Kindergarten Kid

Y'all she's our third and she is by far the most excited kindergartener I've EVER, in the history of EVER, met.  She loves school and can't wait to go every morning and see what new adventures await.  Do you remember how exciting it is to get to take your lunch box to school?  or to get to buy lunch and a carton of milk? or to get to play in the gym for PE?  what about recess?  new friends?  and Oh. My. Stars. getting to go to the bathroom by yourself?  Whoa!  Can hardly contain the excitement in this little curly headed, blue-eyed bundle of expressive wonder.  Everything is "the best thing EVER!!!"

I will say, we all enjoyed her enthusiasm in the first fire drill of the year.  Lydia was so excited to come home and tell us that she was going to have a fire drill the next day.  As in, SUPER EXCITED! not just super excited. 

She told us that she would have a fire drill but she was a little nervous about the fire.  When we explained there would NOT be any actual fire, she was a little surprised and couldn't wait to get back to tell her friends her new found information.  She asked if we thought there would atleast be smoke.  I assured her there would be no fire or smoke but that there would be a loud bell.  She seemed perplexed but ready for whatever this firedrill thing would bring her way. 

Before bed we were laying out her clothes for the next day, fire drill day, and  she said "Should I wear red for fire or black for smoke, Mama?  I guess I could wear either and then wear my fire hat."  I told her that was a great idea and she decided to settle for the black and white striped shirt (to match the smoke) with her red fire hat for the next day.  Unfortunately, she left her hat in the car when we dropped her off but she had a "fabulous" time at fire drill day despite no hat.

Each of my kiddos loves school in different ways and excels in different areas, we encourage and learn with them - I'm hoping Lydia learns to love learning this year, learns to read and continues to grow into the unique woman she was created to be...and the next time there is a fire drill, you can bet she'll wear red to match the fire this time.

Day 1 - She's off.  I had to miss her first day because I was at work but Daddy sent me this sweet pic as she headed off to new adventures.  It's been 2 weeks and she's still EXCITED!

Lucy's 9th interview

Favorite color - blue
Favorite book - Harry Potter
Favorite movie - Cinderella
Favorite thing I did with my family this year - Sarasota with friends
Favorite foods - sushi, seafood alfredo, gumbo, chicken divan
Favorite number - 12
Who is your best friend? - Anahi, Nora, Faryn, Chandler, Kira
Favorite game - chess, hide-n-go-seek
Favorite thing to play or do in free time - computer games, read
Favorite person to play with - Nathaniel, Anahi, Nora, Faryn, Chandler, Kira
 What do you want to be when you grow up? - An engineer with a PhD, architect, teacher
Where in the world do you want to visit? Ireland, Mexico, Brazil, China, Australia, New Zealand
What are you most grateful for? My wonderful family
What is your favorite holiday?  Thanksgiving and Christmas
 What is your favorite type of flower?  Hibiscus
 What have you enjoyed learning about this year? anything involving math like graphs and measuring
 What kind of car do you want when you grow up?  a Camaro and a Honda Odessey
 What is your favorite dance move or type? I just dance
What is your favorite song?  Shake it Off, Wildest Dreams, Starman by Bowie
 What is one thing you want to do this year? how to ride my bike, cross country car trip
 What do you want to learn how to do better?  swim and take pictures
If you could tell your 25 year old self something what would you say? "Persevere and don't let fear stop you or your dreams from coming true"
If you were to perform in a talent contest - what would you do?  hula hoop
What is your favorite chore? Least favorite? favorite is walking the dog and least favorite cleaning room
What is your favorite outfit to wear? my blue t-shirt with the blue and teal long sweater

Sweetness

She took a nap in big brother's bed, holding the panda bear he gave her for Valentine's Day while he was at school.  Sweet siblings

I needed some laughs today...maybe you do too

He has my heart

Look mama, no hands!!

He just stopped right in the middle of the foyer and stood up.  He was pleased with himself, he tried to reach for the dog, waved his arms in the air and did it over and over.  It won't be long and he'll take off...

TIMBER!!!!

Last year lightning literally hit this tree and our house (and everything that runs on electricity in in - everything). Today we're finally having it taken down before it falls on our neighbor's house (fyi, endless entertainment for my kiddos).  That scarred trunk died quickly and has attracted many wanting to give quotes on how much we could pay them to take it down. 

When we bought our house it had just been hit by lightning and most major things replaced. "Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice" was a hope but nothing more than an old wives tale. It struck again...literally and metaphorically in our lives in 2015.

It's just a date on a calendar but I'm hoping 2016 is a year of cleaning up and figuring out how to live in light of LIFE and the truth that shines on our scars and mess...not trying to escape from it.  Funny thing is....lightning will probably strike again, and scar and hurt and leave a mess but there is comfort that there is ONE who walks with us through it all.  He is my HOPE...not old wives tales.

Timber!