Violet's 8th Birthday

A few fun memories from Sweet Violet's eighth birthday. Her actual birthday fell on Mother's Day, and we had fun celebrating together. We woke up early to go mini-golfing, and we went to a Japanese steak house for dinner. We had a little family cake at home.

Friends from far and wide came to Violet's Sno-Cone birthday party. It was her idea to serve Sno-Cones, and the whole family is still benefiting from owning a Sno-Cone machine!

Water Balloon Toss:

Mother's Day

Ran across this, which I wrote 2014 on Facebook in 2014, and didn't want to lose it. <3 <3 

To all of the mothers in my life; those who are, those who are yet-to-be, and those who have shown me the way:
For all the times you've patiently explained that frosting is not for breakfast, but that broccoli will give you super-powers. For the times you've sat on the toilet holding a wailing child because of an ill-timed injury. For that one time your toddler snuck a sip of your just-bought iced coffee, then spit it back into the cup because it was yucky. For all of the fruit snacks you've peeled off of the carseat, the bottom of your purse, the carpet, your husband. Allll of those fruit snacks. For that afternoon that you had arrowroot cookies and Gogurt for lunch at the park because your kids were having such a good time and you forgot to pack for yourself. For the permanent marker on your favorite handbag and you barely even yelled. For all the times you've counted to four. For giving up manicures and lattes so you could pay for ballet classes. For all of those late nights: comforting, disciplining, feeding, fretting, working. For all of the nights you've stood crying over your sleeping child's bed because of gratitude or guilt, each in their turn. For that sincere and heart-breaking plea you send out to the Universe and to the depths of your Soul every day, that you will be good enough. You are. Happy Mother's Day.

Halloween Trunk or Treat

Happy Halloween Week! I'm behind by at least 3 blog entries, but I'm going to start with this one and work my way back. We had so much fun yesterday carving pumpkins and Trunk or Treating with our friends the Ames Family (how did I manage NOT to get a picture of everyone??). Such a fun Halloween tradition- here are a few more pictures:

Violet's kitty cat pumpkin:

Daphne's "Little Heart" pumpkin:

Erik's Wolverine pumpkin:

Candy Princess:

Bat Girl:

An awesome cape (it's sparkly, too!):

Oh, I really should have cropped this:

Yep, should have cropped this too:

Yes! Cropped this one!

Rosie the Riveter, and a great shot of Candy Princess's tiara:

Bat Girl is pretty excited about winning the cupcake walk:

So is the Candy Princess (everyone's a winner!):

Our trunk, tricked out for treating:

Violet's First Day of First Grade

Happy first day of first grade, sweet Violet! We are very excited about her new school, and she is too. We got to spend Saturday morning and afternoon in her classroom helping her teacher prepare bulletin boards, sort books, arrange furniture, etc. It was just what we all needed; it helped us all to be familiar with the teacher and the space. Violet's teacher was lovely with the children who came on Saturday to help, so Violet was excited to go back. We have felt very welcome by everyone, and are hopeful for a great year.

Violet is just so much older this year! She is brave and confident, and came home reporting that she has already made friends. She wasn't emotionally exhausted when I picked her up- I could tell she was happy to see us, but she wasn't holding back tears like she was in Kinder. I feel so much relief; like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Amazing what a difference a year makes. Oh, except for me, because I still cried. Ha!

Hold the sign and smile!

Morning calls to and from grandparents:

She found her seat:

Wearing her nametag:

Goodbye sissy:

Goodbye Mommy:

Goodbye Daddy:

Oh, there's a Beard Papa's on the way home from school? 

And they are serving frozen custard puffs? 

Well how about that.

Celebratory cream puffs:

Violet's third lost tooth...

Violet lost her third overall tooth and first top tooth tonight at dinner. She was eating a burrito and I saw it fly out and hit the floor, but she didn't realize it at first and was surprised. It's funny, she is very emotional when she loses a tooth. She went from laughing to crying pretty quickly and spent some time in mama's lap. She later changed the story a little to have some control over a mildly scary situation (something about how she knew it came out and tried not to swallow it I think). Growing up is emotional. And very, very cute.

Mud Run

Erik and I did a 5k mud run on Saturday! It was the most difficult thing I've ever done. Talk about exhausted, sore... And proud! I climbed the walls I didn't think I would be able to climb, even though I was scared. It was fun, but totally gross! Not many pictures- we ran with absolutely nothing!