Rikki and Martin Visit

We miss you!

Mornings Lately

Mornings around here have been pleasant since school started.  I love having two shifts in the morning:

SHIFT #1: Wake Madeline and Kensington up at 6:15 a.m.  Listen to Choobies say yet again, "Mom, I don't want to go to school today."  Give her a big hug and say, "I know.  That's what you say every morning," and then help her pick out an outfit.  It's always a skirt.  She refuses to wear shorts or pants.  Since when did she care what she wears?

Madeline begins talk-talk-talking a mile a minute in her happy chatter while Kensington mopes sluggishly around, squeezing in a moment or two to set up her Squinkies or cuddle with "Koaly" and "Tankie" until she can come home again.  Madeline helps everyone with making lunches while I put the oatmeal on the stove.  

Dallas hops in the shower, and I fix two heads of hair.  Madeline gets her hair flat-ironed if it's Day #1 after washing it.  If not, it goes into a ponytail, especially if she has P.E.  Kensington wants either a ponytail, side ponytail, or braids.  And she always wears a big ribbon in her hair.  I've got to put ribbons in her hair as long as she'll let me.  Madeline and Raleigh have both grown out of it although I hear there's been a ribbon revival over at the Middle School lately.

I wake up Raleigh in time for family prayer, and if they're lucky, they get a quick bite to eat if they haven't dawdled.  My dream is to have family breakfast/prayer/scripture study at 6:40 a.m., but we're not quite there yet getting everyone ready on time.

There is always a hurry to get out the door on time.  Lots of hugs and kisses.  Kensington's backpack is bigger than she is, and Madeline's hands are always full of extra things she's taking to school (because she gets really into everything).  

Dallas drives the girls to the bus stop, and then he comes back in to finish getting ready.  Raleigh hangs out on the bathroom counter while he shaves and fixes his hair to have precious one-on-one chat-time with her dad.  Meanwhile, I clean up the first storm of the day in the kitchen and prod Raleigh to "get going."  She flits from one thing to the next, trying to remember everything.  Dallas is out the door by 7:30 a.m., and then begins . . . 

SHIFT #2: I continue to remind Raleigh everything she needs to do.  I know I really need to stop that, but the girl is seriously spacey!  She eats breakfast, makes her lunch, makes her bed, prays, brushes her teeth, catches up on homework, practices violin, and plays with Emery.  I continue to clean up, help Raleigh with her hair, and enjoy the quiet with my oldest and youngest.

Raleigh has been so diligent with her homework and practicing . . . it amazes me.  It is such a contrast from the all the teeth-pulling we had to do last year.  She's really catching on to the violin, and the past few mornings, Emery has been standing next to Raleigh while she practices, singing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," no matter what song Raleigh is playing.

It's precious.  I love watching the look on Raleigh's face when she thinks Emery is so cute.  I tell her, "Raleigh, YOU used to be just as cute as Emery when you were that age."  She was.  They all were.

Before we know it, 8:10 a.m. has arrived, and Raleigh grabs all of her things in a hurry to run out to the bus stop.  She always forgets to give me a kiss, so I always call her back.  You can't leave this house without a kiss and a hug!  We wave at the door until we can't see Raleigh anymore. 

Then comes the really quiet quiet.  Emery is a peaceful little soul who is happy doing almost anything, so we have some pretty nice mornings.  She loves to help out, so we usually begin cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry right away.  I love a good head start on the day.

Emery's Washcloth Pile

Until the next day comes . . . 

This little girl of ours is such a treasure.

Madeline is an old soul with a heart as big as Texas.

She wants to please everyone - not in the insecure kind of way - because she has more confidence than any girl her age I know . . . 

But she genuinely wants to use her gifts and talents to bless others.

As I told her when I kissed her goodnight Sunday, "Thank you for being so helpful today.  You bless my life!"

My happiest moments of parenting come when I see these girls grow more and more into capable women.  This past summer we worked really hard.  Since we only had a few short months together of all-day time, a lot of our time away from the pool was spent learning life skills (because I needed lots of help, and these girls are great helpers).

