So that's what a meet season's like!

Okay. Okay. I know, I know!  I haven't blogged in months.  I have been a little preoccupied.  It's something called gymnastic meet season.  I feel like for the past couple of months I have been a uniform washing, hair rolling, pep talking chauffeur.  It has been so stressful but so much fun.  Yesterday was the last meet of the season and with 24 hours to reflect upon everything that has happened, I have a ton to say.  I have decided it is best to put all my thoughts in a letter to our sweetest girl.

Dear Amelia Rose,
       You did it!  You finished your very first competitive gymnastic season.  It seems crazy to think where you were just a year ago.  I remember when your dad and I were hoping you could just climb to the top of that rope. And then yesterday, you go and win "the biggest trophy you have ever seen."  You learned so much during your first year, Amelia.  You learned to be away from us for 3 and half hours at a time.  You learned to make new friends and depend on your coaches for help.  You learned to win and more importantly, you learned to lose. You learned some days were easy and some days were not.  You learned hard work equals success.  All of these lessons are so important and I'm glad you picked a sport that teaches these.
       You are 6, for Pete's sake!  How can you do all that you do?  Let me be honest.  You were not the gymnast who was first in line at practice; you would always hang in the back.  You were not the kid to raise your hand and ask a question; you only spoke up when you were spoken to.  You were not the quickest; but you did not cut corners.  You weren't even the loudest or the flashiest.  But you were respectful.  You were kind and hard working.  You were patient and teachable.  You were honest and you were focused.  You were determined and you were, in my eyes, perfect.  I must say I am in awe of you.
       So yes, Mom and Dad are so proud of all that you have accomplished this year.  But we are more proud in the way that you accomplished it.  I'm so lucky that I get to learn from you for the rest of my life.  I'm sure you have so much more to teach me.  So be proud of yourself, Amelia!  It's okay to smile and say "I did it!"  Know that Mom and Dad love you very much and can't wait to see what you do next.  I know it will be amazing!

Lots of love,
Mama

      

My Little Firecracker

I am constantly wondering if I am making the right choices as a mom.  This was especially difficult when trying to evaluate Amelia with her little gymnastic "career."  During the summer, she made the team which included much more time away from Mom and Dad, many more hours in the gym, and alot of money;)  Drew and I just kept saying, "She's only 5...Can she handle all of this and school?"  Well, our questions were soon answered and everything has worked out perfectly.  I mean there are sacrifices; like no holidays from school, missed play dates and weekends full of travel for competitions.  But we are so proud that we have encouraged her to participate in a sport that has been able to teach her so much.  She has made new friends and her coaches are such great, positive role models.

Her first competition was this past weekend.  She was a nervous wreck.  We got up at 4 am and drove to Northern Kentucky.  It was cold, she was tired and I was sick.  Not a fun day....so I thought! And then it began!  She had an awesome day!

 Amelia walked away with 3, yes 3 medals and a 3rd place All Around trophy; her first trophy, I might add!

After bath time, snuggle time, and a recap conversation that night, Amelia was having trouble falling asleep.  She just kept reliving the day.  I left the room and started to hear her cry.  I walked back in and asked her why she was upset.  Her reply?...."I just don't want this day to end, Mom."

 I was able to rest easy on Sunday night....Drew and I had totally and completely made the right decision.

ABCs ...Maddox style

How cute is this?

You is smart.....

I reluctantly watched The Help last week.  I say reluctantly because every time I watch a movie that "everyone" is talking about, I end up hating it.  But......I must say I loved it; especially when Aibileen says to Mae Mobley, "You is smart.  You is kind.  You is important."  I thought about that scene over and over.  They were such perfect words to say to a little girl.  So needless to say, I knew I wanted to do something like that for Amelia.  You see, our sweet Amelia is very shy.  She is a perfectionist and a people pleaser, and I have heard her say on more than one occasion, "I can't."   I thought it would be so great for her to know just how Drew and I felt about her.  I sat down and wrote some adjectives to describe her and then I began taping them on the ceiling above her bed.  They were just handwritten on note cards and honestly I wasn't pleased with how they turned out.

But I still couldn't wait to show Amelia when she came home from school.   She jumped up on her bed, read the words and then said she wanted a snack.  Well okay, then...she's not impressed.  As I tucked her in last night, she looked up and read a few more of the words.  She said, "Mom, do you really think I'm brave?"  I said, "Absolutely."  She gave me a kiss, rolled over and then fell asleep.

This morning started Fall Break so I got to sleep until 6:45.  I woke up but decided to stay and  snuggle a few more minutes in my warm bed before getting up.  And then,  I heard the sweetest little voice say," I am talented. I am smart. I am loved."  I had tears in my eyes and went to her room to read the rest of the words with her.

