The election of our new president-elect Donald Trump has created a little bit of anxiety for our precious daughter. I just hate seeing her filled with worry. She's been fearful of things like the return of slavery (not sure where she got that from) and of course, she's heard about the "WALL" We have been reminding her that one of the benefits of living in America is that our government is a series of checks and balances, and that one person even though they are the president doesn't hold all the power. Furthermore, yesterday she asked me about ISIS. Again, not a conversation you love to have with your precious 10-year-old! I want to assure her that she is safe, but at the same time, I don't want to create false security for her as well. I talked about how they were a group of evil people who sometimes do evil things because they believe their "god" honors their sacrifice. We also talked about how our government has people like "spies" who try to seek out members of ISIS and stop them before they can hurt people. Age 10 just seems so young for the real world to come crashing in! I just want to protect her a little longer!
On a happier and lighter note, we received Lily's report card this week and had her parent-teacher conference and we could not be more pleased!
Not only is she doing well academically, but she is excelling at being an amazing human being.
Her report card read: Lily is an empathetic and compassionate member of the classroom, sought after as a friend and work partner. She fosters integrity, honesty, and fairness in all that she does, and acts responsibly in regards to the larger classroom community by her actions.
Lily for PRESIDENT!!!
One proud mama!
During her conference, which was led by Lily, Lily stated repeatedly that she was really proud of her NEAT work and that if she could improve one thing, she would do her work in cursive!:)
Friday, November 11, 2016
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
October whirlwind
I simply love October! We have so much fun as a family and this October was no exception.
We had a super fun Halloween. Lily had such a creative costume! A pretty peacock! She even won the costume contest at Awanna for having the most colorful costume. The kids tore up pop-pop's neighborhood. I think they have enough candy to last a while! She also carved an adorable kitty pumpkin
We also got to enjoy a fall festival with our cousins Kodi and Aly. The kids enjoyed jumping on the jumping pillow and walking through the corn maze. Of course, while Ashton and Lily frequently bicker and get on each other's nerves occasionally they smile and give me a sweet picture!
Lily has also had the opportunity to embrace her artistic side both at school and at a special camp at a local art studio. Her self-portrait artwork was featured in her school's blog. She was so proud of herself! I know I am really impressed plus I love how she used Guatemalan colors and patterns.
Earlier this month at the art studio she did this mixed media project and yesterday she did a sugar skull. Again absolutely talented!
Like I said last month I keep trying to keep Lily little, but time marches on. She lost her very lost tooth this month. She was very sad. She wrote the tooth fairy this endearing letter! She's been sad that the tooth fairy will no longer be coming to visit her. #growinguppains Mama on the other hand has been feeling a little torn about the tooth fairy wondering if it's time to break the magic spell, but for now the magic is still alive and well in our household.
We had a super fun Halloween. Lily had such a creative costume! A pretty peacock! She even won the costume contest at Awanna for having the most colorful costume. The kids tore up pop-pop's neighborhood. I think they have enough candy to last a while! She also carved an adorable kitty pumpkin
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| adorable! |
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| My beautiful peacock |
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| Back of costume |
We went away for the weekend to an amusement park for Ashton called diggerland, but I think Lily had a good time with our friend Rudy! They got to actually steer and drive a backhoe, a mini Land Rover, and a Work Max truck. I think she really enjoyed that! I think her favorite was the Workmax truck as it was like driving a real vehicle!
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| Lily and the backhoe! |
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| I adore their faces here |
Lily has also had the opportunity to embrace her artistic side both at school and at a special camp at a local art studio. Her self-portrait artwork was featured in her school's blog. She was so proud of herself! I know I am really impressed plus I love how she used Guatemalan colors and patterns.
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| Lily self-portrait |
Earlier this month at the art studio she did this mixed media project and yesterday she did a sugar skull. Again absolutely talented!
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| Mixed Media |
Like I said last month I keep trying to keep Lily little, but time marches on. She lost her very lost tooth this month. She was very sad. She wrote the tooth fairy this endearing letter! She's been sad that the tooth fairy will no longer be coming to visit her. #growinguppains Mama on the other hand has been feeling a little torn about the tooth fairy wondering if it's time to break the magic spell, but for now the magic is still alive and well in our household.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
I keep trying to keep her little, but life happens!
Lily is definitely growing up! Until very recently she wore a long skirt every day, but now she is beginning to embrace more of a pre-teen look. Leggings and tunics, cute slim-fitting dresses, she even found some cute jean shorts she loves!
We recently went to Charlotte's 9th birthday party and Lily tried roller skating for 2nd time and she did really well. I was so impressed and proud! She really got the hang of it.
Her body is beginning to show some signs of maturing as well. I can't believe how fast it is happening. The other day I had a really bad day so I got half a dozen crabs and I really wanted a cold beer. I told Lily, "I look forward to the day when we can go out together as adults when we can order a dozen crabs and order a beer or two. She replied, "Mommy I can't wait until I can have one of the fruity drinks you drink out of a coconut with you!" Me too little lady, me too! But not too soon okay:)
Lily continues to be a little mama. Sometimes it is really sweet and sometimes it drives us all totally crazy!!!! I guess it's just her instinct, but her poor brother cannot get a break! I am constantly telling her he doesn't need you to be his mama, just be his sister!
