The kids had their last day of school and their Christmas party yesterday.  I know I go on and on about Texas and the amazing people but............THEY TRULY ARE! 

Miss Norris secretly compiled a special book for Max and Sophie with photographs of every student.  Each classmate drew a picture and wrote a special note.  I think 90% of the pictures had Max and Sophie standing next to each other holding hands.  I had to stop looking because the pages were becoming blurred by my tears.  All the Mom's and Dad's encouraged us and wished us the very best. 

I am just a little speck on this earth but God makes me and my family feel so special and so loved.  I deserve so much less, yet I ride "the gravy train" day after day.   

Thank you Durham Dragons.  We will see you in a couple of years!  D U R H A M.....
D R A G O N S!!!!!

Sophie loves the crazy boys!  One of the Mom's cornered me and told me that when her son heard the news of Sophie and Max moving, her son said "Oh man, Sophie laughs at all my jokes."

                                                                  My boys! 

We love you Miss Norris!  The sweetest, prettiest, kindest, most supportive, most    encouraging teacher in the whole wide world!

Max came home from school today and said "Mom, I have something for you".  He proceeded to dig through his pockets and pull out pieces of leaves, dried up dandelions and weeds.  He said "Mom, I picked this bouquet for you at recess but it got smooshed". 

Isn't it a beautiful mess?

Can someone please tell me when six year olds started giving their parents "attitude"?  I thought I had at least six more years before I had to deal with the roller coaster of emotions.  I was a moody "sun of a gun" when I was a teenager but not at six. 

Dan is so patient with Sophie while I want to tell her to "get a grip girl".  The following three pictures were taken within 3 seconds of each other. 

This is my life with my adorably charming, sweet, loving, funny, moody six year old daughter.  God bless her!  and me! 

She has two amazing boys in her life that love her to pieces. 

As I type this, my sweet curly girl has fallen asleep on the couch.  I glance over at her and I couldn't love her any more if I tried.  I have ALWAYS felt that we "get"  each other.  I love having a daughter like Sophie and at this moment, as I look at these pictures, I even love her moods.  She is never boring.

Sophie girl, be gentle to your Mom.....especially the teen years. 

Max walked gingerly off the school bus cupping his little hand.  "Mom, I lost my first tooth on the bus!"  "What.....M A X......tell me all about it".  I listened to his very special story, a little distracted by the blood smeared on his front teeth.   Max got more and more excited as I smiled and listened bursting out with cheers every now and again.   

Max knows a lot about tooth fairy's.  Let me educate you; they live in houses made from the baby teeth they collect, they have a key to every childs house in the world, they have glitter on their wings, and they are very shy.  Just in case you were wondering.

Sophie has missed a week of school and Max is finally admitting that he misses her.  Today he drew a little picture of her; brown curly hair and all.  He then folded it just so and put it in his pocket.  I said "Is that a picture of Sophie?"  He said "yes, I am putting it  in my pocket to keep me company at school." 

After the morning rush which involves getting the kids on the bus and my man sent off with a kiss.  I went about my daily routine of washing the breakfast dishes.  I kept on feeling like someone was watching me.........I was right.  Check him out.

I got to thinking how quickly we adjust to life.  Dan and I were married for 10 years before we had kids.  We were very used to doing what we wanted when we wanted.  The house was usually quite clean, there were no landmines of army men to step on, "my little ponies" to pick up, or squirrels stuck in lampshades. 

Life has changed......for the better.  I am going to miss all their little toys when they are past "the toy" stage.  I decided to grab my camera and walk around the house and see what I could find.  It's all about the little things in life and these little things gave me a laugh.  Here is a glimpse into a six year olds creative mind, untouched by Mommy.  . 

I think these army men are out of luck, that dog could eat them for lunch.......

Is that a rat on your book?  (Great book, kids loved it).

Take note of the party kazoo's taped onto the banner.  Sophie said,  "that way, I can blow them when I wake up".  What a great attitude.  I hope I wake up tomorrow feeling like blowing my kazoo!

Max loves to put his shoes next to Dad's shoes.  Those are quite big shoes to fill Max but I know you are capable......

"My fish need company", said Sophie.

 Our T-ball season came to an end last night.   After a great game the team headed over to "Fat Daddy's" for a burger and celebration.  Coach Finley sat right next to Max and congratulated him on a great season while Max listened intently, just waiting for that trophy.  His eyes lit up when coach handed it to him. (I think the main reason why he signed up for T-ball was to get a trophy.) 

On the way home in the car Max said "Coach Finley is my adult friend".  Max had a great season and we had an awesome coach along with the most amazing kids and parents.  It was such a joy to go to the games on the weekends.   Thank you for a memorable season  Riverdogs.....ruff, ruff, ruff!

Don't you want to know what they are talking about?  They love to meet every weekend while their brothers play t-ball.  They greet each other with an enthusiastic "hi" and then run away in a little cluster.  They love to play in the sand and talk about what, I don't know.......until today.  I was snapping some pictures and overheard  them trying to come up with a special name for their club.  Sophie said "let's call it the Peyton, Macy and Sophie club".  Peyton agreed.  Macy wasn't sold on that name and said "let's call it the PMS club".  They all said "oh that's good".  I laughed out loud.  Hey, I am a member of that club every month.

I woke to a hot cup of Starbuck's coffee along with some yummy treats from Panera Bakery.  I am a Starbuck's junkie so this was quite a treat for me.  Dan took the day off and I kept the kids home from school to celebrate my 40th Birthday.  It was glorious. 

I asked Dan for a new "snazzy" camera for my Birthday and the man delivered.  Although, the first box that I opened was a "homemade" version of said camera.  I love practical jokes and Dan is the king of practical jokes.  Check out the camera that Dan and Max made for me.

We grabbed lunch and took a drive so I could yell to Dan "stop the car" and my family would get out of the car and pose for me.  They were very good about getting in and out of the car.  Thank you Dan, Max and Sophie for a wonderful Birthday. 

Wasn't there a movie made recently about "mean girls"?  I have heard from girlfriends about their struggles with their kids at school or with other neighborhood kids.  I listened but  I guess I didn't think I would have to worry about this with my kids since they were only six years old.  Wrong.

We have  our first "mean girl"  situation on our hands and it is breaking my heart.  They say the first five years of your child's life are physically challenging, the next 100 are mentally challenging.   I agree.  Sophie just can't understand why this little girl at school doesn't want to be her friend and why she is so mean to her.  She has shared with me over the last month different situations and I have listened and we have tried to come up with solutions, all to no avail. 

I have noticed this week that Sophies sunshiney personality wasn't as bright.  I couldn't put my finger on it but I felt like something was wrong.  When she came home from school yesterday, she broke down and cried big, fat, crocodile tears.  I comforted her and cried right along with her.

I must be honest and admit that I am scared.  This is the beginning of many, many hurts and heartaches.    Am I up for this?  Will I say the right things?  Will I comfort the way she needs to be comforted?  Will I  inflate or deflate her struggles?   My reaction is so important.   I read something recently that could not be more true;

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous,
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside of your body"
-Elizabeth Stone

My heart feels so unprotected and vulnerable right now.   Lord, give me the words and the wisdom to guide Sophie.  Help her to find her identity in You and not in the world.