Bobbi

Here's a picture of my Grandma, Bobbi from years ago. I love it.

My very own jack-o-lantern

A few nights ago I woke elle up in the middle of the night and we had our "cheerios date" once again. She was soo excited as I carried her down the stairs in the dark. We talked about how first grade was going. She loves her teacher and she loves school. I am so, so happy. I told her how much I loved her and gave her a big kiss and hug. She told me that she loved me so much that "bunnies and fireworks were exploding out of her heart." It was a serious moment but I just busted out laughing. Bunnies and Fireworks? She then started laughing too. It was really funny. I then told her that we didn't need to get any pumpkins this year to carve jack-o-lanterns. She kind of looked sad and asked me why. I then told her to go look in the mirror and give herself a big smile. She got it and we both laughed some more and then I carried her back upstairs and tucked her into her bed. I love this girl more than anything. Even more than bunnies and fireworks.

Bobbi

My sweet grandma who we have always called, Bobbi, passed away yesterday. I miss her already. Last week I got a phone call from my dad that she had a stroke and was in the hospital. It was very unexpected. I got friends to help with my kids and drove straight to the hospital. When I walked into the hospital room my grandpa, chief, was holding her hand and softly crying. It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. He got out of his wheelchair and stood and kissed her on her forehead and whispered to her, "that's what I dreamed about all night, Barb." I hugged him and he cried on my shoulder. He reminded me that they had been married for 66 years. All I could do was hug him right back and cry right along with him. I was able to kiss her on her forehead and tell her into her ear how much I loved her and how grateful I was to have been her granddaughter. I am so happy that I was able to see her one last time.

I was lucky enough to have had my grandparents living just 2 miles from my house growing up. They would have us over every Sunday night for popcorn. They also hosted sleepovers and in the morning we would wake up to donuts, cocoa krispies and chocolate milk...every time. For every grandchild's birthday, Bobbi would take you out for "Bobbi's Special Day". It included her picking you up, taking you anywhere you wanted for lunch and then she would have a special place she would take you....to see a play, a favorite movie, the circus...whatever. I looked forward to those dates every year. I also remember her singing in the choir at church and she would send secret signals to her grandkids in the audience by wiggling her nose. We would wiggle our noses right back at her...it was our secret sign. Bobbi was at every single one of my long dance recitals, graduations, Jon's and my wedding, baby blessings etc. She was always there. Even up until quite recently I would still get phone calls from her just checking in on me. She would always ask about my little girls, I would get soup recipes from her (she had the best) and she would fill me in on all of my cousins. I loved it.

I know I'll be able to see her again someday but I miss her so much already. I feel so grateful that she was such a big part of my life. Her laugh and smile are still fresh in my memory.

I love you, Bobbi.

Tubby Time

Having Elle and Gwen at school is giving me some much needed Lily time. I can't tell you the last time she had a bath. Not that she was a dirty little girl...it's just that I would usually hand her to Jon in the shower each morning where he would lather her up, rinse her off and then pass her right back to me holding the towel (we have become very efficient with this routine). These days however, she can take a leisurely bath smack in the middle of the day. This is one happy girl.

Happy

My two littlest girls and I had quite a lazy morning. Still in our pj's, we dropped off Elle at school and then headed straight back home for some serious down-time. Lily opened up the dvd cabinet and took about 40 dvd's out and mixed them all up, she unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper and then cruised the house with this shopping basket. Gwen played petshop on our front porch, snuck my diet coke from the counter and added a purple straw for herself and kept Lily's grocery basket stocked with play-food. Peter Rabbit was on TV and I did lots of laundry and organizing and breakfast dishes. Besides missing our Ellers, it felt like the good '0l days and we were all very happy.

Look Who's Starting To Walk

I love watching my babies take their first steps. We are at that stage with Lily and it is so fun. This little shopping cart is giving her the confidence she needs to just go for it. Gwen filled it up for her this morning with play-food from her kitchen and was cheering for Lily as she cruised around the house. Lily's smile pretty much shows how proud of herself she is.

Here she goes!

Gwen had her first day of preschool. She has been anticipating this day for quite some time. About a month ago Gwen chose her backpack and lunchbox. She has carried that backpack almost everywhere she has gone for 3 weeks straight. This morning Gwen was giddy with excitement when I packed her lunch and got her backpack all ready to go "for real." You can see in the little pocket on the backpack shoulder strap that she also HAD to take her purple tinkerbell sunglasses for the drive to preschool, "just in case it is too sunny." She chose this headband because it is "sparkly just like Cinderella's when she goes to the Ball." On our drive to school she begged to have her window rolled all the way down and asked me several times to turn the radio up. You could definitely tell she was feeling quite grown-up. I loved every minute. These are the little details that I love and never want to forget. Here's to a fun year!

First Day - First Grade

The picture above was a candid moment I caught between Elle and her daddy before she hopped in the car headed for school this morning. He was whispering how much he loved her in her ear and telling her to have a great first day of school. I tear up just looking at that photo. It really is unreal how much love you have as a parent for your children

The traditional front porch photo before rushing into the car to make it before the bell rang. I took Elle shopping yesterday to pick out a "first day of school outfit". She saw this black and white polk-a-dot dress and black leggings and it was a done deal. The silver sparkle backpack and matching lunch box was ordered a ways back and she has been admiring it for the past few weeks. To say she was excited to put it to use this morning would be an understatement.

We arrived at the blacktop and found her classroom's designated line where the teachers meet each class before they head into the classroom. Elle was pretty much attached to me at the hip at this point. She was nervous but excited. She said her tummy felt "all mixed up".

Her first meeting with her new teacher. She is a lucky little girl to have this amazing first grade teacher. I am so happy to know she is in good hands.

I used to be a first grade teacher. I taught first grade for 6 years right up until one month before I had my Ellers. I didn't think I missed it until today. Seeing all of those cute little 5 and 6 year old kids wide-eyed and ready to learn along with that fun classroom made me miss my teaching days. First grade is a magical year in my opinion. The best. I am so excited for Elle.

I am happy to report that she was all smiles when I picked her up from school today. I waited with Gwen and Lily outside of her classroom after school. Gwen jumped into Elle's arms and yelled, " I missed you, sissy!" and Elle quickly unbuckled Lily out of her stroller so she could hold her. She said she had a great day. I think there are a lot more great days ahead of her.

Tiger Sharks

My Ellers spent the majority of her summer in the swimming pool. We found something she not only likes but actually loves...swimming! She was on our community's Tiger Shark Swim Team and loved every minute of it. She practiced monday - thursday from 9 - 10 am and had weekly swim meets. If you came in first place or last place each swimmer received a ribbon after their race. Elle was always oblivious as to what number her ribbon read (good thing ;) but would just hop out of the pool and give me a big hug. I am so happy that she has found a sport she loves.