Funny thing tonight, our neighbor Cindy was talking with Lily and she was remarking that even though Lily is not flesh of my flesh, she has so many of my mannerisms...Cindy was like" Hey, that's a Kimmie characteristic".
Gosh, I love this girl to pieces! As much as I hate her growing up, I do hope she continues on her current path and we can be close friends when she is an adult!
We recently went to Charlotte's 9th birthday party and Lily tried roller skating for 2nd time and she did really well. I was so impressed and proud! She really got the hang of it.
Her body is beginning to show some signs of maturing as well. I can't believe how fast it is happening. The other day I had a really bad day so I got half a dozen crabs and I really wanted a cold beer. I told Lily, "I look forward to the day when we can go out together as adults when we can order a dozen crabs and order a beer or two. She replied, "Mommy I can't wait until I can have one of the fruity drinks you drink out of a coconut with you!" Me too little lady, me too! But not too soon okay:)
Lily continues to be a little mama. Sometimes it is really sweet and sometimes it drives us all totally crazy!!!! I guess it's just her instinct, but her poor brother cannot get a break! I am constantly telling her he doesn't need you to be his mama, just be his sister!
Funny thing tonight, our neighbor Cindy was talking with Lily and she was remarking that even though Lily is not flesh of my flesh, she has so many of my mannerisms...Cindy was like" Hey, that's a Kimmie characteristic".
Gosh, I love this girl to pieces! As much as I hate her growing up, I do hope she continues on her current path and we can be close friends when she is an adult!
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Toothfairy heartbreak?
I think the tooth fairy is going to be so sad today. Lily said she didn't think the tooth fairy was real....she thinks it is me! She just lost one of her last teeth today and I told her fairies are magical and when you no longer believe, they stop coming...I guess we'll see if she comes tonight!
Monday, August 22, 2016
Watch out 5th grade
Today Lily began her 5th grade year at Carroll Creek Montessori. She set an alarm to wake herself up and promptly began her day!
She reported having a good day and reported the best part of her day was seeing her friends!
She reported having a good day and reported the best part of her day was seeing her friends!
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Earring drama
Well, my greatest fear about Lily's ear piercing came true this past week. One of her ears got super infected and we ended up in the ER. Needless to say no more earrings. It's been sad and disappointing for me to say the least, but I am trying hard just to let it go. Maybe she'll decide later if she wants to try again.
Overall Lily has been a delight this summer. I have just been in awe of her! She has been respectful and very responsible. She is excellent with younger children. So sweet! At the beach, she was fearless in the waves and was so graceful! She even said to me, "That mom sometimes I wish I was a mermaid!". She decided to do swim team again, as long as she didn't have to compete. The coach said it was okay, so she will be swimming again in the fall.
I must say though with a week left til school starts she has started to have a little attitude...I think everyone is ready to go back to school!
Overall Lily has been a delight this summer. I have just been in awe of her! She has been respectful and very responsible. She is excellent with younger children. So sweet! At the beach, she was fearless in the waves and was so graceful! She even said to me, "That mom sometimes I wish I was a mermaid!". She decided to do swim team again, as long as she didn't have to compete. The coach said it was okay, so she will be swimming again in the fall.
I must say though with a week left til school starts she has started to have a little attitude...I think everyone is ready to go back to school!
Monday, August 1, 2016
Party, Party, Party
July has been a month of non-stop action! We've had lots of house guests, attended VBS, Lily enjoyed sewing camp and made a ton of cool things, including a cute skirt, a bedside storage unit, and a great reversible bag. We also took a road trip to Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement with the O'Masta clan and cousin Hannah. The girls had a good time together.
We just returned from a week-long road trip from Stoddard New Hampshire where along the way, we enjoyed going into a coal mine, visiting the Yankee Candle Flagship store and making our own Yankee sand candles, swimming, kayaking, and playing in an amazing lake up in New Hampshire, and the kids all-time favorite, visiting the Pez factory in CT. Highlights from the trip included picking wild blueberries and helping Ms. Catherine make a homemade Blueberry pie and Lily trying kayaking for the first time.
Also in mid-July, Lily was finally able to take out her starter earrings, with a little drama, but after several attempts, she got finally got both pairs out!
Also, Lily Bean and I have been enjoying geocaching. She has gotten really good at it! She has a "geo-sense" that her mama definitely does not have! She is always finding the most difficult ones even though most of us have already given up in surrender! We've enjoyed sharing our hobby with our friends this summer!
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| Girl cousins! |
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| The whole clan! |
We just returned from a week-long road trip from Stoddard New Hampshire where along the way, we enjoyed going into a coal mine, visiting the Yankee Candle Flagship store and making our own Yankee sand candles, swimming, kayaking, and playing in an amazing lake up in New Hampshire, and the kids all-time favorite, visiting the Pez factory in CT. Highlights from the trip included picking wild blueberries and helping Ms. Catherine make a homemade Blueberry pie and Lily trying kayaking for the first time.
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| Making a sand candle |
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| Lily Kayaking |
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| Blueberry pie |
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| Our little Pez! |
Also, Lily Bean and I have been enjoying geocaching. She has gotten really good at it! She has a "geo-sense" that her mama definitely does not have! She is always finding the most difficult ones even though most of us have already given up in surrender! We've enjoyed sharing our hobby with our friends this summer!
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| Finding Geocaches with the cousins |
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