Recapping January to April 2014...backwards

Yes, kindergarten has brought on so much stuff...friends, bad words, actual "work" (as Ava calls it) to do at school, their minds wander around to bad weird places, they challenge your ideals, patience, understanding, mothering skills, your relationship with your husband, your own mental state, they start understanding the world around them, but still confuse movies & reality (Ava is currently convinced we have kidnapped her from her real royal family & is a princess---you know, like Rapunzal--she keeps quietly making comments to me wondering if maybe that's her-- especially when she is in trouble). They need you, but then don't. They point out every flaw about everyone!! I've been told some real doozies about myself lately....should I go on, or have you heard enough?

Oh & back to the bad words...Ava heard the F word & is now obsessed with it. "Mommy, I'm thinking about that f word again!" sigh

"Mommy, I prayed that Julien doesn't get in trouble at school any more"

hhhhhmmmm....I wonder why we wait until bed time to practice reading with Ava...it's so hard for adults to be patient with this whole learning to read process. 

Today the Seton kids rocked The Musicians of Bremen play. These were two cute dancing flowers who had one line...Ava managed to get hers out while she was putting her shoe back on! ha. So proud of these girls & their willingness to stand in front of a crowd...

I had to go check to see if she ran away. This NEVER happens. 6:30am & she's still asleep in her own bed...

I love how I can get my husband to call me back in 3 seconds flat (because those of us who know him well, know he doesn't answer or call...ever!), "my steering wheel airbag light is flashing, I'm on my way to the dealer to have them fix my power steering (which is going out & I know he can fix)"....3,2,1...ring!!!!

That's right, this is my (lame) view, BUT!!! I'm eating lunch on my back porch in the sun & WARMTH...

Some days I wonder what my daughter will remember about me...will she remember a fun, happy, strong, not afraid to be silly mom, or will she remember the mom who has those bad days that made her write notes to me saying, "about mom's...they are mad" or the "mom, bad report." We try so hard to make our kid's childhoods so perfect, and unfortunately, I think the bad days stick out in their minds. I have many good days, but damn, I make my bad days epic.

We recruited friends for a nail day. They seem terrified...

Three things here....1) favorite read of the moment 2) my five year old can read the entire thing by herself 3) i get an award for sitting through the entire 20 minutes it took her to finish without losing my patience (I guess it's silverstein, who can lose patience with his poetry)

This is what Happiness looks like to me...

Morning prayer at school today. I am so proud of my girl...she can read like a 2nd grader & speak clearer than some adults...

Appreciating art...with ice cream, of course...(with Ava J. & Finley)

19 years ago today, Dejan & I decided in a crowded bar while drinking green beer that we couldn't stop talking to each other. We spent the evening sitting in a booth as the rest of the world stumbled by. Tonight we sit as a family eatin...g dinner watching a Barbie movie...not quite like things used to be...but I wouldn't change any crazy, fun, angry, happy, sad, loving moment. St. Patrick's Day holds a great moment we never forget.See More

 

 
You see, I have this deal with my neighbors...if Charlie comes to my front door, he gets to cut through my house when he's pissed off all the squirrels in my yard...safe passage, only problem, he likes to prowl my house before leaving...

"Aaaaahhhh, it just feels so good to be in this big open space & not have all that house around us! It's so much better out here! I want it like this forever!!!" Even a five year old knows winter sucks.

FINALLY!!!! a park day... (with Johnson kids)

Conversation with 5 year old...She was inquisitive about tampons, then inquisitive about why I call it a period. I explain it's actually called menstration, she then stares at me & asks, "why? Shouldn't it be girlstration?"...deep thoughts went on for a few seconds...I reply, "well that's because it's as annoying as men." oopsie.

A clear sign A is our daughter...a night stand says so much about a person. A rock collection, The Hobbit, Palace Pets. 5 year old perfection..

 

It was a cold snowy day, but I was feeling the warmth of love from family & friends today! Thanks for the FB wishes, phone calls, cards,&  presents. Love you all! Although, do wish the FaceTime call with Kevin Humble, Pamela, & Kelly would have been a real walk all together on that beautiful beach...  

39!!

 

 

 

After 82 degrees we decided to keep it real & went ice skating for the first time ever...(in des moines)

 

 This is where we found 82 degrees (Des Moines botanical center)...aaaahhhh!!! 

 

These lights shine in every season, & as a new blanket of snow is occurring, I look out there & remind myself of all the warm evenings soon to come...which involve my front porch & not hiding behind a closed door in the heat with a cozy robe & slippers on. I want bare feet, crickets, thunderstorms...

After Ava's amazing school conference today I believe I got the world's biggest backhanded compliment from my hubby..."Well, you know, she got her looks from you, but her brain from me"...after a hard stare from me..."What!? I'm not that good looking!" *sigh*...better for me to just walk away...

We have begun our hiking...

This is what happens to children after they have eaten too much sugar at a valentine party...good grief! 

Two things happen when I am asked to play barbies with Ava: 1. When I begin a dialogue, she stares at me like I am an ignoramus. 2. After she finds the courage to finally cut me off, she starts being so bossy that I have to just sit there holding a doll. 

Everybody has all these beautiful valentine pictures, and this is mine; this is real life at my house. When mom is sick, things fall apart,  guess what, we are going swimming with friends instead of taking care of this mess.  YIKES...

I like that after almost 20 years I still get excited when I randomly run into my husband at the store.... yes, after 20 years you stop telling each other where you're at.

By February, winter has me eating plates of melted cheese followed by a bowl of out of season blah raspberries...you know, to make up for the horribleness of the cheese platters. I am in need of a season change, but rather proud of myself for making it until February before cracking.

new girl's night...wild has a whole new meaning these days.  (ava j & finley)

I love working at my daughter's school & getting to see her in the halls... 

 If you can't beat 'em, join 'em...I have been reduced to a barbie dance party gone wild...

Befana has filled Ava's stocking, the only lights left on are the Christmas lights, the wind is howling, our old drafty house is creaking in the cold wind, & for some odd reason I feel like this is my favorite moment all Christmas season. Buona Notte.