Almost Ready for Florida

When Abby found out that Nagymama was taking us all to Disney World for the day during our Florida trip, she made a plan to start saving her money for a special souvenir. She did chores. She picked up any coins she found. She was quick to take any spare change off of her Daddy's hands. She asked family members if they needed any work done, so she could earn "coins". She sold old toys and books at our garage sale. She made deals with G-Diddy and Uncle Brad that if she finished her dinner on two separate occasions she would earn some cash. Businesswoman in the making? I wouldn't be surprised.

We gathered up all of her coins and headed to the Coinstar machine. It was rewarding for both of us to see the results of all of her hard work pay off and to see the excitement in her eyes as she realized those times she decided not to pay the ice cream man and instead pay her piggy bank were worth it.

All that hard work and delayed gratification means Abby saved...

$31.35 plus

 $3.00 =

$34.35 

Way to go, girl! 

Ella is also ready for Florida. Every time we got in the car this week she has asked us if we were going to "Mamama's house".  She wouldn't let me get her out of her car seat yesterday because she said she wanted Mamama to do it. This might be the best airport reunion in a long time!

She is also very eager to see Ayash in Florida. She might even bring her mitt.

In Summer...

Summer is in full swing at our house. As I write this, Joe is outside cutting the grass at 8:30 because it is still light out. Fresh cut grass...one of my favorite smells EVER. I love long summer days because without much effort they seem to be filled with fun. And, not fun that you have to try hard for, but the fun that comes from playing in the backyard for hours and imagining or the fun that comes from swimming all day and only stopping long enough to have a picnic dripping wet on your towel. The homemade popsicles and s'mores kind of fun.

Yesterday, we were in the backyard all day. We didn't come inside until after dinner on the deck. Just one more reason I love this time of year.

 Happiness is...

For fun, we thought up our Summer Bucket List 2014. Not because I feel the need to fill my girls' days with activities, but because it's fun. Our time with our kids is precious and I want to make memories with them that cause them to look back on their childhood with happiness. I want to be intentional with these days, not distracted. I want to splash in the pool with them, get dirty, run in the yard, say yes more than I say no. I read a blog post the other day that reminded me, "I hold the power to determine what my family's summer will look like based on my choices."  This summer, I want to  choose to live, laugh and love my family by being even more present and embracing the moments.

We have some family trips planned, but here's our bucket list for the unplanned days, the days when summer life just happens...

• a trip to Hoffman's
• making S'mores in the backyard
• potty training Ella
• bike rides 
• swimming like fish every chance we get 
• ice cream and bedtime stories in the hammock 
• the beach 
• creating our backyard water park (sprinklers, water table, water slides, slip and slide, pool and water balloons)
• paint rocks for the garden 
• berry picking 
• picnics
• play in the rain 
• make popsicles 

I can't write about summer without this happening in my head...(probably Ella's favorite Frozen song)

Weekend Fun and Daddy Day

This weekend, Abby and I spent Saturday morning together. She took me on my birthday date to get manicures and pedicures together.  I think she'd say her favorite part of the whole experience is picking the colors and chatting with everyone at the salon. She chose pink for her hands and sea foam green for her toes. The nail tech even painted some flowers for her!

 

We made a quick stop to pick up some new shades for Florida. She picked pink sparkly heart ones. 

The girls' sweet friend, Makena, turned five this weekend, so we headed to her Olaf summer birthday party that afternoon.The girls loved the excitement of the pinata and went to town when they were up to bat. Ella didn't really understand that she could fill her bag with candy when it exploded, so she picked up one tootsie roll and put it in her bag. My favorite part of the afternoon was watching Abby pick up a handful of candy and run over to put it in her sister's bag. I'm thankful for glimpses of that kind of love.

the birthday girl

snuggling with Miss Courtney

Sunday was Father's Day! I said it on Facebook, but I will say it again here. When I married Joe I never doubted the kind of father he would be, but I'm blessed everyday with new and surprising glimpses of how amazing this daddy is to our girls. They are loved like princesses and they know it. What a gift. We celebrated him with a morning at church as a family, a lunch of loaded nachos (if you know Joe you know why that speaks all kind of love to him), an afternoon of rest and time together in the yard, a command for him to not touch one dish in the sink all day (normally, he is the faithful dishwasher, while I am the faithful cook) and a dinner of steamed clams and his favorite caprese salad. He was a happy man. They were small tokens of our love that only skim the surface of how thankful we are for him on Father's Day and everyday. Daddy Joe (as Ella likes to call you), we love you!

And because I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my own daddy, I also shared this picture on Father's Day. He is a wonderful dad and Papa. My dad has always made life more secure with his love, constant encouragement and commitment to our family. There aren't enough wordy hallmark cards to convey it all for me on Father's Day. I love him so much.

We also celebrated G-Diddy from a distance and were thankful for a Facetime call with him later in the day. He has to be a pretty cool guy to let us call him G-Diddy, don't you think? We love you!

Snapshots

When Oliver doesn't want to go inside, he prostrates himself and refuses to move.

