Dye Tieing Eggs

The dye tieing of eggs... in Gg's words.

Gg's favorite dye tied egg.

Kk's favorite dye tied egg.

Week 12: Spring Break is coming!

March 20: Happy 1st Day of Spring! What a way to kick off Spring... with a SNOW DAY! Yes it was blizzardy, icy type weather today. So, the school found it in your best interest to close. So agreed! While I am pleased that you had another day home with me (Again Grandpa Lou thinks I made up the snow day just to keep you home so I'm not by myself), I am not so loving the idea of our school year extending into the Summer. We are crossing our fingers something can be done so we won't have to make up these snow days. So, we spent the morning being cozy together reading books. Then we switched up gears and played Fancy Nancy Game. After that we had a had a great lunch and then you went out to play in the freshly fallen snow. It was so much fun to watch you from the window making snow angels, sledding down the hill and then building a "snow fort" out of the snow pile by Kk's tree that is bigger than G now!  Then we did Karoke! What a great way to spend some fun time!

It's the second day in a new week... it's hard to believe that in little more than week Spring Break will be upon us (mostly because last year during Spring Break it was warm and there was no snow)! Though there is very little planned... it's the relaxing with you that I'm most excited about. I miss you so much when you're gone. It gets really lonely at home all day by myself. I live each waking moment in suspense to hear how your day was, what your favorites from the day were, and who you played with.

March 21: The snow keeps falling... but today you had school! It turns out there is lots of fun to be had when the snow is fresh! All kinds of happy sweet laughter. I love it when I can listen to you both play so sweetly from outside. I hear joyous, momentous screeches of delight! Watching you from the window fills my heart with so much love. So much pride.


March 22:Finally it's Friday! This morning G woke up and said, "Ah, it's Friday!" We love Fridays... because we know the two "S" days follow. Those days allow us to have some fun, be cozy and play later than usual. We woke up a little late this morning (daddy turned off his alarm clock) so your morning routine was a condensed version. It was a quick, hurried version and no one really likes those mornings. So, after school we had to get in our "snuggle time".

As soon as Daddy came home from work we colored Eggs for the Edgar E. Bunny! It was so much fun. I love the creativity of "Dye Tieing" Easter Eggs. You really got creative this year.

Then we started packing clothes because tomorrow you are staying at Gramma Deb & Grampa Lou's with Abby and Jordy. It was going to be an earlier than normal "S" day morning so we were all in bed by 8 p.m.

March 23: Then you both were up at 6 a.m.! Like clock work, I mean really it doesn't matter what time you go to bed, you still end up awake at 6 a.m. since you were toddlers. Talk about a bewitching hour... that seems to be yours. We got up and ate then headed over to Gramma Deb's. Where hopped into Gramma's car and left daddy and Grampa then we were on our way to see Auntie Angela & family. We went to their house and played briefly before we went shopping! Mommy hadn't been shopping in forever... I mean the fun shopping where we just browse and take our time. We ended up having lunch at Big Boy and then we went in search of your "crazy hat" for crazy hat day. We went to Kmart and you each found a visor that you had envisioned turning into your own version of a "crazy hat".  Then we hit Hobby Lobby and Meijer. We browsed through the Easter fun and looked at every square inch of the stores.

After shopping and goodbyes to Auntie Angela & Uncle Josh, we made our way back to Gramma Deb's where daddy & Grampa awaited us with giant smiles. Mommy and daddy didn't stay long, because we had a little shopping to do, so we left you for the evening to make memories with your cousins & Gramma & Grampa. 

March 24: I woke up at 7:30 and realized I didn't hear giggling. I don't like waking up to a quiet house. I love my mornings to start with you both in the living room whispering under your blankets while you play with your toys or watch tv cozied up together on the couch. I sent daddy at 9:30 to bring you home. I was ready for you to come hom, (my leg was super sore from all of the walking yesterday), but after daddy left he informed me he was taking you to the store to go mama birthday shopping. So I was without you for even longer!

