Monday, August 31, 2009

Angel

I must admit that throughout all of the excitement of a new school year and Shelly starting Kindergarten there has been a bit of sadness looming in my heart.

Nothing would make me happier than the days I would call my mom and share the news of picking out a new backpack for the girls or finding a super deal on a pair of school shoes.

Then there were the bigger discussions that we would share. Talking about how Shelly would handle leaving me and our days of fun to head off to school or discussing the enthusiasm that Lily has about school and her teachers. The talks would feel like big long distant hugs making me feel like I had my guardian angel there with me even though she was miles away.


And I suppose I still have that same angel with me during these important days, but as always, I wish she was here with me.
Me, Lily and Mom (June 2003)

Friday, August 28, 2009

Tea for Three

As I wandered around the house yesterday determining my new role as a mom of school aged children, I decided to create a little welcome home from school fun.
I set up the table with scrapbook paper place mats, china dishes, glass glasses, a Starbucks frappucino drink glass as a vase with crepe myrtle blooms in it, new school year cards for each girl, a little gift for each, and a plate of homemade Snickerdoodles and store bought chocolate chip cookies.




When the girls came home we sat at the table together eating cookies, sipping unsweetened iced tea with lemon and chatting about their day. They each had a turn discussing the day's events and we listened as the other told the story of their adventure. Once finished with our tea and cookies, we cleared the table and sorted through the folders and papers sent home. Both girls had homework and they sat across from each other and worked carefully and thoughtfully on their assignments.





Before bedtime Lily told me that she loved our tea for three and that she almost shed a tear during it. I wasn't sure if she was teasing me (as she often does about my frequent emotional displays) or if she really felt that way. So, I asked her and she kissed me on the cheek and said---"I really meant it, mommy".



Love.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

She's Off and Running...


She headed off for her big girl adventure without me today.Her sister was nearby to help and guide her along the path to a whole new world.But I was the one being left behind as they got on the bus and waved goodbye.


It's hard for me to imagine that this little person who sometimes seems like such a snuggly little baby girl is really a big 5 year old who can handle herself with ease and has so much spunk. When I asked her yesterday if she thought she might need me to help her get on the bus, she answered very matter-of-factly..."mommy my legs aren't broken". And she was right. She is fully capable of making all of these first big steps into the world without me.

I'm just not so sure I am ready to face the world without her by my side.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

First Days

Yesterday the girls had their first gymnastics class. It was so fun to watch them. Shelly cracked us up with her techniques on the trampoline and the balance beam. Oh, and she was constantly tucking in her panties into her leotard...quite attractive (see photos below). Lily looked confident and focused with her teacher Ms. Sydney. I am hopeful that each class will continue to be as much fun as the first.
Today was the first day of school. Lily woke up happy, had a great breakfast, and joyfully walked onto the bus. It was so nice to see such a smiley little girl head off to school for 4th grade. Once she arrived back home, she exclaimed that 4th grade is amazing!!! Can't ask for more than that!

Shelly's school does a staggered entry for Kindergarten. So, today she went to class for just 30 minutes. It was long enough to select a seat, pick her cubby, organize her supplies, color a picture, meet a new friend, and receive her homework. She was a bit shy, but was so happy about her new teacher and excited to return for a full day on Thursday.

Overall, it all surpassed my expectations. My worries and concerns are most often unfounded and my girls always seem to amaze me when they rise to the occasion and show off their terrific attitudes and sweet personalities. So proud of you both!!!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Off She Goes

Here I am waiting on the edge of excitement and complete fear. Where will the next few days and weeks take me? How will my little girl fare in this new big world of school and learning? As I anticipate all of the upcoming events in Shelly’s life I can’t help but reflect on her sweet little existence to this point.

Her birth was not a routine and easy one. She was in an awkward position inside my belly and the doctors decided her best entrance into the world would be via c-section. It wasn’t the way I had planned it. Nonetheless, there she was this little baby girl who immediately reminded me not of her father or Lily, but most definitely reminded me of my father. Her sweet little face and her dark blonde hair were reminiscent of my pop. She would favor the Ruesch side of the family unlike her big sister. A new path was developing and right off the bat I realized I had a different child than the first.

