Summers Swing

#summergram2016

||backyard rope swing||

||#waitedallday, #dadsaidyes, #canal, #ropeswing, #digusting, #askiftheycare||

...and that's a wrap || 1st grade

P.S. Jace in Preschool II | Preschool I 

The Last Day!

Happy last day of school! Bring it on summer, we are oh so ready!

#summergram2016

||awesome day. no more school and he can now land on his feet after the flip.||

just keep swimming, just keep swimming

Brynlee and Jace had their awards party tonight for swim team. They did awesome at Saturday’s swim meet and I’m so proud of them.

Jace ended up taking first place in all four of his events: 25 yard freestyle, 50 yard freestyle, 25 yard backstroke and 100 yard mixed relay.

Brynlee took 1^st place in the 100 yard freestyle, 2^nd place in the 50 yard freestyle and 3^rd place in the 50 yard backstroke.

Yay! I’m so glad my kids are good swimmers (says the mom in the life jacket!).

And cousins make swim team so much more fun!

Dinner Talk

Tonight at the dinner table:

Kim: Jace, use a fork please.

Spencer (in his best Kim impersonation voice): Jace, use the force please.

Any guesses as to which advice the young Jedi Master was mindful of? 

Thursday's Love Note

Spence goes to work at 5am. FIVE FLIPPIN’ A.M! An hour that by unspoken law everyone in the entire universe should still be sleeping soundly.

Anyway, needless to say, we don’t typically see him in the morning before he dashes off to work.

This morning he left notes. The kids woke up first thing and saw them on their nightstands. And then we came downstairs and Brynlee spotted one on the kitchen counter left for me.

“Mom!” Dad left you a note too. Want me to read it to you?”

And then she proceeds to read…

Good morning Mama. You are a hot babe!

To which Jace gasps disgusted…

“Oh geez!”  And then in the deepest, manliest voice he could muster up he mockingly continues… “Oh honey, I’ll hold on to you like a fat man to a doughnut!”

He’s quite the charmer, that one.

love note

I made Peach Crisp for dessert tonight. We ate it on the deck to end our day. Marlee ate sans pants and underwear. …because she’s the boss. And I served myself an extra scoop of Costco vanilla ice-cream. Because I was aching for a pick-me-up like something fierce.

It was a puffy eyed day today. Puffy and stinging. I tried hard to bite my lip, to roll with the punches, to save my mascara. But yet, the tears rolled. The dam broke. The sting gave way. And it felt unfixable until every last tear had trickled down my face and dripped from my chin. 

I told Spencer that kids certainly don’t have a clue how much their parents worry about them.  And he agreed, they don’t.

When you’re a kid you kind of just do your thing. And you expect that your parents kind of just do their thing too.

But truth be told, when you’re the parent, your thing is their thing! 

***

Brynlee, Jace and Marlee-

Mom and dad love you. We love you more than you can fully comprehend at your young age. We love you more than we can put into words or into actions. But, someday, when you’re all grown up, you too will have little people that you are responsible for. And you will love them. And pray for them. And marvel at their every move. You will protect them. And care for them. And occasionally brag about them. And sometimes, you will cry for them. And when that time comes you will think “never before in the history of ever has a parent loved their children as much as I love mine!” And you will be wrong. Because dad and I, we love you that much! 

And we always will.

XOXO, 

Mom

I’m Bloggin’

Spence is at a golf tournament today. He woke up stiff and sore from his workout yesterday and was having a hard time moving his right arm. Unfortunate timing because as it turns out you sort of need your right arm for golfing tournaments. He stretched and moaned and then with sarcasm so thick I could taste it he alleged, “It’s really too bad, because I think we had a dang good chance of winning the whole thing this year."

And then I died.

Because, hilarious.

His team is made up of himself and three coworker: Engineer C, Engineer R, and Engineer P.  Engineer P, aka Patrick, golfs occasionally. And without knowing a single thing about his golf game, based on that fact alone, I would consider him the MVP of the team. Spencer is too sore to get any range of motion in his right arm. And he’s not really a golfer to begin with (no offense honey), but I do think you have to go golfing more than biennially to be considered a golfer. Engineer C is a Brazilian, which has absolutely nothing to do with his golf game. But I was telling you that fact as to say that I would tell you his real name, but truly I haven’t a clue how to spell it. But in reference to his golfing ability, his entire golf experience consists of one measly trip to the driving range. And Engineer R, a Pakistanian, who’s name I am also unable to spell, asked Spence if golf was the game that you used those stick things to hit the little ball with. “Uh huh,” Spence answered.  Well, can I borrow your sticks because I don’t have any sticks of my own? “Clubs,” Spence corrected him, “let’s call them clubs.”

They certainly aren’t going to be bringing home any golfing trophies, but I have a sneaky suspicion that they are going to have the most fun.

