Adjustments all around

As Evie gets used to wearing her helmet….. Jason is going to get used to being called, “D-a-a-son.” It’s unfortunate when you spend your weekend around folks calling Jason’s name every two seconds and then you hear from your own backseat:

“Where’s D-a-a-son?”
“Bye D-a-a-son!”
“Lub you, D-a-a-son.”
"D-a-a-son at woork?"

So much sass at such a young age.

And so it begins...

My girl started a new school year today....

She's so shy, meek and mild, don't you think??

She's not shocked, nor are my cabinets that short, she's just that tall.

She was such a big help getting her cubbie packed (while her mom wiped away tears-at least one of us was mature and got busy)....

Today was an adjustment- for mom more than child. I may or may not have shed a small bucket of tears this morning as we took a sharp right instead of our typical sharp left. I may or may not have purposefully dressed her in that monogrammed outfit so they would know her name and not get her confused.

We got to see one of our most favorite people as we signed in, a small glimmer of hope that the world had not ended, but opened a new chapter instead. We'll I'll be strong.

Happy first day of school, girlie! I'm sure I'll look back at these pictures in what will seem like a few short days before you start your next year and be totally shocked!

102

Dear Time- We have such a love/hate relationship, don’t we?! Wow. You just LOVE to fly by and leave memories!

(this may be the longest post yet)

So, today is QUITE a bittersweet day for ME! Evie will be fine, as will Jason….. I may never be the same. All kidding aside, we’re closing a special, sweet chapter today. Really, I’m not sure where the “sweet” comes into the equation because I’m sad. All I can think of is “sweet” comes from the fact that this chapter has formed sweet memories, amazing accomplishments for the Miss, precious friendships and bonds which leave us amazed and thankful for Evie’s school, more importantly her teachers. Today, is her last day in our beloved Room 102. Sigh. See, Evie’s school’s schedule is similar to big school in that they start a new year in August and everyone graduates to a new class. My “baby” officially becomes a toddler-on the books- as she moves into the “2’s.” Here is where I fight with time. How has time gone so quickly? How is she almost two? How is it time to already be leaving Mrs. Shelley and Mrs. Donna. It doesn’t matter, quite frankly, because these have been the best two years of our lives. Last year as we prayed earnestly about where to put Evie because, for our family, it was best that I continue to work, I never dreamed of how the Lord would be SO real and work out our daycare plans SO clearly. I’m a mom and the tiniest love of my life spends her day away from me, so, of course, it’s a struggle (with no help from the comments I get about why we choose for her to be in 'group care' or why I choose to continue working) to think of what place could be “worthy” enough to keep her. It is NOT unlikely for the waiting list at her school to be two years, in fact, that seems to be common. Therefore, I didn’t even battle with getting on the waiting list originally. It kept being brought up to me in conversation, as I passed by, etc. I finally felt like I should AT LEAST just make a call. I prayed about it for a week before doing so……. it shouldn’t come as ANY shock to me-as I still sit here shocked-that the Lord very much went before us and planned a path for EB at the early learning center sponsored by my company (that within itself is a blessing). I called, they had an opening for a little girl and had nothing but boys on the waiting list. Within three days we were enrolled and DYING for August to get here so she could start this program.

Fast forward a year…….. This year has been NOTHING short of endless blessings to Evie, to me as her mom and to our family. It has been made clear to us time and time again that we are where we are supposed to be. Yes, her facility is wonderful, we think the world of it, but it has to do with her teachers. They were placed in our lives at exactly the right time. The Lord knew what I needed (as the emotional one of the family), what Evie needed, and blessed us with the “ladies of 102” as I lovingly call them. I miss Evie all day long every day. I think about her constantly and wonder what she’s doing..better yet, what she’s gotten into. She is definitely one of the most “spirited” children in that room. Notice I didn’t say I worry… I haven’t worried about her one time since last August. Every morning I hand over my most precious earthly possession and walk out of that building with a wonderful peace. So, I think you get the point….. You know me, I LOVE to skip down Memory Lane ever so often, so let’s go...

EB's class had their end of the year party at McDonalds earlier this week (hence, the above pictures). They gave us a fun collage of what I like to call "A year in review."They also gave us a HUGE stack of pictures that were taken throughout the year. They were SUCH a precious gift as I flipped through and got a glimpse into the classroom during the day.

This year was foundational on so many levels. I've had so many people say, including us, "they make them grow up so fast." That may seem true, but they are equipping them. One year (or less) may be so tiny, but if I've learned anything, I've learned to never underestimate that tiny little mind. Evie is one of the most curious babies I've ever been around (not always a plus) and I knew I needed to get her in a place that would harvest that and engage her.

First of day of school Aug. 2009

We went from a tiny chunk of gummy smiles who, bless her, had her paci, bottle and baby food taken away almost before she could blink and sleeping on a nap mat at 8 months. To a lively, talking in phrases, counting (her poor math skills she got from her mom), jumping, potty training, spirited, somewhat [at times] mannerly almost 21 month old. It's amazing. What a difference a whole year makes.

Last day of school Aug. 2010

So, we welcome another year. We do. We really do. 102 has a special place in our hearts because it was a place that transitioned us, taught us and grew us as parents. Next year will be exciting on new levels-- I have "helmet" on my to do list for this weekend. As IF my child needs a reason to be any more adventurous. It's exciting. I'm thrilled over the goals they've established for this next year. Next year holds so much fun as language is developed, we inch closer to being diaper free and we start learning more independence, but our hearts will miss Mrs. S and Mrs. D. They have beeen adopted into our family as friends, mentors and when I ask EB who her friends are or who she loves at school, she thinks and quickly responds, "SheShe" or "Nonna" without blinking an eye. I'll have to say, I do agree, sweet growing baby girl!!

What a year!! So, here's to our 1.5 days of summer. Monday, we'll meet you in full force with helmet in tow!

Ribbons and bows

Exhibit A: Do you see this simple white bow? Exhibit A cost me $6 (I think. It very well could have been $8). I get that it’s “just” $6, but Evie likes bows….like, a lot. They also have a way of disappearing.Do you read Darby? I think this whole world reads her and rightfully so. She has a fancy, quick and easy bow tutorial on her blog. It is MAGICALLY easy and wonderful. If you remember back when I was making the ghost last October (another Darby project), I commented that I don’t sew or anything close to it. I can hot glue and that’s only some of the time. Guess what? That’s key in keeping your bows together.

So, I gathered my supplies and tried my luck……

My happy little [just woke up] bowhead.....

Did I mention she likes bows a WHOLE lot?

EVERYBODY goes to...

MILOS (if you’re from around these parts, you better have completed the subject line before you had time read it!)!! The Blacks are NO exception to this rule, nor is Evie. As picky as she is, she can down a Milos burger with the best of them. I love her for that- a girl after my own heart.

Even ol' Gus knows of its goodness....

Like a pig in mud

She LOVES to do this. No wonder she has 55,687,456 skeeter bites. Yes, as a matter of fact, she did “color” herself with blue chalk. Yep, I totally let her too. Yes, she is laying in the grass, partially colored blue and wearing a diaper. We live in Alabama.

Sweet laughter

Is laughter not so contagious, especially a child’s laughter? It’s my most favorite thing to do…. We had a friend over for dinner the other night and EB must have gotten into some happy juice because she was in RARE form. Who knew tearing napkins could be a barrel of laughs?!?!