little fasionista

She loves my shoes. And I should clarify - not my comfy sandals or running shoes. Heels every time!



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summer camp

'summer camp' brings to mind thoughts of fun-filled days with friends, playing in the sun, and a carefree spirit - that should be exactly what your summer consists of when you are 6... Which is exactly why we signed Kirstin up for summer camp and why I was so excited for her! When your summer itinerary consists of swimming, creek exploration, crafts, nature hikes, playing in the park, trying out your acting skills, visits from the sno-cone truck, and building forts, what could go wrong?

Then I started going through the paperwork of what to bring and hearing the 'tips' from seasoned camp moms - and that's when I got a little worried. Not about Kirstin or camp really, but about the potential amount of sand that would be coming home (they are swimming at the local 'beach' some days), packing a lunch everyday (how many ice packs does it take to keep a lunch cool in Kansas in the summer?), and what exactly would the contents of a 6-year-old-who-spent-her-day-with-nature's backpack look like?!

After pondering all that (and more) I decided that could all make one for one not-so-fun summer for mom... Or, I could just ignore that and go back to that first part about all the fun stuff. So I made myself a mental list of 'summer rules'.

1) I will not freak out about the sand dumped out of shoes into my entryway. That will remind me that Kirstin spent her afternoon playing on the beach with her friends.

2) The creek shoes (or wet swimsuit and towel) might be gross to pull out of the bag, but they will remind me of so many summer days spent playing in the creek while I was growing up - memories that are special treasures now. (I'm also thankful so far pretty much everything has made it into the extra bag for wet stuff I sent along.)

3) The dirty, sno-cone stained shirt and shorts might never come clean in the end, but they were $5 from old navy - I was planning for this when I bought them. I'll remind myself that I actually like the idea of my girly-girl playing in the dirt and findings bugs and worms - and she is enjoying it too.

4) I might be tired and stressed at the end of the day when I pick her up, but if she's excited to show me the sandbox or forts they built (or other particular feat that was accomplished during camp that day), I will trek down the path with her (in my heels no less) and ooh and ahh proudly at the masterful fort building. Again, how many recesses did we spend at St. John's building forts in the trees? This is good stuff.

5) When we 'lose' a jacket, water bottle, and sunscreen all in the first week of camp (yes they were all labeled with her name!), I'll gain a new appreciation for lost and found (amazingly, all found!), and remind myself to compliment her on the days she does remember everything (placing my bets on positive reinforcement).

6) I will not get upset when I open the lunch box to find a half-eaten pudding cup that was 'saved for later in case I got hungry'. You can imagine what that looked like. She was planning ahead, right? A run through the sink for cleanup and a request to 'just throw the open pudding away next time - they have snacks at camp' will do. Now 'what yummy lunch are we packing for tomorrow?' - reminding her to pick out items from all food groups and smiling inwardly that a simple peanut butter sandwich still makes her happy. (We are halfway through summer and still she's having a daily pb sandwich - no 'j'.)



And how am I doing so far on my 'rules'? I'm proud to say pretty well actually. (The pudding thing almost got me, I'll admit.)

So this is the picture that has come to define summer camp for me - a daily backpack of dirt, sand, wet clothes and all - and reminds me to smile anyway and think about the fun that went into creating this mess.

My conclusion is that summer camp for Kirstin has also been a good thing for mommy - you only have one summer being six, better make the most of it. You also only have one summer when you're 32 - might as well make the most of that one too.


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Bird Watch 2011 update

Four baby robins have hatched! Kirstin was so excited, though she didn't know 'what all that chirping is about?!'. She also commented that they were 'so cute'. Personally I have to disagree on that front, but it is fun to have them somewhere we can watch them grow! (sorry the picture is a little fuzzy)

"you know they're going to eat our garden..."

Was all we could say about the baby bunnies we found while cleaning up flower beds this weekend. I had found momma bunny earlier in the day... I'm sure she is ready to enjoy a garden snack too. But they were so cute... So three days later we are still watching baby bunnies, too.




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our little helper

Kaydence is proving herself to be a busy little helper already. She also has a special affection for Lexi. Which has led to her daily ritual of helping feed "dog!". Actually, if we'd let her, she would feed Lexi 3 or 4 times each evening after we get home. We have a hard time convincing her to go inside without letting her feed "dog!". So I guess we will just enjoy the helpfulness while it lasts!