Anyway, I have upward of five bazillion things that I want to tell you. Let’s start with 8 (that seems manageable), and I will save the remaining four bazillion and some really, really big number that adds up to a total of five bazillion minus 8 for another day:

One|| School started. No duh, right. It’s already been three weeks since day one! (pssst…. I’m a bit behind on the whole journaling thing) But, my boys a kindergartner! And so far he’s rockin’ it. I get to volunteer in his little Kindergarten class every Tuesday. Last Tuesday was my first day and I got such a kick out of watching him in this new environment. He’s a natural. Our wish came true and he got to be in the same Kindergarten class as his little BFF, which was extremely comforting for his mama. And although I got a bit of nostalgia/anxiety the day or two before school it dispersed when I saw him get off the school bus on day one, hand in hand with Brynlee, with a smile so big it shined. He’s going to be just fine!

And Brynlee in in the 3^rd grade. Which seems so grown up and big and stuff. She was extremely nervous about her third grade teacher. She’s known as being the “mean” teacher around school.  But alls well, and as it turns out she sort of loves her. Thus far she has had nothing but good to report. In fact she came home from school the other day and told me that her teacher reminds her so much of me! Which I refused to look into the deeper meaning of (the whole mean teacher thing) and quickly accepted it as a well-intended compliment.

Anyway, the requisite first day of school pictures. 2014 edition:

Two|| Also another school update, Marlee is just fine holding down the fort while Brynlee and Jace are at school. I worried about it actually. Thought she would be lonely, or something. Not true. She loves that no one is around to stand guard and take charge of the things that have been deemed off-limits for her chubby toddler hands. And she especially loves all the one-on-one mom time and extra undivided attention. She’s such a diva!

I kid. But only a little.

Three|| We took a family hike up City Creek a couple Sunday’s ago. It was beautiful. And rejuvenating. And enjoyable. And every other adjective that you would use to describe a Sunday family hike in the beautiful mountains where everybody was getting along and having a good time. But then, when we still had at least a mile to hike before we reached our final ending point, Marlee had an accident. And then the hike got really long. And wet. And uncomfortable. And the opposite of rejuvenating. And also every other adjective that you would use to describe carrying a wet toddler on your hip as you hike down the mountainside.

Parenting is humbling. And also gross.

Four|| Spence and I gifted each other gym memberships for our anniversary. Because nothing says love (and old) (and practical) like a gym membership for your 11^th anniversary gift. Although it is leaps and bounds better than steel, which apparently is the traditional wedding gift due at year 11. Weird.

Anyway, with the gym membership came the real gift: time! Which means that Spence has been coming home on his lunch break to watch the kids so I actually get a chance to use the gym membership that was gifted me. It is such a nice break. And not to brag, but I’m actually rockin’ the whole back to the gym thing. Handling it like a champ. In fact, I’m hoping by next week I’ll be able to walk up the stairs like a normal human again. Fingers crossed.

Five|| Last Saturday we day tripped to Logan to watch The Wizard of Oz play. My niece Bryn was our highlight, playing the part of a winged monkey. The production was fantastic. We had such a good time, and I’m secretly crossing my fingers that she keeps up with the drama thing. Watching productions and plays are on the top half of my favorite things list and it’s even more fun when you are watching someone you love out on the stage preforming.

We also got to catch a bit of Gavin’s soccer game before the play. In case you’re wondering, five year olds playing soccer has absolutely no resemblance to 14 year olds playing soccer. It was like watching a real live soccer game.

Six|| Speaking of soccer … it’s that time of year again. Brynlee opted not to play this season, choosing to stick with gymnastics instead. But Jace is playing. He scored 4 goals his first game! Which makes me smile proudly. But it also makes me remember the first season he played soccer, he had barely turned four. Spence and I would cheer and high five and congratulate him obsessively if just by chance there was one time during the game that the ball would come in contact with his foot. It was a rare occurrence, but we found reason to cheer anyway. “Good running, Jace”. “Way to listen to your coach, Jace.” “Good job getting close to the ball, Jace.” “Oh yay! There’s treats, Jace.” We were certain that come the end of the season he would elect to pass up on soccer the next season. It just didn’t seem his thing. Not aggressive seemed to be an understatement. As in he touched the ball maybe five times all season long (possibly by accident), and he was absolutely okay with that. But the next season he surprised us asking to play again. So of course we agreed. And then again the next season. And here we are two years later, still playing soccer. And (bragging mom alert) he has turned into quite the little soccer player.

Sometime during his first little soccer season I was visiting with another mom on the sidelines. Jace ran around pretending to play soccer, but still managing to not come anywhere within 3 feet of the actual soccer ball. “This isn’t about soccer for me,” I told her. “It’s the social aspect, doing something without me. It’s about the experience, and about learning different skills. “Oh,” she answered back, “well, for me it’s about the soccer!”