When you finally waltzed through the door, I kissed your cheeks red! I couldn't get enough snuggles and guess what you wanted to do?! You wanted to go play with your toys and leave me empty lapped. You're growing up. This I have a hard time with. But, hearing you in the next room having fun eases my troubled heart. Though, after about an hour of playing you both were sick of each other and ready to be separated.

That's when we decided it was time to work on those crazy hats! Which turned out great!

March 25: Oh Mondays... how I loathe you! Poor Gg woke up at 11 p.m. last night throwing up. It was terrible. She was pale and just felt awful. Mommy made up the couch and then daddy brought up the mattress from the basement so I could sleep in the living room with you. It was a good thing I did because you had a rough night; puked twice more and then lots of head stroking was needed along with some mama snuggles. Poor baby. (There's nothing worse than a mama's baby being sick.)

So Gg stayed home with mommy and we snuggled all day. Then about 11 a.m. the fever started! Blasted fever! We have no luck when it comes to puking or fevers! The two go hand in hand in this house. So, I let Gg's lil tiny body fight it off, she took a 2 1/2 hour nap and then was still in bed by 7 and fast asleep by 7:30!
Kk had a great day at school. She wore her crazy hat and crazy socks! I love my "crazy lovin" girl! Poor G was so upset about missing the fun at school. It was terrible. But Kk thought of her and brought her home a sucker from the bus for helping keep it clean. I thought that was super thoughtful and very compassionate.

March 26: BEACH DAY! Okay it's not really a beach day but it is at school! G woke up fever free and clothing free too... said she got super hot this morning (which is probably when her fever broke)! Well, daddy came home from work to stay with G while mommy and K went to an appointment. We went to see this nice lady, Miss Natalie, about figuring out ways to help us as a family help K with working through frustration and to work on social skills. After our appointment K was excited to go to school and take on Beach Day! When she came home from school full of smiles and said that Beach Day rocked, poor G started to cry because she was missing out. I felt terrible... because she took a "beach day" bath only to have it bring on her fever again.

So, that means no school tomorrow. :( Kk played outside after school for about an hour, soaking in the sunshine... while poor G watched her eagerly from the window.
We received a large envelope from Lainey Bowers today. It was "Flat Stanley"! He's come to visit us for a couple days! We had to make him winter wear though because he was freezing! He's got thin blood from living in the South, where it's warmer.

7 Things

The below is from a post from another mom; a mom who is also worried about her daughters in this world today.  She is also concerned about what clothes are available to young girls. She's rightfully so, outraged that skimpy inappropriate -there's a word that goes with it but I don't want to go there- sells! She's disappointed that television is used as lure for young girls to believe that you have to act and dress well beyond your years is better than modest. The fact of the matter is, as your grow older, as you begin to blossom into young ladies; you need to respect yourselves. Respect goes a long way in this world full of horrible awful images, terrible outrageous attacks, nasty and degrading things that occur daily on women.

Be the change you want to see in this world my darlings, please never forget it. 

Seven Things We Must Tell Our Daughters: (source)

1. You are Valuable:: She needs to know she is important and so valued that you will protect her with rules and boundaries because you love her. There is safety and comfort within those restrictions, even when she pushes against them.
2. Your Worth Isn’t Based on Your Appearance:: She needs to be told she is beautiful–not because she’s wearing a sassy outfit or new lipgloss–her worth is not found in her appearance, the opinions of others or herself. She is beautiful because she was created in the image of God. Her appearance has little to do with true beauty and her worth isn’t wrapped up in looking good or being perfect.
3. You Don’t Need a Guy:: She needs to hear starting at a young age (but it’s never too late to start telling her). She needs to be told a boy doesn’t complete her, God does. Chasing or enticing or wanting a guy doesn’t make her attractive and it doesn’t make her a woman. The only guy she needs in her life for a long time is her Dad or a father figure until God brings her a husband if that’s His plan.
4. You Are Amazing:: Our daughters need to hear we are proud of them. She is enough. Tell her out of all the girls in the world, you’d always choose her. Sadly, she will be tempted to spend a lot of time in life trying to prove her value to others. Create an atmosphere where she is loved, just like she is.
5. You Don’t Have to Believe What You Hear:: She needs to hear your affirming voice in her head. Because there will be mean girls in her life, peers with pressure and adults in her world who will let her down and have low expectations of her. She needs to hear the opposite at home, your voice will lead her to Him and she’ll know who to listen to.
6. You Have Me:: No matter what happens in life, the ups and downs that will come her way, the losses and gains, our daughters must know we are there for them. She needs to know she can talk to you about anything. Anytime. More importantly, we can show her Jesus.
7. You Can Change the World:: She needs to know she can dream big and can accomplish whatever she wishes. She can do so with God by her side and she doesn’t need a boy or society to make it happen. She can be anything she want to be with your help. Stand by her, with her and watch her fly.

