The Mother of Geese

Amelia had a tooth coming in behind her tooth it was turned the one in front blue. It was sort of awesome looking.

Abbie's first day of school August 2010 Abbie's last day of school May 2011 The last day of school also happened to land on national donut day (score!)

Amelia's first day of kindergarten September 2010 Amelia's last day of kindergarten May 2011 Amelia, Ms. Howell, and Mr. Thelar. Stop Growing Now Amelia!

In March I made the executive decision to pull Max from preschool. His teachers weren't exactly begging me to change my mind and I was so over the battle of getting him to agree to school. Max had been pretty miserable in his class so when I told him it was his choice he didn't give school a second thought. One Saturday Amelia announced she was going to stay in her pajamas all day long since she didn't have to go to school. Max also announced he would stay in his pajamas because he didn't have school either. Amelia was quick to point out the truth of the situation to her brother. Amelia: Max you stay in your pajamas everyday because you quit school. You are a quitter. You are not going to be smart like Hazen because you are a quitter. Quitter. The finisher and the quitter Uncombed cousins Mama's little dropout. I had a little celebration for Hazen for sticking with the whole year. Finisher party nosh: Cheese, crackers, raisins, chocolate cupcakes, swedish fish, root...

It was a little chilly and crazy crowded but it was SO magical to see! Max was grumpy because we made him turn around and he wanted to watch the balloon. I love his face! Brad and I laughed heartily at this picture of the chubby storm trooper This year they had Darth Vader. Max was beyond excited!

This cake took forever to bake, but it was so festive and fun it was worth it! I love the pride that Abbie has in her mad decorating skillz!

We got the best seats ever this year! I know I say this every year, but I love Strawberry Days! Its something the kids look forward to all year long.

After Mariko left, we didn't really know what to do with ourselves for the first couple of days. We sort of laid around in a mourning daze and it looked like this.

I can't even begin to talk about how much we have loved having Mariko in our home. She was seriously the best we could have ever wished for. We were so blessed all year.

I asked Amelia to please wash her hands for dinner. Instead she: Put on her Home Depot Apron. Put on her cousins cape. Put on her hat. Took my shoes off. Put them on her feet. And then went downstairs to play with Mariko.

Max was not in the mood for church today. But he sure looked cute wearing a sweater that Bradfo wore when he was little.

Abbie was teasing Max and irritating him one day after school. I watched it all play out hoping they would solve it without my intervention. Max lured Abbie outside. Came back inside. Locked (hawked) the door. . Ate her cookie. Watched her reaction Awesome

Abbie's class had an assignment to recreate a US symbol. We figured the class would be full to the gills with flags and Washinton monuments. She decided she wanted to do the US seal. On cake. So I whipped up some Black Eyed-Peas. (seems like appropriate history type food) Listened to the Black Eyed Peas. And set her to work. She is crazy talented. Notice the seal she printed from the internet and her practice copy to her side. She used a chopstick to draw the images. Then Williams and Sonoma decorater pens did the rest of the magic. And yes, she received full credit.

I asked Amelia to please finish her bagel. Instead she: Found some blue painters tape and decided to play with it for awhile. When she grew bored of that she crumpled it up into a ball. Then she found some toothpicks. Then she put the rest of her bagel on the toothpicks. Then she was finished.

Max really enjoyed a day dedicated to wearing green and doing mischief. Obviously.

Brad really wanted to go see the La Brea Tar Pits. I really wanted to make the kids pretend like they were trapped animals. The nailed their roles after being stuck in the car for so long.

I don't remember having this picture taken (it must have been Amelia) but I when I first discovered it I couldn't take my eyes off of it. I didn't recognize the woman in the picture. (never mind the hair color). She seemed so old, so tired, and so sad. I wouldn't necessarily describe myself in that manner, but as I watch my children grow and develop into their own beings I realize they don't need me like they used to. My days are still consumed with their well being, struggles, and happiness. But as they are maturing and growing, as they should, their need for me is diminishing and I am having a difficult time adjusting. It's heartbreaking. A few months ago I felt the whisperings to take time to enjoy the little things and let everything else go. I needed to hunker down and just be still so that I can be present for those moments when they do need me to "mama them". I imagined myself like a bird watcher this winter waiting for the elusive sightings of ...

...is brought to you by the letter D D- I gave them a Dollar. To get a Donut on the way to Discovery Park. We came home and Did the Dishes then went to Dinosaur Museum. I can't wait for summer!