2009

The things I worried about in 2009: How would Maddie do in Kindergarten? IS she ready? Should I have done more to prepare? I did not TEACH my daughter, was that ok? Where will Danny go for preschool? Is his speech developing on track? Could there be a pickier eater? How did I create this? Can it be undone? Will I ever lose my baby weight? Will there ever be enough money? Is there ever enough time? Do I yell too much? How will I fit exercise into my life? Should I update my BLOG more? etc. etc. etc.
THE RESULT: All the worries in the world did not change my reality. There is one simple answer for all the worries above, and it really is BE HAPPY. Creating that reality for my children, a safe space where they can feel free to just be happy allows them to develop and grow and learn and do. No matter what random day I decide to question if it is enough- within 24 hours I conclude, once again, that it is. We are not perfect parents, but these kids are happy. So despite the tears and the fears and the frustration I have realized the simple truth....
I am not creating or doing or teaching or preparing their reality. I am a force and a presence in their world (a big one I admit) but THEY will be who THEY will be. My worries didn't make their lives better. My active choice to live and be present in their lives gave them the opportunity to live their lives and that is when they got to find their happiness. Yes they are young, but many, many things did not go as I had planned them this year and once again
THE RESULT: Maddie loves kindergarten, Danny loves Mini Bees (a program that didn't even exist when I began my worrying and now has become a twice weekly "Danny's School") they still eat like toddlers but they are healthy and strong. They have taken life into their own hands- Maddie with her passion for animals, Danny with his compassion for babies. Maddie with her acceptance of all types of people, Danny with his energy and enthusiasm. Maddie calling it like it is, and Danny asking me, "You happy mommy?" Don't worry, when he has just pulled his sister's hair my answer is no, but when no hair pulling is involved, I want that answer to be yes! What a waste of time if too often it is no. LIFE does not always need to be 'happy" but if that is not the energy we are seeking, then what's the point? My kids are teaching me that. In fact, I am the one with so much to learn. SO, as far as the other questions....the baby weight is gone, but the workouts need to come along. The yelling is too much (because yelling never helps) but decreasing day by day. The money is just one of those things to put in proper perspective, remembering to be thankful that I sit in a warm house with clean clothes and plenty of food typing on a beautiful computer that I am worried about money. And the BLOG....well, if you love me you will always keep reading.

TODAY is...

TODAY is...

a chance to laugh, and another chance to sing.

a place where we find happiness and a place where we find joy.

a moment to sit in awe of two little people becoming their own.

a heartbeat, a blip, a blink of an eye...24 hours and then it is done.

a memory to savor or to bury with the past.

another chance to say I LOVE YOU.

TODAY is what we will remember, or what we will forget. The choice is ours.

TODAY is what we make it, and tomorrow is a brand new TODAY.

SOCCER

Back for another round, Maddie is playing soccer again. She is the player on the farthest left. A nice little action shot considering that often she and most of the other players can be found staring off like the next picture.

She gets excited for the games and even practice, but it is clear that for Maddie the best part about team sports is being part of the team! (In other words, she likes to be social :)

GO FLAMES!!!

HEY MOM!!! It was my first day too!!

My dear Danny boy...sooo the second child. It is also his nature not just his birth order, but the boy just goes - with the flow, with the rhythm of the music, with whatever moves him! So, when we showed up to his Mini Bees preschool he was ready to go, and really ok with me not being a part of it.

"Danny's School" is what he calls it. I once had a mom tell me she had to put her second child in preschool. I didn't get it. But when Danny was at his Mini Bees Orientation he didn't even make eye contact as he said, "Go Bye Bye Mommy." It was clear he had no intention of coming with me.

The boy is a mover, as Kim always recalls! From the moment he could roll he rolled til he bumped into something. School is no exception! He had no time to pose for a photo and barely acknowledged me as I said goodbye. I am so proud of the independent spirit that has emerged even more defined than before...especially with the increased vocabulary. His favorite phrase of the day according to his teachers was, "You did it!"

To celebrate this fantastic day of firsts, the carpool team of Grammie and Pop picked up Danny and waited for Maddie and I to join them at Chuck E Cheese. Three of us ate pizza...Danny just wanted to play!

We had such a beatiful day!

First Day of School

The Day HAS Arrived!!! Our dear Madelyn Grace is off to Kindergarten.

I was keeping it together by not looking at any of the other moms and not actually saying the words My Daughter is in Kindergarten.

Maddie and Ethan have grown together from Kindermusik to Kindergarten...my how time flies!

Although Laura and I were very proud of our big kids, we still shared moments of anxiety and fears...we just shared them alone, just us two, at the mall, with some Starbucks!!