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Lilacs

Grandpa's white lilacs are blooming. We have an arrangement on the kitchen table to enjoy their wonderful scent. And I've spent quite a few moments simply admiring them this week.

I have many fond memories related to these beautiful flowers - starting as a child with the bushes at home where I used the leaves to make mud pie sandwiches. They were the perfect size! I knew when we moved into our home that I wanted lilacs in our yard (no other leaf would be the same to teach my future kiddos to make mud pie sandwiches!). I wanted purple and white to plant by the back fence We found more varieties than I had ever imagined, but not white ones. Ever resourceful, grandpa dug up some wild white lilacs back home, potted them, and they came 'home' to be planted in KC. He later told us where he had found them so we could plant a few more.

While we did later find other lilacs in white at nurseries in town, to me they aren't nearly as beautiful or fragrant as grandpa's lilacs. Each spring I have a reminder of a very special, beautiful person who meant so much to so many; and he is right there when I'm enjoying his lilacs.




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bird watch 2011

While planting petunias in the flower box of the girls' swing set, I was surprised by a stormy flutter of wings behind me. A momma robin (who was none too happy with my presence) had once again built a nest inside the playhouse area of the swing set. I couldn't believe she was back! (She tried last year and while we did so good for so long at leaving her alone, there were too many curious little hands here at Kirstin's bday party last year - the eggs didn't make it...)

So we begin bird watch 2011, waiting for our two little eggs to hatch. Can't wait to show Kirstin!

the plan

To begin, I'm a planner. Love to plan. The process of planning makes me happy. Crossing off tasks as a plan progresses makes me even happier. (I'm one of those people who after completing a task that wasn't written on my to-do list, writes it down just to cross it off - there's just some strange satisfaction in that. Can't explain it.) If I have a process or a plan there is a sense of comfort, calmness - and of direction. I'm sometimes a bit out of my element when 'flying by the seat of my pants'. Now I'll admit my plans don't always go as intended... most of the time I can adapt. (Most of the time.) If I can adapt by tweaking the plan or making a new plan, that helps. =o)

Today was also my last day with Grant Thornton, a transition which was also causing me to revisit various points and decisions to date in my life (my master plan, which seems to be ever-evolving). My day started over breakfast with a colleague from one of my clients - a colleague who happens to be in the role I hope to be doing in a few years for my new company. After catching up on various personal and professional areas over breakfast (everything from job transitions, job histories, kids, professional organizations and networks, local charitable boards we serve on, and April being Child Abuse Awareness month - we hit on a variety of topics), it hit me that my experiences the few years have been so varied and yet perfectly fitting for the next stage of my career. Beyond that, the personal networks I've developed to date are so key too. And every person I've spoken with regarding my upcoming new job and transition has been supportive, optimistic, and eager to help in any way.

So with all that in mind, I had a revelation today, a revelation that shouldn't have been that big of news as I've heard it all my life; but somehow today really hit home with me. While walking to my car I realized that I was right where I need to be at this point in my life - and I really didn't make that plan. God did. I just sat and thought about that for a while. Life has thrown a few curveballs our way - things that were most certainly not in my plan. But we adapted. And all along, unbeknownst to me, we were going right along with His master Plan. So I guess I'll continue down the path ahead, trusting there is a perfect Plan in place, even if it differs from mine. =o) That changes a perspective a bit, to say the least.

Spring glorious spring!

Planted garden today and boy was it great to be outside playing in the dirt. The girls helped plant... What a difference a year makes! Kirstin wrote out all our plant marker labels this year and even Kaydence got in the planting game. She helped with the peas - was quite adamant that she was going to plant them right where she stood in the middle of the row. Put one in her palm, she'd turn her hand over and drop it on the ground... And then look up with a proud grin. So of course we gave her more to plant. :)

So now we will cross our fingers the storms coming through don't wash out all our hard work.

Helping daddy unload beans

Kirstin was excited to help... And Kaydence was not about to be left out!

Kindergarten (42 photos), by Melissa Ryan

Kindergarten Pics

Well Doug and I are officially parents of a kindergartener. (I am convinced that at least some of the last 5 years snuck by when I wasn't looking.) It's been an exciting last couple of days around our house. Kirstin has been so looking forward to starting kindergarten - and she was super excited this morning.

