9-27-15

Ryan signed Cora up for a month-long volleyball intensive... over Cora's objections. At the time I was a little upset with Ryan for forcing this on her. BUT turns out, the parents have to practice WITH the kids so she and Ryan have had fun with that. And it turns out she's pretty doggone good. The coaches have been using her when they demonstrate something and the main coach (who is the retired HS VB coach) came over to Ryan this week and asked which of the two high schools in town Cora would be going to. Ryan told him and he said "Good. She'll be in good hands there. She's going to be one to beat. I hope she sticks with it." I was so proud my little heart about burst. 

An Open Letter to Milly

So.  Here we are again.  For me - round 2.  For you - the brand new chapter.  I've been here before - and so this time things aren't quite as intense for me, quite as scary, quite as new.  Things are much more mundane, and wrote.  The drop offs, the pick ups, the classroom schedules, the staff, the homework, the folders, the lunches, the rules.  And I can't help but wonder as I'm working on getting both you and your sister out the door and off to your first days - if you're getting shortchanged?  I often feel this way about you.  Everything with your sister was a true FIRST.  It was new, and novel, and sometimes scary (even for mom and dad).  But with you, even when we want things to be special, we have another little person to consider who is off and going in another direction.  There is precious little chance to give you 100% of our full attention.

Of course with that comes some good things too.  Nothing probably seems quite as scary to you, because sister did it, and lived to tell the tale.  Nothing seems quite so lonely to you, because sister will be there ready to swoop in and help out.  And again I wonder:  does this help to make you who you are?  My little leader, my fearless one, my laid back kid who isn't really afraid of much?  Probably some.

But you are your own person.  In your own time and your own way.  You and your sister are very different people.  And so from that sense, I fear that of all the lessons I've learned, few will grant me wisdom to help you out.  In a way, the "new" will come to us both while looking through the lens of your constitution.

So, in keeping true to our family dynamic, the morning was a cacophony of "do you have ____" and "did you remember _____", and "what do you need for ______" hollered throughout the house.  When we finally got out the door we were a little more harried than the last time I made this fateful trip.  But, again, in keeping with our family, sister took you by the hand and told you "Don't worry Milly, I'll tell you where you need to go and I'll be waiting for you after school".  And in true Milly fashion, you bopped up the walk anxious to get to the next "new" thing - to make new friends, fall in love with your new teacher, learn new skills,

We arrived early enough that you and sister had to go to the gym instead of directly to your classrooms.  I worried that all the chaos within would break your slightly frayed nerves when I looked down at your face and saw that look - the one where you were smiling but with the corners of your mouth turned down ever so slightly - indication that the smallest thing could put you over the edge to tears.  I let sister walk you in, and then I waited.  After a few minutes I carefully peered into the gym and found you.  You gave me a smile and a wave. I blew you a kiss.  And that was that.  You were off and running with friends, both old and new.

This has been your way since the day you joined our little family.  Full speed ahead, no fear, laughing all the way.  I hope kindergarten lives up to your dreams. I hope that smile is on your face way more often than tears on your cheeks. I hope you get time to shine and feel special.  In a nutshell, I hope you continue to discover, develop, and display YOU.  Because by nature or nurture (or a healthy combination of both), you're wonderful.  Just like your sister before you.  But you're your own "you" - and I can't wait to watch you fly.

Love, Mom.

8-26-15

Milly: Mom, did you know your blood is actually blue. It only turns red when it hits the ostrich. 

8-15-15

Milly: Dad, can I ride Boomer after breakfast?
Ryan: What? No. No you cannot ride the dog.
Milly: (disgusted) Why do we even HAVE a dog then?

7-29-15

Those tender moments as a mom. When you are spending some quiet snuggle time with your littlest, and she gently puts her forehead against yours and softly says "Mom - have you bwushed your teef yet?" *womp womp*

7-18-15

Poor Milly had a bad afternoon. She had cleaned up her room, her closet, the basement, and the toy room - her dad said if she did, she'd get ice cream. BUT she hit her sister... so didn't get to go. That did NOT go over well. Poor thing sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. Finally in between teary hiccups she said "Mom, I don't like the way the Earth goes!"

6-12-15 (Annual Kiddo Questionnaire)

CORA:

Nicknames:  Coco, Cora Bora

How old are you?  8

What is your favorite color?  Aqua 

What is your favorite animal?  Horse!

What is your favorite book?  The BFG (by Roald Dahl)

What is your favorite TV show?  Maiko Mermaids

What is your favorite movie? Pocahontas

What is your favorite song? Taylor Swift - Bad Blood

What is your favorite food? Egg Noodles with curry and butter

What is your favorite drink?  Dr Pepper

What is your favorite breakfast food? Waffles with blueberry on top and whipped cream

What is your favorite snack? Oreo snack paks

What is your favorite outfit?  Short sleeved shirt and shorts and sneakers (no dresses!)

What is your favorite game?  Tag

What is your favorite toy? The egg in the pot (some "hatch a turtle" thing in water)

Who is your best friend?  Isabelle and Alli

What is your favorite thing to do?  Do horseback lessons

What is your favorite thing to do outside?   Chase Boomer

What is your favorite holiday? My Birthday! or Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?   My horse (embarassed)

Where is your favorite place to go?  Paris

What is your favorite restaurant?  Hibachi

Where do you want to go on vacation?  Paris

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Horse trainer

What do you want to do on your birthday?  Ride horses

What do you like about Mommy? Her love

What do you like about Daddy?  His love

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MILLY:

Nicknames:   Milly (Milly Moo, Silly Milly, Mills, General Mills, etc etc)

How old are you? 5!

What is your favorite color?  Aqua and purple

What is your favorite animal? Beavers cuz they're tiny an cute

What is your favorite book?  Bad Kitty

What is your favorite TV show? Dog with a blog

What is your favorite movie?  Book of Life

What is your favorite song?  All the Pretty Ponies (lullabye)

What is your favorite food?  Hot Dogs and french fries

What is your favorite drink? Juice so I won't get rabbit poops

What is your favorite breakfast food?  Frosting bars (cereal bars)

What is your favorite snack?  Fruit snacks

What is your favorite outfit?  Pink Maxi dress like Aunt Renee and My dress that is red with white spots on it that isn't very fat (??)

What is your favorite game?  The one with people in it that you set a lot of stuff with cities (?? - Disney Infinity)

What is your favorite toy? Mermaid Barbies

Who is your best friend?  Jacob and Amelia

What is your favorite thing to do?  My microphone back there (karaoke)

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play on the playset we have

What is your favorite holiday?  Summer

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?   The unicorn, kitty and that little tiny puppy

Where is your favorite place to go? McDonalds with the Playland!

What is your favorite restaurant? The place with the cooker right there (Hibachi )

Where do you want to go on vacation?  Adventureland and Disney World and Montana for Aunt Renee and Uncle Travis' wedding

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A mom

What did you do on your birthday?  Eat cake!

What do you like about Mommy?  That you say that you love me and you give me smooches!

What do you like about Daddy?  That he makes me yummy stuff and that he loves me too and he hugs me goodnight.