Lena is 6!

 My baby is 6?!?! It amazes me how time flies by and every year on her birthday I get a little sad that my baby is growing up! It's always fun picking a party theme with Lena because she loves everything and everyone but we settled on an art theme as she claims to be a 'Future Artist'! She loves her art projects and when you put markers or crayons and paper in front of her she just goes and creates whatever comes to her mind. A lot of the pictures that she brings home from school makes us smile. There's many of our family and the way she sees our family is the cutest! 

This birthday was a little different because of COVID this year; we're still in a pandemic and can't really have large gatherings or parties. So, we invited a few family members and had a great time! The weather was in the high 70's and beautiful which is rare for a November birthday. 

We may have drank too much punch but we painted pictures (some self portraits) and made and mixed A LOT of slime out on the patio in the sun! 

For Lena's cake we took melted, colored candy melts and made brush strokes on wax paper with a paint brush to stick on the sides of her cake. The cake flavor was almond, vanilla confetti. We splattered the left over candy melts on the cake with the paint brush and I think we had a lot of melted candy all over the kitchen.
Thankfully, Lena loved her cake! 

 

We found all of Lena's party supplies at Hobby Lobby; including the balloon garland. One day Laila and I ran in looking for something else and we came upon these party supplies and HAD to have them. They are so fun and colorful that we thought - these are Lena's party supplies! :) We also found a couple of cute things from Oriental Trading Co. like the art inspired stand to set food on and these cute, art palette picks that we used in our fruit cups but can really be used for several, different items. 

Because of COVID lots of the activities the girls love have been canceled and put on hold. We're looking forward to when Lena can get back in to swimming lessons and gymnastics. She's doing an incredible job in Kindergarten and she's learning so much. We recently had a meeting with her teacher and were so proud to hear how amazingly well she's adjusting and expanding her knowledge; not to mention how great of a friend and helper she is in class. You always hope your child is practicing all of the things you teach them at home but you never know until you talk with their teacher how well they're actually getting along and making you proud. 

Lena loves Barbie right now; Garfield, Captain Underpants and Peppa Pig. She has a sweet and tender heart and you always know how much she loves you because she makes it a point to tell you several times a day which I love. When she gets mad - watch out, because you'll know. Most of the time when this happens though, she just needs a hug. Don't we all? 

Here's to hoping that year #6 is way, more fun! I love you kid beyond words. We were blessed with the best gift when God chose you to be ours and I hope that you always feel that love from us. You make us laugh so much and you bring absolute joy to our lives each and every day. The sun was shining big the day you were born. 

xoxo, 

Mommy

COVID-19 and the Pandemic of 2020

I wanted to document this time because hopefully it will happen only once in our lifetime; once in the girls lifetime. The pandemic that rocked our world and continues to wreak havoc for so many people and families this year, 2020. 

Laila's birthday back in March was the last time that we saw some of our family. It was right when the airlines started taking precautions and the schools announced that they would be closing. Our work schedules were altered and we started working mostly from home. We are both fortunate enough to keep our jobs right now whereas many Americans have lost their jobs and are out of work. 

For the first month or so of quarantine it rained so much. We kept a schedule and Laila's teacher sent several assignments to complete each day (thankfully!). She navigated the assignments so well but as for the rest of the day it was hard to keep busy and with all the rain it was difficult to get out and enjoy outside. This was one of the first days we actually got out and was able to enjoy some fresh, spring air. 

We had gotten so much rain that our field was flooded and almost looked like a lake. The girls put on their boots and waded through the water and enjoyed the fresh air. 

Laila got to have Zoom meetings with her teacher and classmates and she participated in a summer book club to keep her reading skills moving over the summer. All of the spring, school activities were canceled and the kids didn't get to tell their teachers or friends good-bye which would at times weigh on Laila's heart during these months. We were able to set up Facetime calls with friends so that they could 'see' each other and chat. It helped a little but it didn't replace the daily interaction they had with each other. On nice days we were able to have picnics outside and take a break and go for a hike in the woods. The girls and I did a lot of baking and making messes together too! Laila even got Student of the Month for the month of March! We made some bread to take to some of our teacher friends and we bought teacher gifts to drop off on their porch as an end of year thank you for everything they did through this time of uncertainty. 

At the end of March we were able to visit Papa Hammond at his Assisted Living and tell him Happy Birthday through the window. Nobody was allowed out; especially the older folks that were more at risk of catching the virus. Four months later we're still waiting to celebrate his 92nd birthday.....

We played outside any chance we got; took bike rides, Lena learned how to fish (somewhat) and we've been able to get out and pick berries as some mandates have relaxed. We've made S'mores many times at Mamaw and Papaw's and Travis has even built our own fire pit in our yard during this time. For the first time, I really enjoy S'mores now and feel that using Reese Thins between the marshmallows and graham crackers tastes the best! The girls have gotten creative with their playtime and they were forced to kind of grow up too fast during this time. So when times called for slumber parties in the hallway - we had slumber parties in the hallway!