She and I spent yesterday together - mommy/Kirstin day!: sleeping in, pancakes & waffles for breakfast (thank you, Eggo), dropping off Kaydence at Miss Jennifer's, taking her supplies to school during open house and meeting new friends and Mrs. Hess - her new teacher, meeting Daddy for lunch and dining at Kirstin's restaurant of choice - McD's!, an afternoon playing at the swimming pool with mommy and other new friends who had the day off before kindergarten, an ice cream sundae with whatever toppings she chose (gummy worms and sprinkles), picking up Kaydence and receiving 'good luck' wishes from Miss Jennifer and Miss Anne, grilling hot dogs and smores (again, Kirstin's menu request), playing soccer and visiting with neighborhood friends, getting ready for bed, and daddy reading our new book 'how much is a million' (she is so into math/numbers right now - this is an awesome book!), then off to dreamland. Whew. What a day - a Perfect Day!

And today was great, too - Kirstin was super excited to start Kindergarten and we were excited for her - and Kaydence went with the flow as she normally does... so thankful she's pretty laid back! From all reports tonight she had a great day, complete with highlights including two bus rides ("and two more tomorrow!"), a visit to the art room, and corn dogs for lunch.

We dropped her off at Monticello (before/after care) to ride the bus (a highlight of going to school in Kirstin's book - she's been asking to ride the bus since she was three; I distinctly remember the first time she asked and my response that she would do that when she was five.... all along thinking to myself that that was years away!). She beamed as she got in line and walked on the bus with the other kids - a simple wave to mom and dad and she was off without a moment's hesitation. (yes, I am thankful for this - don't think I could have taken it had she not wanted to go! her excitement helped mommy control the waterworks - Doug even told me he was proud of me... he, too, was expecting serious tears I think.)

...so of course we followed the bus to Mize, as planned. All smiles as she got off the bus, a quick hug for mom and dad and a kiss for sister and she was off again into the classroom, backpack in hand and raring to go! The classroom was a buzz with kiddos and parents and she was perfectly happy with a 'we love you, have a good day', and a wave good-bye! She was ready to start to work with those new crayons. So instead of tears, I'm going to take a moment to enjoy the pride that so far (despite a few crazy moments) we have raised an ambitious, curious, spirited, wonderful little girl. Hope the next five years are just as wonderful as the last... (ok, here come a few more tears).

Beaver Lake 2010

A video of good times on Friends' Vaca 2010 at Beaver Lake... though Kirstin informed me "this isn't really a movie because it's just pictures - it doesn't move!" We're going to call it a movie anyway. She enjoys watching it well enough so I'm going to politely ignore her critique. =o)

Birthday Circus

Pics from Kirstin's birthday circus - what a day!! The weather didn't cooperate but we had a good time anyway - who knew you could have a circus in the garage?! Kirstin had a ball and we appreciate everyone who helped make it a special day for her!

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Kirstin Graduation

A video of Kirstin's preschool graduation - too cute!!

Jan-March 2010 (40 photos), by Melissa Ryan

I'd like to share my Walmart Digital Photo Center photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Chocolate

Today at Miss Jennifer's bridal shower Kirstin enjoyed her first taste
of chocolate from Andres, a Swiss chocolatier on the plaza. A thin
wafer cookie piled with a 'mountain' of chocolate mousse covered in
milk chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate detail. Heaven on a
plate... And it didn't last long!

naptime?

Nap time/quiet time didn't quite go as planned... The big one slept and the little one snuck books into her crib and played. Silly girls!











Wake up sister!

Cookie Party

12-18-09:  Our friends Morgan and Payton (and mommy's friend Kara) invited us to a cookie decorating party - such fun and the frosting was so yummy!  The girls had a great time decorating and playing; after decorating (and more than a few taste-tests of the cookies and frosting) they built a big fort behind the couch and made flashlight shapes on the walls. 


Thanks for the fun time, Kara!


Pictures

Family Pics

Here's pics from our family photo session in December, including Kaydence's 1 month pics.  We had a photographer come to our house to take the pics - we didn't have to go anywhere and we got some fun shots in our home, including Kaydence in the bassinet and the girls in Kirstin's room.  Enjoy!

Photo Session Pics

From the mouth of Kirstin...

At dinner tonight: "daddy there are three girls at our house and only one boy" ( as if he needs reminding) "you could be friends with one of my boy friends".
Doug playing along:"you have boyfriends?!"
Kirstin: "yes but I don't kiss them."

Well I guess that's a good thing but where did that come from?!