 So yes, it was a rushed project.  I used lined notecards and a black marker that was just about dry.  It was handwritten and unevenly spaced.  And to be honest, I can't be sure all the words were spelled correctly;)    

Did it matter?  Not one bit.  Was it worth it?  You have no idea.

It's Potty Time

It's that time!  No more diapers.  I can honestly say I'm tired of changing diapers. So....we bought Maddox a brand new potty this week.  It sings when you pee pee in it. (genius, right?)  Obviously, he loves it and he did pretty well with his first day of  big boy pants.

Thumbs Up!

Potty Scorecard

                                                 In potty           8 times

                                                 Outside           2 times

                                                 In the floor     1 time

                                                

So a pretty good day for Maddox!  And seriously, how cute is he?



 

and I'm crying again....

It's that time of year again.  The time of year when the laughter stops, the fighting ceases and the little spark in our lives heads back to school. I really am crying again.  It seems absurd especially since its first grade.  I know, I know....I've done this already but I'm convinced I'm just lousy at change.  I love my crazy day to day life; both kids at home, yelling, running, giggling, flipping, hugging, snuggling, and playing.  I don't need anything to change.  I like everything just the way it is...but, nevertheless, here we are staring first grade right in the face.  I'm a mess and Amelia couldn't be more excited.  I mean, she has a new teacher....and "he's a boy." She's had her backpack packed for 2 weeks and her outfit is ironed and ready.  She's pumped, Mom is not. However, I must admit, it does make it easier knowing how much Amelia is looking forward to her new adventure.  So, Amelia, I write to you.....

My Amelia Rose,
Sweet, sweet girl, it's time for first grade!  You are so excited that I think you may pop.  You have a new teacher, Mr. Robinson and you absolutely loved meeting him.  You found out that several of your friends are in your class and I think that will make this year a breeze.  When we walked into orientation, all of the teachers remembered you.  They were so happy to see you.  Mrs. Scott hugged you for the longest time and told you to come to her room if you needed anything.  I could almost see the relief on your face.  I watched you walk down the hallway to your new room with your little ponytail rocking back and forth.  I tried to hold your hand as we walked up the stairs, but you let my hand go.   I don't know why it made me sad but it did.  Of course you don't need me to hold your hand as you walk up the stairs, but I just wanted you to need me or maybe I just needed you to hold MY hand.  It just made me realize how much you have grown up in a year.  You have gained so much confidence around your friends and teachers.  You are still as sweet as ever and funny, too!  You can read and write and sadly for dad and I , you can spell.;)  You are a great big sister and I credit you for teaching Maddox his colors and numbers.  I must say I am most proud of the love that you have for your family...I'm not just talking about me and Dad and Maddox.  I'm talking about the people you pray for every night...Granzy, Grandma, Grandpa, Matt, Dani, Tyler ,and GP.  If you can just continue to remember it really is all about family, then you are ahead of the game. You really are the best kid in the world.  So are you ready?  Heck yeah!  Knock em dead, Amelia.  Just remember, if you ever need anything in your life, big or small, night or day, Dad and I are here for you.  We love you and are proud of you and can't wait to see all the things you accomplish this year.

The Not So Lazy Days of Summer

Wow!!!  Back to school already? On one hand, I cant believe it....on the other hand, I feel like its been a really long, fun summer!  We wasted not one day of our break.  The very first week of summer, Amelia went to acting camp.  Believe it or not, she's a shy little thing outside our house.  Drew and I were convinced it would be good for her and it absolutely was!  She loved it.



 A week later Amelia started pre-team (Hot Shots) at gymnastics.  That child has flipped all over this house for the past 8 weeks...and the Olympics only made it worse;)

In late June, we went to Cincinnati and the kids had a blast. 

Honestly, we could have saved some money and just gotten a hotel room down the street.  Don't get me wrong, they both loved the zoo and the museum and the baseball game but those activities just couldn't compare to staying in a hotel room.  Their favorite thing about the room?  Staying up late and jumping on the beds, of course!  They loved swimming at the hotel, too!  And its a good thing because we swam alot this summer.  In fact we just finished the last week of summer lessons.



So, so, so thankful that we were able to spend time with our family this summer too.  We saw the Ulmers in Louisville and visited Granzy and Tyler a couple of times.  The kids loved swimming at GP's and we even stayed a weekend with Matt and Dani.  And of course, we had our annual July 4th get together!

And finally somewhere in all of the fun, Amelia was able to bust her little tail in gymnastics and make the team.  I don't know how she does it but we are so proud!  All 39 pounds of her:)

Now I also must report that I totally intended to help Amelia with her bike riding and get that paci away from Maddox, but didn't quite get around to it...saving them for the fall;)  So here's to a great summer of 2012!  Now let's get ready for first grade!