Week 11

March 13: Update about conferences: Last night daddy went to visit your teachers and I was able to join the convo because of technology! Your teachers had the most magnificent remarks about you both.

Mrs. McGeorge was eager to sing G's praises last night! She spent all of the 15 minutes telling daddy and I how motivated, determined, smart and capable you are Gg! It brought tears to my eyes in fact.

Daddy being so proud of his smarty pants daughters decided you each deserved a special gift from the Book Fair.

Before Daddy left Kk had written him a reminder note about what she and Gg wanted from the Book Fair in case he happened to wander down that way.

 

Mrs. Keen was so proud to announce that Kk is reading well beyond her years! She began our conversation with a smile that I could hear through the phone. She said that Kk is just an amazing student, who always tried her very best! She is the ideal student and is so happy to have Kk this year.

Mrs. Keene also was VERY excited to tell us about the MEAP. You passed both sections which was only something 60% of students in Michigan had done. So this is a huge accomplishment!

Of course you needed to be rewarded!!

So daddy found the "phone" recorder you were looking for and he also bought you a Taylor Swift book.

 Daddy and I could not possibly be any prouder of you both! You are truly amazing little girls who take their studies very seriously and I absolutely appreciate that!

March 14: Today was the last day of the Read-a-thon! Kailee finished it out with 845 minutes in 10 days! Gracie finished with 750 minutes! Dare I say I'm "so proud" again? Because I'm am! I am always amazed by you both and your capabilities! You each also managed to raise $50 for the PTO to put towards more books!

Daddy noticed tonight that Kk has grown about 3 inches since school started! I mean seriously girl we can't keep you in jeans! You are finally fitting into your size 8's perfectly and then you do it again -- you grow! Your legs are SO LONG! It's unreal!! So, into size 10's you go! I guess you're going to accessorize with a belt if you wear jeans! 

March 15: We had an inservice day so that means; NO SCHOOL! We had a lazy morning and then we got dressed when daddy came home so we could get a few errands complete! We started out at the dollar store because two little girls had dollar bills burning a hole in their pockets. So we spent a good while in there finding all kinds of fun little trinkets that could only satisfy that $1 need to spend! Then  we went over to Meijer where we grocery shopped for well over an hour... though it felt like 3 hours because Gg is not (at all what so ever) a good shopper. Oh Gg we love you more than anything in the world but we do not love the whining while shopping... "my feet hurt", "my legs are so tired", "I cannot go no more." I was over it; so I left you with daddy and Kk and I went and found other items we needed until you straightened out. After we spent the early evening shopping away; you came home and ate fish dinner! Daddy took mommy to the hospital because Great Uncle Walt was not doing well, he fell down and hurt himself and then he started having some strange behaviors so they thought something more was wrong. So, Grampa Lou met mommy at the hospital.

While I was waiting for Grampa Lou; I over heard a very frustrated older man in need of making a long distance phone call but the hospital would not let him. Hearing the desperation in his voice to get a hold of his son; I lent him my cell phone. While he spoke; I watched him and the emotion in his voice was so gut wrenching and I am so glad I decided to come to hospital to meet Grampa Lou. The man tried to pay mommy for the use of the cell phone but I refused to accept anything from him; he was a nice man, who needed someone and I believe God put there for a reason. I could have sat somewhere else; I could have waited outside but I believe God wanted me there so this Army Veteran could speak to his son. I pray that his wife is doing well and I pray that he is doing alright because he was so sad. I hope you both can help people every day in any way you can because this is how we create a better world. This is how we show people we love them and no matter where we come from; we are all people who deserve to be treated with love and respect.

