time, but as it turns out, it did look pretty on her.  Even if it's not my cup of tea, it's definitely hers!

And I could not narrow down the pictures any more than this, so forgive me for the self-indulgent amount of pictures.

 

 She looked quite sweet, and I do believe that husband of mine gets more and more handsome each year that passes.

Fletcher and I had our own Mama-boy date.  We went to see the Lego Movie (my first time, his second) and then went out to dinner together.  It was a treasure for me to spend time alone with him, hearing his thought and conversations uninterrupted by Rowan.

I look at these two kiddos and realize just how good we've got it.  One day I won't have to remind myself daily of the blessings in my life, but for now, these gentle reminders are doing my heart so good.