 

When Abby comes over to Oliver and sits down, he immediately runs right over and curls into her lap for some love. Ollie knows he is her baby.

Grammy, G-Diddy, Uncle Brad and Aunt Alex were driving through town last week and stopped for a quick dinner. Ella wore her sunglasses most of the time, while Abby wore Grammy's reading glasses. They make her feel all grown-up. Then, Ella seriously went to town, like a spoon in each hand serious, on a huge dessert.

Our neighbors came over the other day to ask if we had seen their outdoor kitty and Oliver's best friend, Mickey. He hadn't come home the night before and they wondered if he was missing. We hadn't seen him, but promised to keep our eye out. The next morning, I found Abby like this. When I asked her what she was doing, she very seriously told me she was watching for Mickey, to please not distract her because she was afraid if she turned away he might run by and she'd miss him. She has such a tender heart. Good news: Though we never saw Mickey as we watched for him, he did come home that day!

Abby and I have continued our special time together reading chapter books. First we read Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. Our second was Ribsy by Beverly Cleary and we just finished our third and favorite one so far....Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. This was a favorite of mine when I was a kid and I really enjoyed seeing Abby absorb all the details and imagine the magical world of Willy Wonka. We finished the book in record time too. We were done with it in less than a week. We followed that up with lots of popcorn and a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie date.

Abby's Dance Recital

Abby started taking dance in the fall and has loved every minute of it. I'm so thankful for the program and the wonderful teachers who not only teach her ballet, but who value dance in a way that honors God! Ella stayed in the back with me during class. Without me even realizing, she was picking up the moves and learning all the words to the song. She just didn't understand why she couldn't be out there dancing with her sister.

The class had been preparing two dances for the end of the year show and last Tuesday was their dress rehearsal. When I put the costume on Abby, she couldn't help but start twirling. It was beautiful and she was excited.

Thursday morning, the day of the show, we got ready by hanging the costume on Abby's door. She insisted it be out in the open, so she could look at it all day. 

Uncle Cory came up to spend the day with us and come to the recital. The girls enjoyed watching a movie and playing with him.

 

 At one point, Cory had to take a quick nap before the recital because he had to work the overnight shift at the police department that night. I tried to occupy the girls in the other room, but Ella was beside herself because all she wanted to do was "nunnle" (snuggle) Uncle Cory. "My DeeDee. I need him. Nunnle my DeeDee" Finally, I let her go and she climbed up on him like this. Abby and I were in the bathroom doing her nails and makeup for the show and Ella stayed just like this for at least 20 minutes. 

Grandma had planned on being there too, but wasn't feeling well the day of the show and couldn't make it.  She had been looking forward to the day for a while and was really disappointed that she had to miss it. She sent flowers to remind Abby she was thinking of her.When Abby woke up from her nap, she was thrilled to find colorful roses and a note just for her. Even Ella got a flower!

Abby got special phone calls from Nagymama and Grammy to let them know they were thinking of her on her big day! Papa sent a card with some "dollars" (as Abby would say) in it to say congratulations and sorry he had to miss it. It all made her day! 

Thanks Papa!

makeup on and loving it!

I'm pretty sure Abby wouldn't mind if every day was filled with extra sparkles, flower deliveries, cards, special phone calls, pretty lip gloss, a beautiful princess dress, dancing and a stage.

When we got there, I could tell she was getting a little nervous, but she didn't say much. Knowing Abby's personality, I was pretty sure no matter how nervous she was, when the time came she would get through the dance and do what she had to do. That is how she handles life especially when she is afraid. She does what she knows she is supposed to, but with a very serious face. 

I had a mommy moment when it was time for her to go with her teachers backstage. I dropped her off with Miss Margaret and gave her a big hug. Tears welled up in my eyes and she barely looked back. She was ready and skipped onto the elevator with Miss Margaret. 

 

 

We were left to comfort Ella who was hysterical ("My Abby. My Abby. Go with my Abby.") for her sister, but once we found our seats and started feeding her grapes, she settled down and was ready for the show to  begin! She introduced herself to everyone around us and chatted it up with some baby friends.

Ohhhh the cuteness! I can hardly stand it.

When the curtain went up and I saw my little big girl standing there, my heart could hardly stand it. It was such a sweet moment for me on so many levels. Abby did such a great job. When I asked her later why she didn't smile, she laughed and said, "Mommy, I couldn't smile because when the curtain opened there were like a thousand people watching me and I had to do my moves."  Do I know this girl or what? I adore her! She didn't have to smile. You can see the smile in her eyes.

first time on stage

Listen for Ella cheering on her big sister. She was so proud and wanted to everyone to know it. Ella also copied every dance by dancing in the space in front of our seats throughout the whole recital! I think she'll be ready for sign-ups next year.

When Abby came out from backstage during intermission, she was totally energized by her performance. We celebrated with a late dinner at Chipotle. Despite lots of celebratory chocolate milk, every one fell asleep almost as soon as we got home. It was a really good day!

Great job, Abby! We are so so proud of you.