A Reader Is Born

Do you remember that I was so so sad right before the school year started?  I start missing my girls before they're even back for the first day.  But one of those moments when I was blue Scott was trying to cheer me up.  Although most of it has been forgotten, one of things that stuck with me was something like this,
"Tara, a reader is about to be born!" 





And little by little my littlest one has started reading.  She found this book in our house, picked it up and read is slowly one word by one word.  A long time first grade teacher (in my former life :) ) I knew the magic that was happening. 





We're always so excited about the stages and phases that our children go through, aren't we?  This one was a happy one for me.



So, she's got a loooooong way to go but I just adore this beginning phase. 

A reader is born.

Which of course turned into a little mini photo shoot right there on my dining room floor..

Little Things In Our Week

Well for some reason this week felt like the REAL first week back to school.  Mainly because the calendar was full and the routines were all in place.  I found myself once again preparing dinner at 9:30 in the morning.  Man, much of my existence is food.   Planning, listing, shopping, putting awaying, cooking, cleaning... and then planning again. phew!  Anyway with a ton of cooking it seems and the regular things of like this week flew by.

I tried something new this week.  I actually took pictures using my phone camera.  I'm usually lugging around the big camera at all times.  But I thought I'd give it a try.  So just a few snapshots from my phone on a busy day like today.  And some little things though out the week. 

Friends who adore adoption as much as we do have two beautiful girls the same age as our girls. Just works out perfect. We love this family and the friendships that they have. Last weekend at a playground...



Big sisters helping little sisters



Baked Manicotti last night... yum!



After some frustration while she was practicing this is Anna and I trying to come up with a plan to hit all of the teachers and orchestras and lessons and ensembles she's in this year. It's now typed and laminated on her music stand and the tears and frustration are gone.



Just so I'll remember her littleness lined up for first grade on a random day.



This week I got a call from the nurse. Abigail had been there with a tummy ache three times in one day. It's her missing mommy September thing... trying to get home. Boy, September can be rough emotionally on all of us! So I went in a few times this week for lunch with my little girl to help her through.  I always just want to bring her home with me after.  Like mother, like daughter, it aches to see her walk out to recess down the hall. Sigh..



Anna and I at the pediatrician this week for a swollen foot from a bug bite. I thought it was infected since she could barely walk on her foot... thank goodness it wasn't and that is almost all better now.



Man, we used to cuddle and talk, now all she does is read.



Weekend homework is way better with a little pot of tea.



Charlotte's Web... I tried counting how many times I read it aloud. Once to each class always in the fall (9 years), Anna told me I read it aloud to her 3 times. And now it's Abigail's turn. I could read it every fall for the rest of my life. Oh that nurturing, that sweet girl Fern, and all of the love a spider has for a pig. Yes, that's 13 times I've cried reading it.



And there ya go... I'm off to pick up the girls and go to tennis! Happy Friday everyone!

It's All in Where You Start

When Anna came home I scrapbooked every single moment with her. Actually way before she was even ours she had three huge scrapbooks filled to the brim of just our "wait". Four more (huge, packed, and filled) of just our fourteen days in China. And then the pink albums began taking over the house. Oh I was always caught up, organized, and it made me so happy.

Abigail came when Anna was just turning four. And I started her scrapbook. I was determined to keep up with both of them. When an event happened (like Christmas) I'd order the pictures and scrapbook them in their albums that same day. I was sooo good. And then this blog came around. Oh, blogging, that's so easy and quick! So somewhere around the time I started this blog I tapered off the scrapbooking. And I MISS It! Not always the making the pages but having the memories in a book, with my own handwriting and not a computer font.

I've attempted a start up so many times. Like here.  I'd organize all of my supplies and then organize all of my supplies. But organized paper, pens, stickers, and die cuts do not sit on your lap on a chilly winter night filling the room with memories as you look at them. My albums would though.

So this is it, really it is. And I have the proof!





I've decided to start not where I left off. Somehow scrapbooking Abigail's last day of preschool picnic is just too overwhelming (that's where I am with her albums) So.... I opened a new scrapbook, put in a package of blank pages and just put in the First Day of School. And ya know what? It was awesome. Quick (15 minutes per book) and fun too! Easy peasy!





They girls were delighted with their first few pages and I've told them to hold me accountable from here on out. As a big event happens I'm going to order the pictures and scrapbook them in that day (okay, well maybe the next)



And no, I won't be scrapbooking the pictures of them looking at their scrapbooks.... just big events people. (like apple picking, school events, Halloween, you get the idea)



And yes, it saddens me that I'll have a gap of a few years in there from where I left off and where I'm starting today but some day I'll go back and fill that in.  My blog will have to help me out on the remembering.  But if I don't scrapbook current I know I'd just have to throw in the towel.  So for now I'm caught up (in my own weird way)






I think I can; I think I can; I think I can!

And it Begins...