Shelly reminded me a bit of myself. She appeared to have the characteristics of the runt of the litter. She struggled with birthmarks that needed to be evaluated by a dermatologist. Shelly was forming a flat head due to positioning and required a doctor’s attention. She had difficulty walking (and finally did so at 22 months old). She was recommended for speech evaluation. And her biggest obstacle to overcome would be her potty training issue. Shelly is shy and reserved---a trait she shares with her mother.

Each day I am reminded of her fun loving and easy going spirit. She is an easy child to parent who goes with the flow and has definitely made our family complete. We have silly nicknames for her and we all protect her and love her more than anything.

As I think about her future, I hope that she will be brave and happy in life and will tackle the challenges that are put in front of her with ease. So, on Thursday she will get on the school bus and head off to a day of school. Her sister will be there with her to add comfort and love. I will wave as they leave me and I assure you I will cry. But, I am excited for Shelly and what lays ahead of her---new experiences, new fun, and new friends. This new phase will revolutionize our family and I think we could all use that right about now.


My sweet little baby girl at 2 years old:

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Organizing, Preparing, Renewing---

And that must mean we are almost ready. Ready for a new school year. We have been busy organizing areas of the house in preparation for the changes ahead. Today we tackled the craft/homework center in the cabinet in our kitchen. Things are now labeled and ready for use. The girls and I even got together and had a little inservice on WHERE THINGS GO!!!

Next we moved on to labeling all of the many school supplies that the girls need for school and for their teachers. Then we packed it all up and hung the bags on their proper hooks in the hallway. We also put the lunch bags and drink containers out to admire them.






Over the past couple of months we have been busy working on some projects. The first one was the bike that my sister-in-law and mother-in-law gave me when we were in VB. We brought it home and John diligently sanded it, primed it, spray painted it watermelon pink, and then sprayed the sealer on it. When it was done, I loved it!!! He did such a fabulous job on it and I am so happy that for $20 I got the perfect beach cruiser in the perfect color.


Another project was a new daybed for Lily's room. I bought the bed on Craigslist for $60. I forgot to take a before photo, but it looked something like this, but in much worse condition:




So, I got to work on sanding it and then began spray painting it Ocean Breeze Blue. John had to help me out a bit, but I felt pretty good about it all when it was finished. I also spray painted the gold accent pieces a silvery color. Here it is in Lily's room:




Once this change was accomplished it meant moving Lily's full size bed out of her room and then into Shelly's room. Putting this bed in Shelly's room meant that I could pull out the quilt that my mom made for the bed when Lily was little and have it back on display. Here's a view of Shelly's new bed in her room:

So, as all of the summer fun is coming to an end, we are eagerly preparing for changes and new phases in our lives. We are excited for what's ahead.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Listen

My mom was a great listener. Actually, she was the best listener I know. I have always gone to her to talk and she would always encourage our chats. Right now I feel such a huge void in my life. I miss talking to her and hearing in her voice the answers that were filled with love and good advice. My mom really understood me and cared about our conversations. She could offer suggestions without being pushy with her opinion. And her advice was rarely wrong. I have so many things I want to discuss with her and although I could chat for hours with the heavens hoping she could hear me, the lack of response and the silence would be deafening. I miss you mom.
A photo of my mom from my phone---she was listening to me and my sister talk one summer afternoon

Monday, August 17, 2009

Georgia

We spent a wonderful long weekend with John's aunt and uncle in Canton, Georgia. We were lucky enough to go to the American Girl store in Alpharetta. The girls loved it so much! Lily was able to take a gymnastic class at Leni's daughter's gym.
Here's Lily with her instructor---Erin, Leni's granddaughter: We all went to their neighborhood pool and had a blast on the slide and under the splash umbrella. On our way out we headed into Atlanta and took a tour of the Coke museum, walked through the Olympic park, and had lunch at The Varsity. Super fun.