While visiting Uncle Walt, I was able to show him the cute pictures of you both that I have on my cell phone. I wish we would make a better effort to go see him. After they know what is wrong with him medically we will make a better effort. Uncle Walt is Grampa Lou's Uncle... so he's really your Great Great Uncle. He is a little bit difficult to understand when he speaks but I think he would be very happy if he received a hug from both you. Sometimes all we need are hugs in order to feel better.

March 16: This morning we were supposed to go with Daddy over to Grampa Lou & Gramma Deb's but our plans changed when Gramma Deb woke up feeling worse than she did yesterday. I knew we shouldn't chance going over there so we rearranged our plans with Auntie Angela and we are going to go over to their house NEXT weekend instead (hopefully Gramma Deb is feeling better). So while daddy went to work on our sick car with Grampa we stayed home and had a "Spa" morning...Which turned into "Game" afternoon. We had lots of fun!

You each took a jacuzzi bath, then got cozy in my bed and watched a show.

 

After that mommy made a you a "festive" tea party snack with the cookies daddy made that morning. You had quite a little feast.

Then we spent the afternoon playing Sorry Sliders and then many rounds of I Spy Bingo. It was so much fun! Then you both read for a while; then wandered into your playroom where you spent a good portion of the evening playing with your Lego Friends and Lala's. Before bed you set up Leprechaun traps! Which was very creative!

March 17: Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

So, Kk woke up at 5:30 a.m. in order to check and see if the Leprechaun was caught. Daddy said, "go back to bed!" but it was to late she was wide awake! With little success he was not but it wasn't without trying! The mess that little green fellow made my Lord!

"Top o' the Mornin' ta ya!" Was my waking up "good morning" phrase which gave me the funniest response looks from you both. I nearly peed my pants laughing. You both were ready for Sunday School in no time flat! You were quite excited to show off your new shirts! Daddy took you to church after Sunday school where you ran into Grandpa Bob & Grandma Sandee. They wanted to spend a couple of hours with you, so daddy took you to their house after church which was about noon, where you played a few board games and ate lunch. Daddy came to pick you up about 2:30 and then you came home and cleaned up your playroom and bedroom. Then we enjoyed breakfast for dinner courtesy of daddy! He made you yummy french toast and sausage with a little fruit on the side. Then we spent the evening reading together... I love them snuggly buggly moments.You hoolies were fast asleep by 7 p.m.!

March 18: With such an early bedtime you both slept until daddy woke you at 6:45 a.m.! That tells me my girls need their sleep. I predict your growing...

Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to school you go! With full bellies and happy smiles; Hi Ho Hi Ho Hi Ho! 

While you gone I got all creative and used some Pinterest ideas to make a "14 Day Walk with Christ". It was pretty easy for me because all I did was use the plastic eggs we had; I just repurposed them... then I printed out the sheets of paper that are supposed to strike up conversation about Christ.

Our new egg conversation starts are a big hit. We talked about what the word or phrase meant to us. I loved it. Jesus Loves Me was Day 1: To G it meant that he shows it in everything we have and the we show it back with the actions we do. K said that it means that we can always talk to him and know hes listening. My smarty pants!

March 19: It's nearly spring... and it's a snow storm today. Not stormy enough for a snow day but bad enough that mommy had to miss K's Music Informance today at school. Daddy went and took video so we can watch it tonight (I can't wait). There was some major mommy guilt about not going; but it was so slippery that daddy agreed it's too much to chance when he can video it and let us all watch it together. I wish I would have sent my camera though... so there are no pictures of this magical event. This makes me feel sad and sick even. I know you did a brilliant job though, daddy called right after and told me all about it. You showed him how you were able to read music notes; which is totally impressive! You sang and showed beats and you even showed how your class knew what certain symbols meant. Very cool!!!