Wow, Such a Change

Pre-K Photo (Fall)

Pre-K Photo (Spring)


...and here I thought two photo shoots in one school year was just excessive. My cynical-leaning mind was just shouting, oh sure, more money for the photo companies. We never had two photos taken when I was a kid, etc, etc, etc... But wow, what a change I see here!! Right here before my eyes and I didn't even notice until I just placed these two photos side by side. Wow, Nora you really do look different! I'm a bit floored, actually. You look almost baby-ish in your Fall photo from 2013 and undeniably girl-ish in your Spring one from 2014. And it's not just your looks that are different. You're now much less reserved, less unsure, much MORE talkative and super inquisitive to boot!!! And, *sigh*, much less the little toddler/baby/tadpole you once were :'(

However, Nora, you are still my first little darling and nobody can EVER change that. Much love to you Little P!! You're the bestest!!

xoxo
Mom

40 before 40...a bit at a time

a new set of goals, though some remain the same...only adding when i think of things worthy

1. knit my own socks
2. find a church and become a member
3. crochet myself a cardigan
4. renew wedding vows (10 yrs)
5. host mom/kid sleepover
6. buy a house
7. learn to use a sewing machine
8. learn to play the violin
9. grow my own tomatoes
10. eat more family dinners at the table
11. adopt a dog
12. learn to speak Flemish/Dutch

Visual Queue 01.14

Bulky Stacked Shell Cowl

Mike the Monster

Chi Chi Bean Tambourines

Nora's Nativity

Me & Nora Time

I recently sneaked in some time, just for me and my eldest girl. I am SO very happy that I did :) We spent some creative time together at our local pottery painting place.

Nora made a drippy cone and I made a few tiny treasures. I absolutely savored each minute that we spent. Our one-on-one is far too scarce.

It felt so good to reconnect with my girl. Especially since she is in school now. She is starting to become a part of this great, wide world. It's been a bit tough letting go.

Honestly though, she is doing so well. She makes me so proud every day. Still, it feels nice having her all to myself. Even for only an hour.

Just Getting Started

So far Fall has been full of great things. My mom and I took the girls to kiddie park, my bff and I went to a local spot for some festive fun and Nick and I will be taking the girls to look for pumpkins soon :) Oh how I love this time of year. I've been making a huge effort to take advantage of the season.

 

I've also decided to push the reset button on some things here at home. I'm taking the Orange Rhino Challenge. There's a badge to the left of this post, if you'd like to check it out. It's a challenge to eliminate the yelling and show more of the loving. Needless to say, I LOVE my kids but sometimes the stress and negativity get in the way of me showing them that. I'm taking this challenge b/c I believe it can improve my relationship with my girls and they are so WORTH that.

Another fun thing that I'm doing this Fall is participating in some Ami Swaps. I crochet an amigurumi and mail it to someone in the group and they do the same for me. Here's what I got in the mail last month :) Super cute!!! I don't have any photos of the ami that I sent but it was a little bird. I've signed up for two swaps this October. I can't wait to get started making them :)