(However, there is a picture of the two of us peeking through the fence of the Kindergarten playground...that's going to end up in a PTA slideshow someday.)

Last Day of Summer

Daniel seemed to realize that when sister goes to school his ability to enjoy a FUN FRIDAY will be limited!

Maddie just wanted to hang on to summer and the preschool years of freedom for as long as she could.

Daniel considered drastic attack measures to limit our ability to escape from fun Friday's. But, to no avail, because anyone can see that this is the face of girl ready to take on the world of Kindergarten and beyond!

State Fair 2009

State Fair and we always have to go there- despite sweating like the pigs that don't sweat and drinking our weight in water. This year was cooler than last, but I had two kids with an opinion, so that made the day a little bit tricky. CANDY NATION was a favorite pit stop. We left with a few jelly bellies, a little bit of saltwater taffy and a visual of the many, MANY PEZ dispensers that exist.

Two kids, together, smiling...need I say more?

Once again...need I say more?

This was my favorite photo from the day! OH they really are cute aren't they?

GONE BABY GONE!!

To be perfectly honest, in the world of blogs I was GONE BABY GONE! My last post was in April-cyberspace translation, ancient. I could tell you all about my computer woes and busy life but it means nothing. Why bore you! If you are actually reading this you have returned. And, for that, I thank you! So let's enjoy the real stars of the show- Maddie the Maddog and our dear Daniel Dannyboy.

Scroll on! I have 5 new posts and I promise there will be more soon (and not Cindy 4 months soon, but truly soon).

PS Turn up the sound...I have a new playlist!

Freeze Dance

This video captures freeze dancing, with a touch of "yell at my brother" and a finale of roll around with no purpose or just go sit on a horse. Good times, good times.

NOTE: To stop my background music hit the pause button on the Treasure Every Day Playlist. (You can also scroll the list to pick a different song.)

Luke, I am Your Father!!!

The love of Star Wars runs deep. The battle between father and son rages on. As light sabers swish and swirl, and hopefully do not touch Aunties furniture.

Daniel's sister, whom he has always known is his sister, comes to his aide. But it is not enough to defeat Darth Derek. Fear NOT!!! The cousins have arrived, including resident Star Wars expert Jake, and victory will once again belong to the Rebel Forces!!!

In Star Wars, like in life, the determined and persistent rebels tend to eventually get their way.

4th of July

Our 4th of July tradition is Rancho Murieta at Grammie and Pop's. It has also become a tradition to take a picture in the holiday hats!

The holiday dessert that all have come to expect is Grammie's sherbet watermelon. Accompanied (but not pictured) with Grandma's cookies, it is Maddie's most vivid memory-mentioned in all, and I mean ALL recaps and discussions regarding 4th of July.

Although Danny loves a party, he happily waved goodbye as we left for fireworks, due to his brief encounter with the ones we purchased and lit in the street. Considering the spectacular event that is RM's Fireworks display, it was a good thing he stayed home.

MAUI- The Next Generation

One of the beautiful things about cousins is they get to travel beside you through your childhood journey. They pop in and out, as moments allow, changing like the waves change the shore, but still brought back to you by the currents of love and friendship. When you are lucky, you get to spend a few moments building sand castles ...castles that will burn bright in your memories for as long as the moon controls the tide.

MAUI

Surrounded by family, showered in sunshine, listening to the ocean and smiling all the time! Except at the Luau, Danny was not smiling at the Luau :)

The Rocky Dance

Danny asks for "Rocky Dance" whenever he sees an ipod. Maddie loves to be part of the action, and Daniel will come and ask her to,"Rocky dance".

How appropriate that Maddie talks about flying, since the actual title to the famous song is "Gonna Fly Now".

Fishing!

The family enjoyed a sunny Saturday and joined my Aunt and Uncle on a tour of their property. Danny took an up close look at their future driveway, but recovered faster than the adults around him! Then almost all of the kiddos, with help from my cousin Mark, did some fishing!

Maddie with the pro-fisher stance!

Petra, smiling for the camera!

Jake and Mark baiting the hooks!

The only catch of the day, and it now lives in my sister and brother in law's pond!!!

All Natural Fun!

Maybe Danny is playing in the water, or Maddie is playing in the rain.

Or maybe they are planting in the garden, enjoying Spring coming again.

Whatever the reason might be, one thing is perfectly clear...no toy on earth will ever beat Mother Nature and all she holds dear!

Cousins

We have been blessed with so many people who love us, and there is something truly special when those people are our cousins! Jake, age 8, Daniel, age 2.

PURE JOY!!! Check out these faces! That's Cade in the back, another special friend...having a blast like all of them!

Girls can be crazy too!!! THis is one time I am happy our girls were NOT successful with their ambitious goal...that could've been ugly.