Easter was really different this year. We had to watch Easter service on TV and we had a very, small Easter dinner at home with just our family. Quarantine didn't stop the Easter bunny from hiding eggs or stopping by - thank goodness! Although different for us, I don't think the kids noticed. We still colored Easter eggs and colored pictures that were sent from church. 

And also, for Mother's Day we visited my mom and had brunch in; very relaxing day. 

Laila and I were able to get out to the store to find some fairy garden treasures to make our own fairy garden. It was a fun project and we love checking in on the fairies here and there to see how they're getting along in their new garden. 

 

It was kind of a big year for Lena because she was to graduate Pre-K and tell her teachers and friends good-bye that she had been with for the past 5 years of her life! With all of the uncertainties and mandates on childcare her graduation kept getting pushed back and we weren't sure if we'd ever experience this special time for her. It created a lot of frustration for me and some anxiety because I wasn't sure we'd get there for her. BUT! We were able to get it scheduled and it was on a day that we had scattered storms; the sky was literally black driving to her graduation. When we got there the rain held off JUST in time for her to take her last ride, see her friends and hug her teacher one, last time. We got some great pictures of her also that I was SO happy and grateful for! We were all SO excited for her and I KNOW she was happy to see her friends; they picked right up where they left off months ago. 

 

We also were finally able to have Lena's eye surgery scheduled once some of the restrictions were relaxed at the hospitals and outpatient procedures could resume. We had been waiting years for this and it was finally happening - so many emotions! Lena was resilient of course; did much better than I would have and it went SO well. I prayed SO hard for her and her doctors and we couldn't be more thankful for how it turned out for her and SO proud of her for handling it like a complete champ! She'll remember this and remember how strong she was too. 

Afterwards she said, 'mommy, the hospital wasn't so bad at all - I got these new, fuzzy socks and that bed was super comfy!' 

Due to the virus and having to be 'quarantined' our summer/fall plans to travel have been derailed. We plan to stick around home and make the best of what's left (hopefully) of this challenging time. Although most days have been fine and most days I've been so thankful for our time together as a family; there have been trying days as well. Days I've lost my patience, and days I've felt like a terrible mom for not understanding all of the emotions and feelings that play in to the mundane everyday; just trying to stay afloat most days and continue to live and learn as we go along. 

For Father's Day I wanted to have Trav's photo taken with the girls. I did it a few years back for Mother's Day so I wanted him to have his time. They turned out SO pretty! He definitely has shown more patience and forgiveness of everything during this time. I KNOW that I don't know what I would do without him! He's our guy, for sure. 

Most of our days look like this, hanging in the yard, making our own fun and catching frogs (even the big, creepy ones)!  

We'll be doing a lot of camping this summer and just finding creative ways to celebrate at home while we look forward to the possibility for travel and fun times next year. Some days are easier than others for sure, but we just take one day at a time and for me, I take a deep breath and be reminded of ALL our blessings and that this too, shall pass. The family time that we've spent together will forever be cherished; we really made the most of it and somehow found a way to see the joy in each and every day. 

xoxo always, 

Mom 

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away - Laila is 8!

We'll look back on this birthday as being a little different. Thankfully, Laila was able to celebrate with her classmates before they were dismissed from school and some of our family members weren't able to attend her party due to the Coronavirus pandemic effecting our lives right now. It's hard for the kids to understand that this is a once in a lifetime experience; that we've never experienced something like this in our lives, nor has the oldest person in our family ever experienced something like this. We'll look back on this birthday, as we look back on all of them with a full heart that we were still able to celebrate; that we are healthy, happy and most importantly, together. 

Laila chose a galaxy theme for her party. She's interested in the solar system right now; how it all works and fits together. How far away the sun is from the earth and if you traveled to the sun, would you ever make it? Not to mention the colors are WAY cool. 

The girls love 'snack plates' - these are full meals to them. They love little foods on a plate and surprisingly they like to share. So, I created a huge 'snack plate' for all to share - they're commonly called 'grazing tables' and they cause people to keep going back for more, to continue to graze! I hit up Trader Joes who often has some unique snacks, cheeses and dips to include and added my fruits and vegetables and a couple small sandwiches. Laila loved the star-shaped bologna sandwiches; her favorite. It's a fun way to have a 'meal' without all of the prep and big food especially for a birthday party. 

Laila requested a cake, of course! And cookies are always a must. The galaxy desserts were 'out of this world' - ha! 

"Happy Birthday, dear Laila, Happy Birthday to you." 

Her favorite gift was of course, the Celebration Slime Kit! BIG set with lots of different, kinds of slime. A slime kids dream come true. A slime to make for every day of the school week. 

Another year down, not sure where the time goes and another year that we're blessed with our sweet girl. 

She's growing in to a super, young lady who likes to keep her room organized and loves to be enthusiastic about her school work. Eight years ago our star was born and in so many ways she shines bright in a world that often can be dark. We couldn't be more proud of her and we love you, Laila, to infinity and beyond! 

Love, 

Mom