I love to tell that story. Mainly because (my opinion) some parents take sports way to seriously. But also because, they were four. FOUR!

And then a couple days ago I happened upon this blog post, and I was all like word! Because it’s not about the soccer! And it’s not about the gymnastics. Or dance. Or swimming. Or whatever the extracurricular activity is at the time. It’s about the deeper, truer lessons. And really those deeper, truer lessons makes all the enrollment fees and after school mama taxi services worth it for me. The watching Jace score a goal or catch the baseball or Brynlee do a back handsprings or swim the length of the pool is just a little something extra.

Seven|| On Monday night we watched Marie play her 7^th grade volleyball game (when did my baby sister get so big!?). The whole experience made me giddy with memories – middle school volleyball games make up large portion of my middle school memories. Katie made a comment that the real reason that you play sports in middle school is for the bus rides before and after the games. Amen. Also, how did my baby sister get so big!

Eight|| Jace had a birthday! Six years old, people. Which deserves a blog post all of his own, so I’ll write more later.

Which works out well because it’s about time for Spence to get home from his golf tournament and I've got to get up off the couch and act like the kids and I've been busy doing productive things while he’s been gone. I hope we still have time to hide the evidence, you know … change out of our pj’s and brush our teeth. And maybe, if lucks on my side, I’ll have time to clean up the breakfast plates off the table.

Happy Saturday.

XOXO, Kim

My Photo Album: Preschool Graduate

Jace’s preschool graduation/program was just as we expected. A bit of adorable, mixed with some nerviness, and a tiny bit of goofy. I think all graduations should require the graduates to stand in a line and sing nursery songs, don’t you?

Jace's talent for the talent show: "I can drink through a straw without opening my mouth."

Jace and his best little buddy, Emmitt.

And here is a little video of Jace graduating. I love, love his awkward Miss Lori hug. It’s so typical of him. Miss Lori is the perfect little preschool teacher – always full of loves and hugs for everyone. And Jace, well, he’s timid.

I love you, my little preschool graduate. You make mom and dad so incredibly proud!

Oh My Quotable Friday: dated

And while I’m cleaning {blog} house, here’s another old post from my draft folder – this one’s a quotable one...

...and that's a wrap || preschool

P.S. Jace's 1st year of preschool wrap up (here).

this feburary

Just as I expected the stomach bug continues to make its round, taking us down one at a time. Right now it’s Spence’s turn. It came on quick and knocked him flat. Jace started crying when Spence started throwing up because he didn't want him to get sick. That boy makes me smile. He has the biggest heart. His latest is that he says, "whatever you say boss" or "aye, aye captain" whenever I ask him to do anything.  He's Spence's little mini-me, following him around everywhere and trying to do everything just like dad does. Those two are inseparable; I hope it always stays that way.

Tomorrow Brynlee gets to go to Achievement Days (is it called activity days now?) for her first time ever. She is so excited. I can’t believe she’s eight. Holy Moly. She got her ears pierced for her birthday. Grandma Showell took all of us girls to get our ears pierced for our 8^th birthday. It was a much anticipated and prized birthday present. So when Brynlee started asking to get her ears pierced I told her that she had to wait for her 8^th birthday, just like I had to. Of course, come birthday time, that was the first thing on her birthday wish list. She doesn't do pain real well so I made double extra sure she wanted to go through with it. She insisted. The first few day were kinda rough for her – we were visiting with friends out of town and I don’t think that helped. But now she really likes them and is glad she did it.

Marlee wants to be outdoors at all times. The trampoline is her favorite. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I don’t have to bundle her six billion times a day and drag her in when I fear that her extremities might be suffering from mild frost bite.  When Brynlee and Jace were about Marlee’s age they both turned into major daddies kids. I sorta became dead to them and daddy could do no wrong. But Marlee? Not so much. She is a mommy’s girl through and through. Sometimes I joke that I wish she would hit that stage because mom just needs a five minute break. But really I love it. She’s my sidekick. I love her so much. 

Anyway, a few pictures from February, just ‘cause I never posted any.

Big room, little girl.

Big sisters are the best.

Jace and the snow covered golf course.

Rosy cheeks.

Exhausted.

Building Turtle Mania castles.

She fits in a bowl. Also, we don't comb her hair.

A valentines day box in process.

Brynlee was determined to make her valentines box all by herself this year. I helped her prime a box and google an idea (its pinterest for the lame) and then she ran with it. She was so proud of her end product, mainly because it was entirely her product. 

Building snow stuff.

He was a little top heavy and didn't stand for long, but it was fun while it lasted.

Jace has been writing his entire name lately. Middle name included.

The cutest mailman ever.

#careerdayatpreschool, #jacesidea, #weloveourmailman

And here's her Valentine's Box all done. She did such a good job.