First day of school

I can't quite wrap my mind around the fact that we have a kindergartner.

I’ve had a week to digest this now (a week is enough time to have missed the bus already in case you were wondering) and really thought I would hold it together that First Day until I got a message from Our little girl’s preschool teacher the Morning Of The First Day of School saying “I know Your little girl is ready for this and God bless” that started the tears…

then there was those little legs climbing those giant bus steps that created more tears…

and then little brother who said “Sister, bye-bye, bus” and I lost it. I cried all the way to work (it’s only a mile, but still). 

I was giddy with excitement all day to pick her up and hear all about it. We waited in what has become our spot for the bus to round the corner and drop her off. Her first words off the bus: "can I go back tomorrow?!" 

She was ready. No doubt in my mind. She was up at 2:30am the first day she was so excited. But I guess I wasn't. I'd been thinking of all these fleeting moments of growth and I get very sentimental- this summer she has mastered riding a bike without training wheels, learned to swim on her own and learned to read. And her first tooth was loose just last week. These are such exciting milestones, but reminders that she is growing up- it's bittersweet. 

I want for her to love school like I did- new friends at her new school, new projects, a teacher that makes learning fun. Through tears, I read this prayer I've sent to friends with kids in school over the years, and it hit closer to home this year than in the past.

Michigan

On Mother's Day nine years ago, my husband proposed to me at the top of a lighthouse in Michigan. We try to make it back there every year and have been there during all the different seasons. We went back again on Mother's Day this year, as a family.

We still checked out our favorite waterfall

And went rock hunting

We checked out a few new things as well, like a couple of Little Free Libraries:

This year we even took in a concert at the historic Calumet Theatre.

Its definitely a different experience with two kids in tow than the romantic weekend getaway it was when we got engaged, but it's fun to share our special part of the world with our kids.

Jon found this awesome piece of drift wood

I have a similar photo of my husband and I sitting like this years ago...

There was a girl who wanted to bring this 16 foot stick home very, very badly. I have no idea where she gets these ideas...

the desserts at the lighthouse are AMAZING

climbing the stairs to the lighthouse tower

The view from the top of the lighthouse, in the exact spot my husband proposed.

And then this happened...our little girl finally decided she LOVED her little brother.

And then my Little Man said "Mama for the first time." Let me just note that this was his first word. My heart is happy. A perfect Mother's Day gift indeed.

~Angela

Simple things we enjoyed this month

Art projects... Even if our little girl thinks our trash can is part of our family.


The coziness inside our warm home; a sharp contrast to the extreme cold outside. After returning to work, I value these cuddles even more.












Sledding party with friends.








Taking monthly pictures of our little man, with a helper.





Sneaking peeks at moments like this:


And this:


And this (our little girl playing "fundraiser"):


Finding this unexpected note while out running errands. A pay it forward of sorts, the day after I paid for a stranger's parking.


And big smiles from our kids!











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