Madeline was a champ.

This girl knows how to wash dishes by hand - even when she's grumpy - (wearing high heels makes it all better!)  She can make fresh guacamole, fresh tortillas, and from-scratch chicken taquitos.  We were on a Mexican kick.  She saved the day when I was down with a migraine, and she made us all dinner.

And now she's back at school, and I miss her happy help!

Madeline is one of those kids who likes to be around the adults more than the kids.  She makes the perfect teacher's pet, and once again this year, that's what she is. 

Kensington and Madeline after school on the First Day 2013

It's been fun to see Kensington and Madeline become little buddies all over again because now they ride the bus together.  Usually Raleigh takes on the role of "big sister" to everyone, but now it's Madeline's turn to be the wise, all-knowing-one.

Madeline, can you just stay nine years old forever??

Dear Teacher

"I kiss you and kiss you,

With arms round my own,

Ah, how shall I miss you,

When, dear, you have grown."

-- William Butler Yeats

Kensington, age 6
Second Week of Kindergarten

Dear Teacher,

Thank you for the opportunity to write to you about our daughter, Kensington.  She is so excited to be in your class this year.  Going to kindergarten is something she has looked forward to her whole little life!  We have waited an extra year for her to start because we sensed that she wasn't quite ready, having turned five the week before school began last year.

She has been at home with mom (attending a private preschool three times a week for half-days), so she does feel a bit nervous about starting, too.  She is a special, well-loved child in our home, and we think you will really enjoy having her in your class.

The first thing you will notice about Kensington is that she may seem shy or stand-offish when you talk to her.  This doesn't mean she doesn't like you.  She acts this way when she receives unwanted attention or is in the spotlight, or when she is receiving attention of which she has no control.  After she warms up a little, you'll find that she will be one of your happiest, most outgoing students.  She has a ready smile (dimples and cross bite included), an eagerness to learn, and she is a natural leader.  Her contagious laugh will win you over, and you will forget she was ever the quiet one.

She catches on quickly and lives wholly in the present, enjoying the people around her and whatever life is bringing at the moment.  She will take everything in, especially if her "love languages" are met.  She needs physical affection, little gifts and tokens of appreciation, and positive words of affirmation.

The best learning environment for her is a nurturing one.  She responds best to praise and encouragement, and she is motivated best when rewarded with "treasures."  When threatened with criticism, she shuts down pretty quickly because she is a pleaser and wants you to appreciate her efforts.  You will find that she is a quiet nurturer and a first-responder to those who need help.  She is happiest when she feels needed, and she has a lot to give.

Please help her to stay away from what our kids call "Sassy Girls."  She adapts well to the people around her, including the kids who might not be so nice, so we hope she can retain the good we try to teach her.  She can be a picky eater as well, and she has somewhat of a sweet tooth, which we are trying to curb at home, so please limit the amount of sweet treats she receives in class.

Please take good care of her.  The seven hours you have her at school is more than the six hours we get with her at home when she's not sleeping.  How quickly these years go by . . .

With gratitude,

Kensington's Mom and Dad

Three Years

We were at the doctor yesterday, and the nurse asked Emery what her name was.  Without skipping a beat, she replied, "I'm Pink Belle."

And Miss Personality is so excited for her "Pink Birthday Party" tomorrow.  I don't know if we'll have everything she's dreaming of . . . (pink cake, pink ice cream, pink candle with pink fire, pink cupcakes, pink kiwi juice, pink EVERYTHING) . . . but we hope she's tickled PINK with how much we love her and how excited we are to celebrate her little life.

Playing with Big Sister Raleigh

On the first day of school last week, after I shed about 30 seconds of tears, I told Dallas that we're just going to keep having kids forever because I miss having all of my little buddies at home!  Emery and I have had some nice one-on-one time since the older girls have been at school . . . but we sure miss the others when they're away.  

Here's Emery standing up in her chair declaring, "I'm the boss!" to every single older person in the room.  Ha!  Isn't that the lifelong desire of the youngest sibling?  Not for long, Emery!

"I'm the boss!"

We sure love you, Pink Belle.