This week I feel like I have to have my 'game on'. Because it all begins. All of the extra stuff that sometimes makes my heart beat a little faster, and not in the good way. It's the rushed, hurried routines that leave me a bit frazzled unless I am super organized and ready for all of it.

What begins? Well it's Abigail's Irish Step Dance Class on Mondays, both girls have Group Viola Class on Tuesday's, both girls have their private viola lessons on Wednesdays, Anna has Sazuki Orchestra on Wednesday late afternoons, Friday starts indoor tennis for both of them, and then on Sunday it's Religious Education. And those are the basics. Pretty soon, but not quite yet we add in art for Anna and town orchestra too. It's enough to pull me over the edge so I've decided to try to keep things as simple as possible for the girls. (and for me)

And although this doesn't include their chores (that's a whole different post) or other things around the house this is the simplest plan I could come up with for after school. (since after school often has a lot of go go go here and there) Simple words; simple numbers, just plain simple. I wanted the bits and pieces we are at home after school to feel relaxed, routine, and thought through.

Here's to another year or enrichment!



This year I'm really going to pray about keeping my voice calm, my actions calm, and our home calm. I know deep down that I set the tone and often that tone in our home gives them the rest they need. I'm going to look them in the eyes, talk to them and listen. I'll run around all crazy while they are at school but no matter what is done or what is not done (like laundry waiting to be put away or a dishwasher calling me to empty it) when they are home I'll be here too. Really here.

Pancakes and Pencils... its all sinking in

Our first week of school went off without a hitch.  The best teachers, happy and smiling girls eager to learn and off to school each day.  But just like last year things are slowly sinking in for Abigail.  They had today off and she clung to me all day.  Believe me I loooved it but knew that it just wasn't her.



And then yesterday at dinner I asked her about lunchtime.  Ya know, who did you sit with?  Did you like your ham bites?  And then she told me all matter of fact, "oh, I was crying at lunch.  And I didn't want anyone to see so I hid my head in my lunch box.  But Mrs. Mulready (last years super star kindergarten teacher) came over and said to me, "What's wrong?  I know when something's wrong with my Abigail."  And then when  Abigail told her she missed mommy her teacher comforted her and told her, "oh, it's because she's such a great mom that you miss her."  (or something like that) 

So it's sinking in again.  Abigail is the one that needs to be physically with me.  She crawls in my lap right in the middle of playing with Anna today just because she needs touch.  So, we'll reassure her and love on her when she is home.  And look forward to those weekends! 

And on our day off we made these, yummy!  With homemade blueberry syrup.  Oh I love days off! 



I may have given up sugar, desserts and "home baked goods" (as Abigail calls them) but never ever pancakes (or good wine)

Photo Shoot

I did this little photo shoot after we got back from Disney.  With 'back to school' it took me a while to get it edited but here are just a few of my favorites. 



It was a Jewish baby naming ceremony.  I was only there for the hour before it started but it sure felt neat to me 'out of my element' and learning just a tad bit about a different faith than my own. 



What didn't really surprise me but delighted me was that whether it's a Jewish baby naming ceremony or a Catholic Baptism or anything in between we all share such joy for new life.  And love within a family is boundless.

I blink and it's September

We spent the past three days in homey ness bliss.  Baby doll playing, Little Bear watching, Rainbow Loom bracelets making, Sweet Biscuit baking, summer decorations awaying, scrapbooking closet organizing, art quest portfolio (Anna) creating, pencil sharpening mason jar filling, kind of weekending.  And it was wonnnnderful!  Just was the 'doctor ordered'. (except that none of us are sick, just happy to have time together)







Scott and I kept pinching ourselves (well not literally) that he's not in his phD level classes this year.  Really, just a full time job and our family, really?  No paper to write this weekend, really?  It hit us this weekend and we like how it felt.  A REAL weekend.  In one little weekend we got to little mini house projects that have been put on the back burner for a year since his classes started.  It's awesome how a cleaned out toy closets can make you feel.  Alive, alert, and ready to play with them!

I didn't pick up my camera (much) this weekend.  (huge indication that it was a super great one) Except for this one little outing on the way home from Mass on Sunday morning.  Abigail woke up on Sunday informing all of us that it was Petunia's birthday.  (baby doll) And that her party was at the Hartford Carousel.  Okay, let's go right after church (another it hits us moment that daddy doesn't have a paper to write or an internship to go to)

So only there did I capture just a few. 







I'm going to frame this one and display it when she's all grown up and has a baby shower.  She's a mama in training, this one! 




It's a short week friends!  Tuesday through Friday... but really even shorter for us since we have Thursday off for the Jewish holiday.  I'm crossing my fingers for a nice cool, crisp, apple feeling weekend because I'm bringing out the fall bins on Thursday... and yes, I can hardly wait to decorate.  Bring on the pumpkins and gourds.  I'm ready! 

Oh, and I forgot to add to my list of "ing"s.  Grandparent stopping bying
Deep in conversation here.