Getting into Summer Mode

Things slowed down a lot this week. Women's bible study ended, homegroup is on break for the summer,  ballet recital finished, piano recital over....wow, lots ending at the same time. Which means this week has been so relaxed. The last two days we have just been hanging around the house. The kids are loving the hot weather to play outside. I have been working on laundry and cleaning that got backed up while the beginning of May was so busy. 

 I made this corn chowder that was AMAZING! It was based off of Pioneer Woman's recipe which you can find on her blog. I tend to take recipes and add stuff or change it a little bit. So I actually have no idea what ended up in this, but the base recipe was so incredibly good and Shane and I couldn't get enough of it!

 We did a new window treatment in the kitchen. I am getting a tutorial ready. It involved drawer pulls, multiple trips to home depot for the correct screws, but Hubby came to the rescue and was able to pull it together. This pic is when he got the first curtain up.

School is looking a lot more like this than sitting in the schoolroom. We are down to just reading, math, and bible/character which we do all year round.

Peace and Quiet

One night I just wanted to have total quiet. So after the kids went to bed I went in my room and pulled up Miss Marple episodes on netflix and worked on a blanket I am making for our bedroom. And yes, I felt like an 80 year old woman knitting in bed, but it was so relaxing. And Shane had fun watching some movie that we have watched a hundred other times and involved a lot of violence. Sigh...

Sometimes as moms we need a time out. And this one was mine.

Sweet Beauty and Grace

Avery had such a fabulous time with her ballet class at their recital this year. The girls really had lots of time to bond and be silly.

 My girl is growing up! 7 years old and she is becoming such a beautiful sweet girl. She had more grace than Ellie and I could ever hope to have combined! And she is so kind and accepting of new kids in her classes.

 Jazz hands!

 Her best friend Halle got to come hang out with us for the day. Hopefully Halle will be dancing next year too!

 Daddy always brings his ballerina flowers after the show.

Holding Her Back...

I confess. I don't want my baby to grow up. I knew back in December she was ready to pottytrain. I knew she probably wouldn't miss her pacifier. And there was no way I was ready to send her to preschool. But I have realized that she is ready for all of this. And it doesn't matter that it breaks my heart that she is growing up. Ultimately, moms have to constantly sacrifice. And this time I am sacrificing the desire to still have my baby a baby. Ugh, motherhood can be hard. But these moments, when I know I can't be selfish and let go a little bit. Pretty much stink.

So we are pottytraining and she is doing great. There are only a couple of pacifiers left that she keeps biting holes in, so when the last one is mutilated that's it no more. And after a message from the preschool asking if I would sign Ellie up since they had an opening? Well, yes Lord, I am listening. If that isn't a sign for me to let her grow up then I don't know what is!

Now I am going to sit and cry for a minute...